Re: Parallel card question

[gtolar@blkbox.com (Glynne Tolar)]

Alexander Eddy (ez050653@yogi.ucdavis.edu) wrote:
: I am buying an HP deskjet(writer?) and am wondering if I should invest
: in a parallel card for enhanced speed. Also the newer HP printers
: don't support serial connections... I need to know what kinds of cards
: are available, and roughly how much they cost. Thanks...

: also, what are the changes from Pointless 2.0 -> 2.0.3?

: -arekusu

First let me clear something up that seems to confuse more people (makes 
me wonder why HP made the DeskWriter series).  The Deskwriter how only a 
serial port locked at 57,600 baud.  Is ment to be used on a Mac.  And 
(very important) has no build in fonts.  No built in fonts means no 
ProDOS 8 apps will print to it.  That is when printing in text mode.  
Very few P8 programs support HP graphics.  With that being said, the 
DeskJet is a nice printer.  The per page cost of printing is a little 
high though (cost of copy paper + ink).  These costs can be reduced some 
by using scrap paper and refilling the cartridge.  The DeskWriter can be 
used on a GS IF you are only using GS/OS apps.  Harmonie does support it.

[Mac bashing editorial, you've been worned]
I get tired of Mac people who happen to own a GS (note the order) 
complaining they can't print in P8 stuff and want to blame it on the 
machine when it really was the choice of printer made.  The best solution 
IMNSHO is to buy a DeskJet and spend the extra money to make it support 
the Mac.  There is a company that sells software drivers and a cable to 
adapt the DeskJet's parallel port to the Mac's serial port at 57,600 
baud.  I've ofter wondered if it could work on the GS.  I hope to test 
one in the near future.  But really for the same price you can get a 
parallel card.  Oh, the disadvantage of the above solution (for network 
usrs) is that it will not support AppleTalk (yawn).

Ok, off my soapbox.  Sorry, I had a friend get shnookered by a Mac user 
so I had to straighted him out before I got calls asking why it did not work!

To answer some of your other questions.  Yes, parallel is faster in >80% 
of the printing cases.  Especially if you have an accelerator (in GS/OS 
stuff).  True the new DeskJets do NOT have serial ports.  That may make 
the above mentioned cable more appealing.

The version change on Pointless was mainly for bug fixes and better 
memory management. Check with Sequential Systems or Quality Computers (I 
can't believe I'm saying this) about parallel cards.  They will be around 
$49-$79.

Hope this info helps.  (if any of this offends a Mac user, Sorry.  I'm 
tired of getting burned by Apple and those supporting them (ie. People 
who say "I support the II" and turn right around and buy a Mac))  Get a 
PC instead and hurt Apple where it hurts!