I've been inactive in this blogging thing for the past few days since I have been busy at work and I will even be busier next week. I will be going out of town to take care of some important matters and I'm planning to bring with me my Sony Microcassette Recorder so I can just dictate my blogs (that is, if something comes to mind) while I'm on the road then I'll just transcribe it afterwards.
Speaking of data conversion, this method may come in handy in your freelance projects when converting images into text. Instead of doing it manually, using an OCR is quicker and less tedious. Before, I've searched for free OCRs in the internet not knowing that I already have one in my computer. Most computers already have this but I don't think many people use it as frequently as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. Here's five easy steps to convert images into text:
Step 1: Open Microsoft Office Document Imaging
Go to Start >> All Programs >> Microsoft Office >> Microsoft Office Tools >> Microsoft Office Document Imaging
Step 2: Select an Image for Data Conversion
In this case, I just opened a scanned document in PDF. Click the Select Tool. Highlight and copy the data that you want to convert into text.
Step 3: Paste Data in Microsoft Office Document Imaging
Click Page and select Paste Page or simply hold Ctrl + Shift + V.
Step 4: Use OCR to Recognize Text
Just click the eye icon to recognize the text using OCR.
Step 5: Copy and Paste Data in Word
After recognizing the text using OCR, you may paste the data in Word, Notepad, or Wordpad if you like.
Since these OCRs are not as smart as humans (ok there may be some exceptions), they are not always accurate so you still need to check it for any possible errors but at least you saved a lot of time converting pages of scanned documents into digital text. Hope you find this useful as it helped me a lot.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Data Conversion Using OCR
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Scam Alert
I hate to admit it but I am often lured by those websites that promise huge sums of money. I mean, who wouldn’t be? If you can earn that amount “even while you sleep”, then why not, right? They even got these flashy 30-day money-back-guarantee seals and promo countdown timers that mysteriously don’t run out of time. Well hear this, the moment you pay for those, it’s either you won’t hear a thing from them anymore or you’ll get a bunch of manuals in your email teaching you how to make a new website similar to theirs. Sure, you’ll get what they promised, a thousand dollars a day, but it’s stealing from other people for crying out loud! You can count me out ‘cause I still have my halo stuck above my head.
It is always best to do your homework first before joining any program in the internet. Conduct a thorough research to see if there are any negative reviews of a certain website. Always take extra precautions. In case you have been a victim of these scams, you may file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau or if you are too lazy to do that, you can just charge it to experience. No biggie!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Getting Started as a Freelancer
Join Freelance Sites
All of these sites have free and paid membership. Of course, paid memberships have more privileges but that doesn’t mean free members won’t get their share of success. You can start by signing up for free and as soon as you have built a strong profile, you may then upgrade your membership status. Make sure to read and follow their terms to avoid being banned on the site. (Scrap that! Just click on “I Agree” and you’re all set.)
Know Thyself
Assess your skills and interests. What is your field of expertise? What do you want to do?
| I am good in… | Maybe you can try… |
| Speaking | Voice Over |
| Writing | Copywriting |
| Selling | Telemarketing |
| Typing | Data Entry |
| HTML | Website Design |
| Japanese | Translation |
| Art | Logo Design |
If You Have It, Flaunt It
Convince your clients why they should choose you and what makes you so special. Do you have years of experience? What tools do you have? Make sure it is related to the job being offered. For instance, telling them that you can make a 3D design of a house, or that you can make a software for networking, or that you have an X-ray vision won’t do any good if the job only entails editing simple data.
Aim High
Do not settle for mediocrity. Try to exceed your clients’ expectations. If you have committed to deliver the project in 10 days, surprise your client by sending the complete and error-free data in 7 days. In that way, your clients will give you good reviews and possibly recommend you to others which can also help increase your market value.
If at First You Don’t Succeed, Heck You Know The Rest…
Do not be easily discouraged if you weren’t able to close a deal yet. Oftentimes, landing on the first job is the hardest part. It gets easier as soon as you are able to build connections with your clients. If you have succeeded on your first try, then your one lucky guy after all. You can go thank that Feng Shui guru in the Chinese shop where you bought that golden waving cat figurine.
