Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!SFAUSTIN.BITNET!Z4648252
From: Z4648252@SFAUSTIN.BITNET (Z4648252)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: The ST, HP DeskJet, and "permanent" ink.
Message-ID: <890504.00521811.073114@SFA.CP6>
Date: 4 May 89 06:52:19 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 56


    That the ST and the DeskJet take to each other like ducks to water is
no small understatement.  Both the Atari ST and the Hewlett Packard DeskJet
are excellent values for the money, and, as improvements and prices cuts
continue, their cost:performance ratio increases.
    The Hewlett Packard gives rock-solid performance with laser-qualtiy
resolution at a low cost when the output is judged.  There is one problem,
though, the cost of the ink cartridge.  Even while using the printer in
rough draft mode, the cartridge just doesn't last that long especially
when compared against a ribbon.  This is a sore point for me and I discussed
the "possibility" of extending the life of the cartridge by refilling it,
via a syringe, with fountain pen ink.  I stated that the results were
great and the value of the cartridge improved.  So far, my one cartridge
has netted a value of six cartridges.
    A letter from a Hewlett Packard representative appeared on the net
stating that the cartridge was not meant to be a permanent instrument due
to the potential of clogging jets and eventual breakdown.  Using the
cartridge in rough draft mode would greatly extend the cartridge's life, he
claimed.
    I agreed basically with everything he said but stated that the cost of
the cartridges were too high.  The market will probably keep the cartridge
price high since businesses can afford the cost and probably buy several
of the cartridges at a time.  As long as these cartridges are selling with
no problem of price, then the price will remain high.  In the meantime, us
home computerists who need the quality of the DeskJet output suffer by paying
the price that is affordable for businesses.
    Anyway, I just wanted to mention all of this to help ease the mail
traffic coming my way regarding clarification about the cartridges.  The
cartridge is NOT meant to be permanent and what I am doing is merely an
attempt to extend the life of the little jewel and I have had great
success.  If the cartridge's consumer cost was $5.00, then I would not be
engaged in all of this.
    Ok, regarding permanent ink and the DeskJet....
    For the past two weeks, I thought that I was on to something.  I began
experimenting with Parker's Permanent Ink and found that the cartridge ran
fine with it.  In fact, Parker's Permanent Ink yields a blacker black than
the standard ink installed into the cartridge by Hewlett Packard!  That's
hard to believe until you see test print-outs side-by-side.
    Elation set in but alas!  When I ran water on the paper, the ink ran.
    Using a regular fountain pen and the alleged Permanent Ink, I scribbled
a few lines and ran the same water test.  The ink ran!!!
    So and sigh......  this is almost as bad as discovering Santa Claus's
red suit in my grandmother's chest.  The let-down in both counts was
tremendous.  So, when is Permanent PERMANENT?
    Finally, for those wanting to experiment, make sure that you have a
spare and UNTOUCHED Hewlett Packard DeskJet ink cartridge just in case you
muck things around too much.  Use a syringe and no more than two CC's of
ink.  Refill the cartridge when it is still able to print.  If you let it
dry it out, then it may take some coaxing.  Refill when the cartridge fills
especially light when compared to a new cartridge.
    And, if anyone can tell me what PERMANENT ink means, I would be most
grateful.  GRIN
    Again, the Hewlett Packard DeskJet and the ST belong to each other.
What a team!

Larry Rymal <Z4648252@SFAUSTIN.BITNET>