[Leaplist] Hackfest Subject: Accel-A-Writer Printer

[Derek Konigsberg]

Bruce,
 	While I haven't looked up the specs for that printer, I'd 
recommend finding out if it can talk PostScript.  If it can, chances are 
that you'll be able to make it work.  That's what I love about PostScript 
printers.  The actual printer driver is a "PPD" file, which is just a text 
description file that is totally OS-independent.  You can make the things 
work with just about any OS out-there.  (and worst case, you can pretent 
they are Apple LaserWriters).

If it can't talk PostScript, find out what it can talk.  With fancy laser 
printers, they usually design them to work with standard printer 
languages.  The "winprinter" approach we're more used to with consumer 
stuff is far less common.

-Derek

On Fri, 31 Aug 2007, Bruce Metcalf wrote:

>> Don't forget on Saturday, 1 September, 2007 is the Hackfest meeting!
>
> Speaking of which, in addition to bringing in my Haunted Hardware (which now 
> seems to be happily running Debian), I have a new baby to show y'all:
>
> It's a Xanté Accel-A-Writer 8100, a laser printer than can handle 11x17" 
> pages. There does not appear to be a Linux driver available (though I'll be 
> delighted to have one of you prove me wrong). There are drivers for Windows 
> and Apple systems, but I'm having trouble getting it to work with a Windows 
> machine (big surprise!).
>
> If any of you have an Apple or Mac with an Appletalk interface, would you 
> please be so kind as to bring  it in along with a cable so I can tell if this 
> thing's a printer or a boat anchor?
>
>
> FWIW, this puppy has serial, parallel, SCSI, and Appletalk jacks on it, 
> suggestion that I ought to be able to get *one* of them to work if the unit 
> is still viable. At least I can still get cartridges for it.
>
> And if it turns out that it's headed for Barnacle City, then I'll appreciate 
> recommendations for new 11x17" laser printers, both color and black & white.
>
> Bruce Metcalf
>
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---------------------------
Derek Konigsberg
octo at logicprobe.org
http://hecgeek.blogspot.com
---------------------------