scanning and conversion questions

I feel the loss of detail by scanning bilevel can throw information away, this is especially important with circuit diagrams and images, while automation may speed up the work some attention to detail is required else the end product will be less than useful. I currently stay with manual scanning and greyscale . and dont squeeze a quart into a pint pot. As for PDF and and slow memory hog PDF readers/display programs I think it may be time to wean users away asap. I have recently tried diva as an online display tool the following manual is incomplete, all I have, source is a poor photocopy but the diagrams are just about readable http://www.collection.archivist.info/diva/systrondonner1626.html direct link to part of the diagram http://www.collection.archivist.info/diva/systrondonner1626.html#p=138&… another complete with colour http://www.collection.archivist.info/diva/lucastp1.html The system uses tiled tiff https://github.com/DDMAL/diva.js/wiki Main advantage is no need to download a full pdf, light load on the server, fast viewing. can give direct links to a page and zoom option can have two panels to view setup and diagram at the same time. btw the above demos are hosted on an ADSL line 7.65meg down .35meg up (long way to the exchange) Dave Caroline