Xref: utzoo comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d:1838 comp.lang.postscript:1585
Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!mcvax!hp4nl!mhres!hst
From: hst@mh_co2.mh.nl (Klaas Hemstra)
Newsgroups: comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d,comp.lang.postscript
Subject: Re: DOS programs and PostScript
Message-ID: <2866@mhres.mh.nl>
Date: 10 Feb 89 08:38:40 GMT
References: <204@nlgvax.UUCP>
Sender: news@mhres.mh.nl
Lines: 53

From article <204@nlgvax.UUCP>, by geertj@nlgvax.UUCP (Geert Jan de Groot):
> Hi,
> 
> I would like to start a discussion on use of the PostScript language by
> DOS programs. While PostScript has the ability to build a real portable
> printer interface, most programs use some fancy method which may give
> trouble connecting a printer (for instance, laserwriter plus).
 
  ..  Stuff deleted

>  - Not use control characters, only CR, LF. Especially, no control-C,
>    control-D, control-U and the like. These control-characters are likely
>    to screw up a printer spooler, like SUNOS.

I do not agree, this should work ok.
The purpose of a network is to share printers / discs as if they were yours,
so if you can use a printer that is directly attached to your computer why
can't you use that same printer through the network ?
I would consider that a bad network.

> 
>  - Not use 8-bit characters. Not every connection is 8-bit; why should one
>    need 8-bit characters anyway?

Also not agreed.
This sounds fine when you talk about a postscript printer but may indeed
be nessecary with other printers.
Ever tried to use a Epson printer to print graphic images when there is only
an 7 bits connection to it ?

>  - Start with '%!'. This will trigger newer software that a PostScript
>    file follows. This allows mixing of PostScript with other types of 
>    files. Because % starts a comment, there is no reason to omit this
>    lead-in.
> 
>  - End with 'showpage'. What's the use of sending data without giving
>    the command to print it?
> 
 ..... Stuff deleted

Finally: I realise that maybe this followup is a little focussed on other
printers, but that s the point I try to make. I think its a mistake of the
network when certain special codes are not passed on correctly. Lately I
had a problem with an Epson and an HP Laserjet printer, both attached to a
network. They would not print graphics correctly. As it turned out the network
expanded tabs to spaces. Fortunately this "feature" could be turned off.

Thats why I find that you should not blaim PostScript for things that are
really the networks fault.

Klaas Hemstra  (hst@mh.nl)                   |    /  / ,~~~  ~~/~~
uucp: ..{uunet!}hp4nl!mh.nl!hst              |   /--/  `-,    /  ___  |_/ |__|
Multihouse N.V., Gouda, the Netherlands      |  /  / ___/    /   ---  | \ |  |