Is there any way to use my NeatReciepts NeatDesk scanner directly in Ubuntu?

I own a NeatDesk scanner (ND-1000). This is a pretty decent dual sided scanner. I'm in the process of becoming a "Ubuntu" user instead of a "Windows" user . . . and have migrated pretty much everything I do on to the Ubuntu environment. At this point the only hardware I have that I haven't been able to use directly in Ubuntu is the ND-1000 scanner.

(A) Is there an UBUNTU driver that will work with this? (Preferably that will take advantage of the DUAL SIDED scanning)

(A - UPDATE) I did the "lsusb" command and I believe the USB ID is as follows:
-- Bus 002 Device 004: ID 1f44:0050

(B) Is there any UBUNTU software that will work with this?

I also own the older Neat Receipts "Silver" scanner . . . for which I've been able to use the Plustek OpticSlim M12 drivers . . .

(C) Is there better UBUNTU software (read better = easier/more intuitive to use) than "XSANE" for scanning?
(I've used it a couple times & when scanning & saving to a .pdf, it always scans a "full page" worth no matter the size of the document I'm scanning . . . and I'm not finding a "CROP" option)

(C - UPDATE) I found & used "Simple-scan" but unfortunately, I wasn't about to control enough of the parameters . . . (a) the scan turned out mostly "blueish" (and I didn't find a color control) . . . (b) the crop option didn't seem to work . . . probably user error . . . but I didn't take the time to solve it, because the "blueish" document blew it for me & I found another scanning alternative: (X-Sane works well with networked multi-function scanners, btw! . . . both HP and Canon!)

*** If there is someone out there who loves both Ubuntu & NeatReceipts *** . . . please make yourself known!!! We can collaborate! I'm about to embark on trying to make NeatReceipts work in an XP VirtualBox . . . we'll see how THAT goes . . . but I'm more interested in sticking to the UBUNTU environment solutions whenever possible.

(*** Update - 20120524)
I have Neat Receipts working in an XP VirtualBox v4.1.8 r75467. It requires the VirtualBox Guest Additions and shows up in the USB as "The Neat Company Neat ADF Scanner" and I have set it up in the main settings for my Virtual Instance with a permanent USB Filter: Vendor ID: 1f44 / Product ID: 0050 / Revision: 06a6 / Manufacturer: The Neat Company / Product Neat ADF Scanner / Serial No.: CNLF1..<omitted> with Port: <blank> and Remote: No. I run the Neat Application (Version 5 SP5) inside the XP environment and it passes right through. . . . I still do not have a solution to use the scanner directly in Ubuntu.