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Archiver > ESSEX-UK > 2004-02 > 1076064368


From: "Clive Holden" <>
Subject: Re: reading fiche
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2004 10:46:08 -0000
References: <4022A9E8.9040002@virgin.net>


Hi all!

SNIP
>
> Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2001 15:22:41 +0300
> From: Richard Griffiths <>
> To:
> Message-ID: <>
> Subject: Viewing fiche with Intel microscope
>
> Being unable to obtain a fiche viewer I have been watching the threads
> about viewing wth the Intel microscope and decided to check it out at my
> local store. The following are my own personal views and observations. I
> am not connected with Intel or any other computer related business.
>
> The microscope is plastic in construction with a circular flat platform
> (about 100mm diameter) to support the object being viewed. Magnification
> is 10x, 60x, 200x + ?. Focusing is via a manual knob on the side of the
> instrument.
>
> With the fiche that I used as an experiment I found that 10x was too
> small but that at 60x the text was clearly visible and readable. However
> only about 12 entries were visible in any view and a magnification
> between these two would have been useful.
>
> There is no way of holding and moving the object except by hand so the
> positioning and re-positioning is tiresome. To search for a particular
> name would be almost impossible and it would be hard to even move the
> fiche to locate a date given, for example, by the IGI.
>
> It is possible to take an image and save it as a file and it would be
> possible to then stitch images together to reproduce the whole page.
> However, this task would be time consuming and the action of moving the
> fiche to view the adjacent text would be difficult.
>
> In conclusion I have decided that it is not viable, even though the
> alternative is still to be unable to view my fiches.
>
> I do have to say that it is quite good at what it does, though. If your
> kids are interested in exploring the details of life they would enjoy it
> !
>
>

As an alternative why not phone your local reference library and ask if the
have a fiche reader / printer, book it for an hour or two and print off the
images. Or, just buy a second hand reader. You can pick them up for
peanuts!! I sold one last year for £10!

Clive Holden (Kent GB)




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