Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!tank!ncar!ames!coherent!dplatt From: dplatt@coherent.com (Dave Platt) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac Subject: Re: Grappler LS (was Re: Tested the HP DeskJet driver by DataPak) Message-ID: <14116@coherent.com> Date: 16 Nov 88 20:42:47 GMT References: <13240@coherent.com> <17269@vax5.CIT.CORNELL.EDU> <13670@coherent.com> Reply-To: dplatt@coherent.com (Dave Platt) Distribution: comp Organization: Coherent Thought Inc., Palo Alto CA Lines: 167 I just spoke with someone in Orange Micro's tech-support department concerning the Grappler LS printer-driver; I got enough information to draw some meaningful contrasts between the Grappler LS and the DataPak driver for the DeskJet. BASIC METHOD OF OPERATION - The Grappler LS isn't a complete, standalone driver. Instead, it uses the Apple-supplied ImageWriter LQ driver, installs a bunch of nonstandard hooks, and adds a proprietary printer-spooling capability. The LS software convinces the ImageWriter LQ driver that an LQ is attached, and alters the IW/LQ driver's imaging parameters so that a true 300 dot/inch image is created by QuickDraw (rather than the 216 dot/inch image normally created for the IW/LQ). 4x-oversize fonts will be used, if available. The LS software then transmits the 300 dot/inch bitmap to the DeskJet at 19.2 kbits/sec; it does perform DeskJet data compression. - The DataPak driver is a stand-alone driver which does not require the services of the ImageWriter LQ driver. It also creates a 300 DPI bitmap, and sends it at either 9600 or 19200 bits/sec, with data compression as applicable. 4x-oversize fonts are used if available. HARDWARE INTERFACES - Both the Grappler LS, and the DataPak drivers, are software-only drivers that work via the printer's serial port. Neither includes a serial-to-parallel converter, such as was included in the Grappler LQ. [This probably accounts for the fact that the LS has a street-price of somewhat less than the LQ.] RESOLUTIONS - The Grappler LS supports "faster" printing (75 dots/inch) and "best" printing (300 dots/inch), as well as "draft" (text-only) mode. - The DataPak driver supports "draft graphics" (75 DPI), "normal graphics" (150 DPI) and "best graphics" (300 DPI), as well as a "text only" draft mode. PAGE TYPES - The Grappler LS will (I infer) support all of the page-sizes and orientations supported by the ImageWriter LQ driver. - The DataPak driver supports several paper sizes, but only in portrait mode; it doesn't currently support landscape mode. Landscape support will be provided in the next version, I'm told. USE OF PRINTER FONTS - The Grappler LS can use the built-in Courier 12 font in "draft" mode, as long as no fancy headers, footers, etc. are being used. It cannot use the built-in font, or any HP font cartridges, in "faster" or "best" modes; it's entirely dependent on the Mac-resident screen fonts. - The DataPak driver can use the built-in Courier 12 font in "text only" mode. It can use the Courier 12 built-in font, as well as the Times and Helvetica lookalikes in HP font cartridges, in all 3 graphics modes if the "Use HP fonts" option is selected. This can greatly increase the speed with which a page can be printed, although the HP fonts are not entirely identical to the Apple/Adobe fonts and may produce subtly-different output. A "Precision placement" option can be used to ensure that each HP-font character is placed at exactly the correct location on the page; this compensates for the slight differences between the spacings of the HP and Apple/Adobe fonts, but slows down printing somewhat. SPOOLING - The Grappler LS comes with a proprietary print-spooling package, which works with all applications that follow the rules-for-printing in Inside Macintosh ("We haven't found any with which it didn't work.") - The DataPak driver does not include a print-spooler. SPEED - The Grappler LS can print the MS Word "Overview" sample document in "best" mode at a rate of about 6 minutes/page on a floppy-based Mac Plus. Faster machines, and those equipped with hard disks will print somewhat faster; a figure of 4-5 minutes/page was quoted as being typical. The best-possible printing time for documents of this sort (in 300 DPI "best" mode) was stated to be in the neighborhood of 3 minutes; the bottleneck is apparently the 19200 bits/sec serial connection to the printer. Printing in "faster" (75 dots/inch) and "draft" modes is of course a good deal faster. - The DataPak driver prints pages in "best graphics" mode at roughly the same speed (I don't have access to data using the same sample) when Mac fonts are used. The DataPak's "draft graphics" (75 DPI) mode appears roughly speed-equivalent to the Grappler LS's "faster" mode. The DataPak driver can print an average page of 300 DPI text _much_ faster (1-2 minutes) when the "Use HP fonts" option is selected and a suitable font cartridge is installed. SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY - Both drivers are compatible with System 6.0[.2], and [I infer] with System 4.2 as well. Both are dependent on the current Mac printing architecture; the Grappler LS depends on the ImageWriter LQ driver's internals to a significant extent, and the DataPak driver is dependent on the existing (poorly-documented) printer-driver interface. - Both drivers will probably "break" when Apple changes the printing architecture, as they've pretty much promised they'll be doing one of these days. APPLICATION COMPATIBILITY - The Grappler LS will work, apparently, with any application that works correctly with the ImageWriter LQ driver. It won't work with PostScript-dependent applications such as Adobe Illustrator. - The DataPak driver works with most applications. It's known to have compatibility problems with MacWrite (cause uncertain, being investigated) and with HyperCard and Microsoft Excel (both of which break some of the rules). It won't work with PostScript applications. COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER PRINTERS - The Grappler LS includes configuration files for the HP DeskJet, the HP LaserJet, and other HP-compatible printers as well. If used with a LaserJet, the printer must be equipped with 1 meg of memory, and must be configured to use its serial port at 19200 bits/sec. - The DataPak driver is designed for use with the DeskJet; it might work with the LaserJet, but that's uncertain at this time. I believe they're working on a version tailored to the LaserJet. PRICES - The Grappler LS lists for $125 (I believe) and seems to have a street- price of under $100. - The DataPak driver lists for $125; I haven't seen it discounted. SUMMARY The Grappler LS is somewhat less expensive, comes with a print spooler, and appears to be compatible with more applications. The DataPak driver is more flexible: it supports a compromise (150 DPI) mode that's faster than 300 DPI and much more readable than 75 DPI. It also can make intelligent use of the HP font cartridges; when a printer is so equipped, the DataPak driver can print 300 DPI documents 2-3 times faster than the Grappler LS. Both drivers are compatible with the current System software. Both will probably break when Apple rearchitects the Print Manager and the driver interface. Both vendors have told me that they'll update their software when the new architecture is defined. MY CONCLUSIONS I'll probably buy the DataPak driver rather than the Grappler LS, due primarily to its ability to use the HP font cartridges. The higher price of the driver, plus the $125 or so for the Times ASCII cartridge, will add about 20% to the total price of the DeskJet-plus-whatever printing package, but will probably double the throughput in 300 DPI text mode. For me, it's worth it.