Re: Printer conundrum

[Adam C Powell IV <hazelsct@mit.edu>]

Paul Talacko wrote:

> On Fri, Jan 26, 2001 at 09:39:20AM -0500, Adam C Powell IV wrote:
> > Paul Talacko wrote:
> >
> > > I have a PowerMac 6500.  I also have a Texas Instruments printer (it's rubbish,
> > > and I'll never buy another TI product again, but it has around 12,000 pages of
> > > printing left in it, so I'll use it until the toner runs out).
> > >
> > > The problem is this.  The printer has two ports on the back.  A parallel port
> > > for PCs - printing works fine using this - and a Mac serial port - which works
> > > fine if I print from a Mac using localtalk.
> >
> > How soon do you need this working, and how much of a hacker are you?  I managed to
> > get docs for the PowerPrint mac serial to parallel converter, which goes for about
> > $50, but my serial programming ability is so limited I couldn't get anything to
> > work at all.
> >
> > If we can get something to work, this will be a great mac Linux printing option!
> >
> > Doc at: http://lyre.mit.edu/~powell/PP3_rev_1_1.html
> >
>
> This is a great idea. What have you tried?  Did you just set up a filter file?
> What is your printcap like?  When using the PowerPrint in Mac OS, do you have
> to choose a PowerPrint driver or do you use a normal driver for the printer?

Hmm, it's a bit complicated.  I can't even to get the cable to reply to my serial
"packets".  Once that's working, there must be a layer in between the printer drivers
from, say, magicfilter or printtool, and the serial port, as the data have to be
shifted out to the cable's custom ASIC in non-standard packets.

In other words, if anything worked, it would be a great idea. :-)

But in the meantime, kudos to InfoWave for at least giving us the specs.  Now if
I could only find a good serial reference for some kind of standard way to send
"packets" to the serial port...  After that it should be pretty easy, then we can
increase their sales by 2% or so. :-)

Zeen,

-Adam P.

GPG fingerprint: D54D 1AEE B11C CE9B A02B  C5DD 526F 01E8 564E E4B6

                 Welcome to the best software in the world today cafe!