From: rs54@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Richard Sucgang)
Subject: Re: HP LJ series II on a Mac
Reply-To: rs54@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Richard Sucgang)
Organization: Columbia University
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 01:10:47 GMT

In article <184570@pyramid.pyramid.com> bms@penguin.eng.pyramid.com (Bruce Schlobohm) writes:
>In article <1992Dec08.065439.100502@zeus.calpoly.edu>, jseto@zeus.calpoly.edu (John the Fisherman) writes:
>| Howdy,
>| 	I'll be getting a HP Laserjet series II and was wondering what I
>| would have to throw into it to make it work with a Mac (Powerbook 160
>| specifically).  Do I have to get a postscript cartridge and more memory?
>| Will I need a driver to get it work?  This printer will be used with
>| both a PC and a Mac.  Is it safe to hook them up simultaneously?
>
>There are a few couple possibilities.
>1) MacPrint from Insight Development.  This package provides you with a
>   serial cable, and a driver to print Quickdraw quality documents on your
>   LaserJet.  The only fonts that look good are the ones built into the
>   printer.  For me, this wasn't what I wanted.

If you got loads of patience, MacPrint does a pretty good job with ATM or
TrueType. A plus for MacPrint is that it is the only (? somebody, correct
me if I'm wrong) driver than can use the LJ hardware fonts and the ATM or
TrueType fonts on the same document. What's more, Insight just announced
the availability of MacPrint/Portable, a version with the PowerBooks in mind.

 >2) MacJet.  This is also the serial port on the the printer. 
MacJet
>   has the capability of printing very high quality text.  (I didn't try
>   it with graphics.)  What you do is use the included tool to convert

Pretty good with graphics; only one I've tried that was successfull with
gray scales.

>   your existing TrueType or Postscript fonts (if I'm remembering this
>   correctly) into HPLJ (PCL) images.  You need to do this for each
>   typeface/size/slant combination.  For larger point sizes, this can
>   chew up disk space real quick.  These fonts can then be downloaded into
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

How true.

>
>3) Turn the printer into a postscript printer.  You'll need: Postscript

Aw, come on, there are more. GDT Softworks makes a driver, and how
about checking out the grappler from Orange Micro. In general, you need to
upgrade to at least 1 Meg of RAM on the printer.

>One of the two serial solutions might be best for the mixed Mac/PC
>environment.  Switching back and forth between AppleTalk and RS232
>connections can be painful.  For the HP PS Cartridge, it requires powering
>down the printer.  For the Pacific Page, I understand there are commands
>that can be sent down the wire to make the selection.  I don't have the
>details on this.
>
There is an escape sequence that signals the changes. Or you can make the
changes from the front panel.

Gee, Bruce, I should have had you on my team :).

More details in Mac-LaserJet UpRev in sumex. v2.0 in the works!


>-- 
>bruce schlobohm
>bms@pyramid.com



-rich
Richard Sucgang  : Dept. of Anatomy and Cell Biology Columbia University
(sucgang@cuhhca.hhmi.columbia.edu | rs54@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu)
"...Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, individually, collectively or otherwise."