Re: parallel card

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

"Michael Y. Su" <msu76@bellatlantic.net> wrote:

>Joe Kohn <joko@GotSpam?crl.com> wrote:
>
>> Supertimer <supertimer@aol.com> wrote:
>>  >Michael can use Harmonie with the serial port right now
>>  >without spending extra on a parallel card.
>>
>> Sure he can.
>>
>> But, with Apple II Parallel cards going on csa2.marketplace
>
>I wasn't planning on relying on the serial port.  But at least the option is
>there.  It should be pretty obvious that the parallel just has to be faster.
>I've been in the market for a parallel card for a while, but just haven't
>had the heart/commitment to go out and get it.
>
>One of my problems right now is hooking up both my PC and my GS to my HP at
>the same time.  If I just used the serial with the GS and the parallel with
>my PC, that would solve everything.  I don't have to dip in for a switcher.
>
>Besides, I'm just trying to get the GS printing.  I'm not at the point where
>I'm doing any significant printing yet.  Immediately, I just need to see how
>well the GS is going to do with the HP or how well -I'm- going to do with
>the GS and the HP.

The GS can do very well with high resolution ink jet or laser
printers but there is one more factor to be aware of.  When
the IIGS prints to a high res printer, it needs two different font
sizes.  One is the font size used for display.  To print
requires the same font in a size 4x larger.  If this larger font
file is not present, the IIGS must enlarge the screen font 4x
resulting in jagged printed text.

One way to make sure jaggedness does not happen is to
only use fonts in which you are sure you have a larger
version in the fonts folder.  Ultimately, the best way is to
use TrueType fonts since these can be scaled to any size.
I recommend getting the Pointless package from Joe's
Shareware Solutions II at the same time as Harmonie.
Pointless allows the IIGS to use TrueType fonts so you
won't have to worry about keeping large font files in your
fonts folder.  The IIGS can simply render a screen sized
font from a TrueType file then when printing to the 4MP,
it can render another font 4x the size of the screen font.

That's what PCs and Macs do all the time.