Xref: utzoo comp.sys.mac.comm:559 comp.protocols.appletalk:3928 comp.sys.mac.misc:1234
Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!mcsun!ukc!educ-isis!teexmmo
From: teexmmo@ioe.lon.ac.uk (Matthew Moore)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.comm,comp.protocols.appletalk,comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Asynchronous Serial LaserWriter Driver?
Message-ID: <1990Jul11.172720.3266@ioe.lon.ac.uk>
Date: 11 Jul 90 17:27:20 GMT
References: <1990Jul9.211730.5026@agate.berkeley.edu>
Reply-To: teexmmo@ioe.lon.ac.uk (Matthew Moore)
Organization: Institute of Education University of London
Lines: 29

Steve Goldfield wants to print to a Laserwriter on the serial port.

So do we! Here is what my boss thinks:-


Printing from Apple to Laserwriter via serial line rather than Appletalk.

This is most desirable as it would allow a low cost solution to the problem
of sharing a postscript printer (Apple Laserwriter) between PC's and Macs.
Apple UK say there is no need for a Laserwriter driver that talks to the
serial port rather than Appletalk and will only suggest Localtalk cards for
PCs.

The frustration is "it can be done". When starting to print from any 
Apple application package, holding down clover F will cause a Postscript
disk file to be generated. This file can then be sent down the serial line
using a cinit public domain utility (Serialprint - used for connecting non
Apple printers), and if the laserwriter is connected and dip switched to the
serial port, low and behold you can print Postscript from the Apple to the
Laserwriter via the serial connection.

Two problems. One this is incredibly clumsy. Secondly Serialprint doesnt
just send the file to the serial port, it was written to be helpful and
attempts to paginate the stuff it is sending, so the method only works for
a small file. Nevertheless it can be used to demonstrate emprically that 
this method could work - if Apple or some other kind soul would provide
a driver!!!

Robert Clark   (My boss)