Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!wuarchive!brutus.cs.uiuc.edu!apple!bionet!csd4.csd.uwm.edu!uxc.cso.uiuc.edu!uxc.cso.uiuc.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!uxa.cso.uiuc.edu!jpd00964
From: jpd00964@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next
Subject: Re: Solution to Apple Laserwriter Plus
Message-ID: <246300047@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu>
Date: 23 Aug 89 06:05:00 GMT
References: <19278@usc.edu>
Lines: 18
Nf-ID: #R:usc.edu:19278:uxa.cso.uiuc.edu:246300047:000:844
Nf-From: uxa.cso.uiuc.edu!jpd00964    Aug 23 01:05:00 1989


[null - modem cables]

I believe that the following is correct, but I would not testify to it.

Computers and terminals are considered terminals in RS-232 terminology while
modems are considered computers.  I think the terminogy is wrong, but the idea
is still there.  The thought is that any computer that is hooked up is being 
used from elsewhere, and therefore not the main concept in RS-232 newspeak.
Anyway, if a terminal is hooked to a terminal, then you have data transmit
hooked up to data transmit which means no one is receiving.  To fix, use a 
modem with two wires switched and call it a null-modem.  Then Each terminal
thinks its talking to a computer.  Modems are computers so they do not need
a null-modem cable.  Printers are terminals so they do.  Hey, I didn't create
this mess, I just confuse it :->

Michael Rutman
Softmed