Re: Help, with Deskwriter

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

In article <elsharifCq91DC.47v@netcom.com>,
Kareem Elsharif <elsharif@netcom.com> wrote:
> Help, my father just sold his mac, and has an HP Deskwriter, is there 
> anyway I can use this printer on my IIGS,

Yes and no.

Yes, you can use it in SOME programs on the IIgs (any GS/OS desktop
application which uses the Print Manager to print, i.e. most
mainstream desktop applications).  To do this you will need a
third-party driver.  The Harmonie package from Vitesse definitely
supports a DeskWriter.  The Independence package from Seven Hills may
do.

Few, if any, ProDOS-8 graphics programs will work with the DeskWriter,
because they don't have the necessary driver.

I don't know what command set the DeskWriter uses - if it is compatible
with the HP LaserJet family (PCL) then there may be a very small number
of graphics programs which support it (e.g. Publish-It!)  I haven't
tried using a DeskWriter with any ProDOS-8 programs, so I can't say for
sure.

On the flip side, you cannot use a DeskWriter from any program which
outputs ASCII text to the printer.  The DeskWriter will only accept
graphics data from the computer.

In particular, you cannot print to a DeskWriter from AppleWorks
Classic.


An HP DeskJet printer is a much better option for the IIgs - it will
accept graphics and ASCII output, so can be used from GS/OS programs
(with Harmonie or Independence drivers) and from ASCII programs such
as AppleWorks Classic.  (You need to set up a custom driver to use a
DeskJet with AppleWorks 3.0 or earlier; AppleWorks 4.0 is supplied
with a driver.)
-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand