So as I see it at this point the laptop with the many different possibilities makes a lot of sense. As with everything some pro's and con's.

One of my ideas was to set the laptop on it's side and possibly use Pivot Pro. But maybe setting the laptop in it's normal configuration will be just as easy, if not superior especially if one uses it for other applications at the same time, such as OMB, Hypercanvas, software recording etc?

The next thing is to get clear scanned music. I think I'd prefer doing that over going click and point or whatever. However, in the past when I scanned music, it would print out on paper looking real good. But, if I tried to view it in the computer monitor not everything seemed to show too clearly. What's the deal on that?

Then as far as music notation software. I know there a number of programs out there ranging from maybe $40-$500. I know all I want to do is to have a lead sheet with melody and chords. Possibly occasionally harmony notes along with the melody, but still only using one staff.

As far as I know, each program has it's own way of saving it in that particular companies format. If that is true, than that's kind of a shame, because I am sure there are a number of people doing this work, and it would be great to be able to share the music with others. It seems like that would only be possible if the songs were either originally saved in a format that would work on anyones computer, say wordpad, excel, 602 etc.or to have a program to convert the music to some standard format. But as far as I know there is no such thing out there is there?

PDF's seem to come out looking pretty good although it's not as smooth an operation going from one piece of music to another.

Then I see some of you are scolling or turning pages manaully. Does this work smoothly and easily?

I also know some programs like Busker by OMB will actually scroll either the notes you have clicked and dragged or it sounds like one can even have a scanned piece of music scroll automatically with the style. What about repeats and DC al Fine's etc?

It seemed to me it would be best having the music set up and manually scroll like you have a physical piece of paper would be more like the real world, but then if the music would scroll autotically, possibly even highlighting the note that you should be playing, like it does in the Tyros screen for midi songs may be even easier. Does one have control over how many times you can repeat a song on the fly as compared to it doing whatever you entered when you wrote out the music notation.

Seems like perhaps the Busker may be as good a way as any to go?

Then there is the thing of changing Windows OS. I have an older version of Encore and a bunch of music for it. It does not work properly with Windows XP. I don't really want to pay $200 for an upgrade. Does anyone have a fix on the Encore XP problem?

So here are a bunch of thoughts, ideas and questions on this issue. I would also think this and reading between the lines would insite some other questions and solutions. I hope some of you who have tried working with this will be able to answer these questions, and give me/us some ideas to consider.