Re: Q-Print or Q-Print //

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

coaxial@escape.ca (coaxial) wrote:

>I am thinking of eventually purchasing an HP DeskJet (model ???) and
>hooking it up to my IIgs. I noticed that Sequential Systems still sells
>new Q-Print and Q-Print // parallel interface cards and I was wondering if
>anybody out there can recommend which one of those I should get...

I would recommend looking for a serial to parallel converter for
the IIGS instead.  Global Computers sells one that connects at
speeds up to 56k, plenty fast with the high speed serial driver
found with Harmonie (which you need to use the DeskJet).  You
save a slot and you get a piece of hardware you can also use with
a Macintosh or a Windows unit.

>I believe the Q-Print // supports Orange Micro's Grappler commands and
>screen dumps and graphics. From the information from Sequential's web
>site, I think the plain Q-Print doesn't do the Grappler stuff, but I think
>it can handle Microtek's Dumpling GX commands?

Those commands won't work with the DeskJet.  The Grappler
was too old and it only supports those features for old 9-pin
dot matrix units.

>What I should be looking for in a  parellal interface card for the IIgs? 
>Since I'm still relatively new to the Apple II world, what exactly are
>Grappler commands/screen dumps/graphics?
>
>Can anybody give me any advice?  :)

The Grappler's screen dump commands are commands you
type at the BASIC prompt which sends a bitmap of the graphics
screen to the printer.  The printer must be supported by the
Grappler for this to happen.  Its printer table supports old 9-pin
units, so these features are USELESS with the DeskJet.

Second, these features won't work for GS specific programs
because the Grappler was before the GS time.  So unless
you only use IIe programs, again these features are useless.

USELESS for a DeskJet.
USELESS for a IIGS.

It would be better to save the money to be used for such
an interface and spend it on a serial to parallel converter.

The DeskWriter series are DeskJets with such converters
built in.  In fact, if you connect a serial to parallel interface
between a Mac and a DeskJet and set the converter to
56k, the Mac can print to it as a DeskWriter.  Similarly, you
can use Harmony or Independence to print to DeskWriters
using serial connections.