Well absolutely no one should be online without adequate protection these days, too many scoundrels out there by far. The 2 most popular seem to be Superantispyware and Malwarebytes. Be careful installing and stay with the free version, Malwarebytes is free but does not appear to say so as you install. I run one or the other perhaps weekly, more if I feel I have visited doubtful places.

That is a very smart move taking your scanner when visiting rellies, at least that way they feel safe in that the photos remain in there possession. Also you get the chance to discuss each and perhaps make notes because no one thought to write on the backs of the photos.

On the printing issue have you considered having them done for you? This can be done online at a large number of places including your local supermarket and/or pharmacy. You then collect them the next day or whatever the rules are at any given location. This to me is cheaper than using your own ink and I think their ink quality is somewhat better than we get for our printers.

I found scanning slides very trying but that was a few years ago and the equipment was not as good as we have now. You say the scanner is expensive and no doubt it is. But when I started the local computer joint charged $10 for the first scan and $8 for any others done at the same time. It made sense to buy a scanner and save a bundle, you have to decide how many scans you need to do then decide on which route.

Photo editing for tears, bends and scratches is very interesting but time consuming and a steep learning curve at the outset. I enjoy that stuff, in fact I just removed a no longer son in law from the middle of a family group for a lady.

owbist, thank you for your reply. I'll look into the spyware downloads.

As for taking my scanner with me, that is exactly why I do it! And some of our relatives are also half way across the country, so it is much easier when traveling to have it with me. I spent 2 1/2 days in Iowa last spring scanning family history! I also have family slides that need done, but don't belong to me, so I don't want to have to bring them home to do, but can if necessary. I love the scanner I have now, but it doesn't do slides/negetives.

We have just recently gotten a slide projector and screen at an auction, so can view those we took, but never printed, from our honeymoon cruise. We are considering having those printed instead of doing them ourselves, now that we can look at them!

Photo editing is something I am slowly learning, but if I need it in a hurry, my DD is a photographer and pretty good at Photoshop!

I don't usually print lots of pictures at one time, just mostly keep them on the computer, but special ones I like to print for family, and a lot of the time it's last minute thinking. I like the convienence of doing them myself.

Tami

I have an older model Epson Perfection 3170 Photo scanner that I bought refurbished directly from Epson. It has a holder for negatives and slides and good software for restoring damaged photos. I doubt that model is still available, but check their web site and see what they have. This was only $79 and came with a full warranty. It also has a good copy function, even though it is a flatbed scanner. It's a little bulkier and heavier than a HP I previously owned, but I really like it.

I like sQusi, free download, fast and efficient for spyware, it's so fast, I run it often even while surfing or on forums such as this, that really load in the junk...