Very often, a user will want to work on text or pictures which were not originally produced on a computer, and of which no electronic version is available. To overcome this problem, the text or image can be "scanned" into digital form using a scanner which looks similar to a photocopier. Special Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software is used to read text and convert it into a form which the computer can understand, while a programme such as Photoshop is used to manipulate and store images.

Dr Ju Gosling aka ju90's ABNORMAL: How Britain became body dysphoric and the key to a cure is available now for just £3.09 for the Kindle or in a limited-edition hardback with full-colour art plates for £20 inc UK postage and packing. Book cover