Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!wuarchive!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!datran2!smb
From: smb@datran2.uunet (Steven M. Boker)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.rt
Subject: Re: NeXTStep/Printer with RS/6000.
Summary: Would require an interface card
Message-ID: <444@datran2.uunet>
Date: 1 Jun 90 04:24:19 GMT
References: <74000001@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu>
Organization: Data Transforms, Denver, CO
Lines: 25

In article <74000001@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu>, gsg0384@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu writes:
> What do you think about the possiblility of using a NeXT laser printer
> with IBM RS/6000 when the NeXTStep interface is available for RS/6000
> as promised by IBM?   This means the RS/6000 should have the PostScript
> interpreter in its system software.   Do you think this picture correct?
> 
The NeXT printer is a dumb engine that communicates with the NeXT
Cube via a proprietary interface.  The RS6000 would need to have an
interface card that supported the NeXT protocols, which to my understanding
are simply a high speed interface similar to that used by LaserMaster
to communicate with a dumb Canon engine.

IMHO there are better solutions.  Having the processing engine on the
printer saves the CPU the blitting chores that otherwise consume considerable
resource.  A NeXT can't outrun a snail while it is printing.  Offload that
tedium and keep your GUI snappy, I say.

Steve.


-- 
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 #  Steve Boker                #  Black holes are how God divides by zero.  #
 #  smb@datran2.uunet.uu.net   #  ....I have my own methods.                #
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