I need a scanner!

It has to be Linux compatible.
It has to last more than two scans before it breaks (no Epson, then!)
It needs to have its own power supply as I'm pushing my poor Shuttle as hard as it will go!

It needs to be on sale in the United Kingdom.

Does anyone know what would do me?

This is a UTFN responce... try:

www.buzzard.org.uk/jonathan/scanners.html
www.buzzard.org.uk/jonathan/usb-scanners.html

most scanners will work under linux, just google your requirements.
Simon

I went to sane-project.org and found that two scanners are currently on sale in UK, the Canon LiDE20 (a plustek in disguise) and Packard Bell Diamond 1200+ (a mustek bearpaw 1200 in disguise!).

Other than that, Brothers and Epsons not supported by Sane have closed-source backends, but everything I ever get from Epson seems to break down in less than a year, including my Perfection 1260 scanner!

I bought the Packard Bell, along with a powered USB hub! (Obviously a useful extra to have with my Shuttle and its 250w power supply.) It's not that good but it will do for now.

Hmmm.. I've had my Perfection 2450 for years now... no problems at all.

Hope you find what you're looking for.

I got the Packard Bell and found that it's ID was not the one in SANE, but another one which corresponded with a Mustek Bearpaw variation that did not work. Well it does work, but poorly.

I took it back to the shop today and exchanged it for a Canon LiDE20. The scan is perfect, I have to say, but it is one noisy dude!

www.sane-project.org indeed!
tho it is sometimes possible to get other drivers for linux, i.e. *in*sane ones

In New Zealand, the two most popular (read cheap) scanners are Canon's LiDE35 and hp ScanJet 2300c ... neither supported by SANE... all the rest are combination printer-fax-scanner machines. I'm having amazing trouble actually ordering scanners that are supported. HW suppliers just don't seem to want to know. Ho well...

Simon