From: anderj2@marcus.its.rpi.edu (Jason Anderson)
Subject: Re: Why not to get DeskWriter (was Re: HP Deskwriter Bug?)
Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 00:41:34 GMT

In article <BzBp2p.2Is@cs.psu.edu> plambert@bluegreen.crayola.cs.psu.edu (Paul M Lambert) writes:
>
>Well, I for one have many reasons!  Even the DW 2.2 software drivers don't
>work well... I am in charge of a very small network, with a DeskWriter, Image-
>Writer II, two Mac Classics running Sys 6.07, a Mac SE running Sys 6.07, and
>an LC II running Sys 7.01.
>
>The DW 3.1 drivers DON'T WORK!  If I install them, they run fine for a few
>hours, but then when I finally say "hey, they're working!" and leave, someone
>comes to get me and they've stopped.  Suddenly the public macs (the Classics)
>no longer will print.  When you click OK, no matter WHAT the settings, you
>get an address error.  It happens in every application.
>
> [ portion cut ]
>
>I haven't had too much time to bitch at Hewlett Packard or Claris (who makes
>MacWrite II).  For all I know, some of the problems may be MacWrite II's fault.
>But then again, a lot of the problems happen with any software.  I suggest you
>don't get a DeskWriter.  It's a great printer, but until HP learns how to
>write printer drivers, don't bother.  They've given it three or four tries now
>and it's almost but not quite as reliable as the ImageWriter II AppleTalk
>driver a friend uses on his AMIGA Mac emulator.  That's pretty bad.  I have to
>charge $0.10 per page to use the DeskWriter, not because it costs that much to
>print, but because I feel bad charging people directly for the pages they print
>that don't come out anything like what they wanted.

Granted, it appears you have had many problems.  I would like to add that I
have never had a problem with my printer.  I used to have it on a network
with no problem.  I have had it hooked up to a Mac Plus and newer Macs.  I
think it is unfair to urge people not to buy a printer when you haven't even
tried to work it out with HP or Claris.  I have never had a problem to need
to call HP, but you never know, they may actually help you.

>It's a pity so many people here are buying computers and choosing IBM because
>even though it's more difficult to use, "at least they work."

I am personally one that thinks comparing IBM and Mac is like comparing
apples and oranges.  Some people just prefer IBM, others Mac, and even others
prefer an IBM to act like a Mac. :)  But, I can say that paying top-dollar
for that "at least they work" attitude is way wrong.  I used to coop at IBM
and I had to setup many PS/2's with OS/2.  It was an amazingly excrutiating
process.  When I got my IIsi, I just installed the coprocessor and then 
turned it on.  Yes, I could kick the hell out of that Mod 80, but I have 
never wanted to kick my Mac. :)

>I hate Hewlett Packard.

That is obvious...

Jason
-- 
Jason P. Anderson          ____   | December 7, 1992:  The Albany, NY Common
11 Colvin Circle           \  /   | Council passes the Human Rights Ordinance
Troy, NY 12180-3735         \/    | (8 to 6) which prohibits discrimination
anderj2@rpi.edu    (518) 276-8910 | against gays/lesbians/bisexuals !!!
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