GS Appletalk/printer switchbox advisability

[pp142w@webtv.net (Pete PPP)]

Hi all,

Currently I'm running a small Appletalk network consisting of several
Macs, an Appletalk compatible HP serial printer and, of course, a GS. :)

The setup is as follows. Printer (Terminated - GS - Macs (Last one
terminated)

Everything works fine except that I can find no Appletalk printer
drivers for the GS specific to this printer. I do have the Harmony
drivers I bought some time ago that drive this printer correctly via
Direct Connect through the serial port.

My solution was to run Appletalk through the GS modem port and to attach
a switchbox to the PRINTER so that I could toggle between Appletalk and
a Direct Connect Printer via the GS's printer port when needed.

When I smoke tested this (with fear and trepidation) all worked well.
Even the network connections restored without too much hassle after
switching back to Appletalk.

My question is the advisability of doing this. Am I setting myself up to
fry the printer ports or some such?

As an alternative, I've been booting up without Appletalk active and the
switchbox set for the printer before trying to print. Seemed safest,

What about keeping Appletalk active and switching over BEFORE bootup
with just the GS active?

Thoughts?

Of course, if anyone has found a way a ROM3 can print to a HP540 over
Appletalk I'd be very happy to hear it.

Pete,