[NTLUG:Discuss] "image preservation" recommendations

[Leroy Tennison]

I want to scan some old (mostly black and white) pictures as a 
preservation measure.  I run SuSE 10.3 and would like hardware 
recommendations (and de-recommendations) concerning equipment which 
would meet the need and work well with Linux (especially SuSE 10.3).

Since I've never tried this any general input concerning best practices 
and pitfalls would also be appreciated.

On a related topic, any one know of a good (and reasonable) service for 
converting my parent's 8mm film strips into videos?

Thanks for any and all input.