Re: Imagewriter vs modem cable

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

James  Burtoft <jb6z@faraday.clas.Virginia.EDU> wrote:

> Both are serial cables, right?

Yes.

> Does one have more "wires" going out (like handshaking vs. non-handshaking
> modem cables?)

It depends.  What sort of modem cable are you talking about?  In
particular, what connectors does it have?

If you are talking about a cable going between a computer and an
ImageWriter I (compared to a modem cable) then the most significant
difference is that the signals go to different pins at the peripheral
end.

In general, a printer cable needs less flow control signals than a modem
cable.  Most printers have no need for the flow control signal from the
computer to the printer, but they do need one in the other direction.

By comparison, a hardware handshake cable for a modem requires at least
one flow control line in each direction.  Ideally, it should also have a
carrier signal from the modem to the computer, and a DTR output (if the
computer has two flow control outputs, which the IIgs and Mac do not).


If you are talking about a IIgs (or Mac) to ImageWriter II cable, then
what modem cable are you comparing it to?

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail Mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand