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From: neff@hpvcfs1.HP.COM (Dave Neff)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: DeskJets and Atari Parallel Port
Message-ID: <2150013@hpvcfs1.HP.COM>
Date: 31 Jul 89 19:26:16 GMT
References: <2150012@hpvcfs1.HP.COM>
Organization: Hewlett Packard, Vancouver, WA
Lines: 36

> I do have one question, some hp laserjet drivers work and some don't.
> My observation:  Is it the case that the drivers that work have the
>                  computer do "everything" while those that don't
>                  want to download fonts to the printer?  When attempting
>                  to print TeX with a driver that doesn't work the 
>                  built in printer fonts are used
>                  and so a mess is created.

Basically correct.  The DeskJet+ is LaserJet compatable when printing
graphics with no random cursor moves (i.e. top to bottom of the page)
and when printing fixed pitch fonts.  The DeskJet+ is not LaserJet
compatable for proportional spaced fonts, random cursor moves, and
font downloads.  Try to get a DeskJet driver to insure proper behavior
and best performance.

TeX generally uses allot of downloads.  The DeskJet+ does not use LaserJet
soft font formats because:

1) DeskJet fonts are really 600 DPI horizontally (with consecutive dot
restrictions) which does make a difference in print quality.  LaserJet
fonts are 300 DPI.

2) DeskJet fonts use data compression to fit more fonts in less RAM.
LaserJet fonts do not.

3) To use fewer total font characters, the DeskJet will build compounded
chars out of basic components.  The LaserJet does not use compound components.
This allows the LaserJet to easily download selective characters but the
DeskJet must download an entire character set mainly due to this problem.

I hear versions of TeX are coming out that do everything in graphics and
make no use of downloads.  I am not a TeX user so don't have any pointers
to sources handy. 

Dave Neff
neff@hpvcfs1