It’s with mixed emotions that I say goodbye to my old scanner. I bought it back in 2008—26 years ago—and it has served me faithfully ever since. I still remember how my video review back then gained a lot of attention. I even had comments like, "They should pay you for this review!" It was a simpler time, when video reviews were a rare gem on the internet, and now I look back and smile at how things have changed.

For most of its life, the scanner was my trusty tool for converting paper forms to PDFs, mainly for filling in forms for companies. But a few years ago, I decided to take the plunge and digitize all the paper I had accumulated. It turned into a months-long project of scanning and, yes, shredding a mountain of paperwork. At the time, my old scanner was already showing signs of wear—the rollers were starting to get worn out—but it still managed to keep chugging along. Now, as I look around my house, I can proudly say I have no paper bills or documents stashed away. Everything is safely stored in digital form.

But now, the time has come to say goodbye. I have much less need for a scanner. My multi-function inkjet printer does a decent job of scanning the occasional piece of paper over the network onto our Macs, though it’s much slower than the old workhorse.

As I part ways with my scanner, I can't help but feel grateful for its service. 26 years is a long time for any piece of equipment, and it did its job exceptionally well. It’s almost like letting go of an old friend—one that helped me move into a paperless future.

It's incredible how technology can serve us for so many years. I often wonder how many other gadgets in my life will last as long.
Going paperless is a big step, and the process of scanning and organizing all my documents took a lot of time. But it was worth it for the peace of mind and simplicity it has brought.
Sometimes, it’s tempting to hold on to old tech because it feels familiar, but it’s also important to embrace new tools that can help us work more efficiently.

Goodbye, old scanner, and thank you for everything.