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From: merchant@dartvax.UUCP (Peter Merchant)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc,comp.sys.apple,comp.sys.att
Subject: Re: Hooking up a Laserwriter to a PC or a 3B2?
Message-ID: <6064@dartvax.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 24-Apr-87 09:49:57 EDT
Article-I.D.: dartvax.6064
Posted: Fri Apr 24 09:49:57 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 26-Apr-87 20:37:33 EDT
References: <199@houxj.UUCP> <151@hubcap.UUCP>
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
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Xref: mnetor comp.sys.ibm.pc:3557 comp.sys.apple:1188 comp.sys.att:365

The connection is through a typical serial printer cable.  You can buy one
through your favourite computer store, probably.  Apple has a specific part
number for it and will probably charge you for the pretty box it comes in.

To directly connect to the PC, just plug the PC into the RS-232 plug in the
LaserWriter.  You will also have to adjust a knob on the LaserWriter defining
the baud rate at which you want to work.

At this point, you can now send postscript commands to the LaserWriter.  Some
programs that support the postscript include WordPerfect 4.2, MS Word 3.1,
and MS Windows.  I'm not sure what else.

The LaserWriter also emulates a Diablo 630.  What I do (and I'm sure there's
a better way) is to dump the following postscript commands to the LaserWriter:
   serverdict begin 0 exitserver
   statusdict begin
   58 0 seteescratch
And then it thinks it's a Diablo 630.

One pitch I could also make is for Centram Systems West and their TOPS software.
It makes this whole thing really painless and with their PC card, you can hook
up many PCs to the same LaserWriter.  You also get distributed file serving for
your cash (whether you want it or not.)  Plus, if you buy their printing software,
TOPSPrint, you get the Diablo 630 emulation, the PostScript, and Epson FX-80
emulation.

Admittedly, it makes like a bit more pricey.  You have to buy a TOPS card and
software ($389 retail), two PhoneNet connectors ($49 retail, one for the PC
and one for the LaserWriter), and a telephone wire ($1-$10, or pinch one from
someone's telephone).  If you want TOPSPrint, add in an extra $125, I think.
Also, Apple is selling an AppleTalk card for the PC, as well as printer software
to make it connect.  I've never used it, so I can't make any claims.

Hope this helps.
--
"When you think about it,                 Peter Merchant (merchant@dartvax.UUCP)
 Adolph Hitler was the first
 pop star."  -- David Bowie