LisaList2
General Category => LisaList2 => Topic started by: andrew on February 20, 2024, 01:58:01 am
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Is there a straightforward way to network a Lisa to a modern printer? I'm thinking of getting an ImageWriter but I'd rather not have to purchase and maintain a 40 year old printer if there's an alternative solution. I specifically want to be able to print out graphical documents from LisaDraw and the rest of the 7/7.
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To my knowledge there are no ways of getting the Office System to talk to a modern printer - it's Apple Daisy Wheel, ImageWriter, or Canon Inkjet only.
There are ImageWriter emulations in a couple of the big Apple II emulators. How complete they are, how they function, and how hard it'd be to make that code standalone I couldn't tell you.
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I have not tried it myself, but this device seems promising:
https://www.plaidvest.com/newprint.html (https://www.plaidvest.com/newprint.html)
This device emulates an Imagewriter and outputs the results to a modern device over wifi. With the proper cable for the Lisa, it should work.
If someone tests this, please let the group know how it worked.
Rick
UPDATE: I just ordered one these, I will report back on if it works or not...
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I have not tried it myself, but this device seems promising...
I believe that product emulates a parallel port printer, while the Apple ImageWriter is a serial port printer. Does that distinction make a difference here?
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https://www.plaidvest.com/newprint.html (https://www.plaidvest.com/newprint.html)
This device emulates an Imagewriter.
I also recall that the original "ImageWriter" is serial. IIRC, the parallel port predecessor/equivalent was the Apple DMP, so I'm guessing that's what will be emulated.
I vaguely recollect that (most of) the commands were the same between the ImageWriter and DMP and so a serial - parallel converter would work for most purposes.
The ImageWriter II has an expansion slot, for which an AppleTalk card was available ... perhaps there was a parallel port option for it too.
Perhaps some of the Apple laser printers that had parallel ports could emulate an Apple ][ compatible DMP as well?
edit: 'cause ried beat me to it
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If that device is usable as a Lisa Printer, I'll definitely be getting it. Presumably, if it can work with a Lisa, it can work with a Mac, which means it would solve my printing needs for both my 2/10 and my Mac Plus. The only other question would be how best to share it between them.
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When the Lisa was 1st released in 1983, the ImageWriter did not exist yet. Apples dot matrix printer at the time was the Apple DMP, and it had a parallel port interface. In late 1983 to be ready for the introduction of the Macintosh, Apple introduced the Imagewriter that had a serial interface ( both the Mac and the IIc were serial only and the DMP would not connect to them ). In fact both the DMP and the Imagewriter are both just rebadged C. Itoh 8510 printers, and as such the commands and features are the same.
The Lisa supported the DMP connected to a parallel interface (you needed a Lisa Dual Par port card and cable ), and later supported the ImageWriter using the serial interface.
The NewPrint device is parallel interface only, and should work with Lisa using the DMP driver. The NewPrint device will not work directly with Macintosh unless you also use a par to serial converter too.
The original Apple LaserWriter did offer ImageWriter emulation, when connected via it's serial port, and later Apple shipped a Postscript based ImageWriter emulator for localtalk connected LaserWriters with GS-OS for the Apple IIgs.
Rick
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Well... guess I can't use a NewPrint right now since I don't have a parallel port card. Maybe it would be cheaper to just get an ImageWriter...
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... I can't use a NewPrint right now since I don't have a parallel port card. Maybe it would be cheaper to just get an ImageWriter...
With a 'real' ImageWriter then you're then dealing with ribbons and presumably looking for tractor feed paper.
Also, I wonder when the serial printer driver first appeared... I suggest checking in case a parallel printer is the only option for the Workshop or earlier LOS versions?
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Is there a straightforward way to network a Lisa to a modern printer?
So, you want "straightforward" and "modern" solution, but also "cheaper" too?
The Lisa is from 1983, an as advanced as she was at the time, in 1983 most printing solutions used parallel interfaces.
Rick
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So, you want "straightforward" and "modern" solution, but also "cheaper" too?
I mean I realize there's no silver bullet here nor do I mean to complain; some sacrifice must be made whether it's convenience or price. It would be nice to actually have a need for a parallel port card; I might as well take advantage of the Lisa's expandability if I have an opportunity to.
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I have ordered one of the NewPrint devices and once I receive it, I will test it out.
Like James had pointed out, this may work as a "modern" output solution for older versions of the LOS that may only support par-port printers.
While the NewPrint will not work with Macintosh serial ports, it should work with MacWorks on Lisa, as there is a utility to add a par-port driver to MacWorks (called "Parallel Port Install").
Rick
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The original Apple LaserWriter did offer ImageWriter emulation, when connected via it's serial port, and later Apple shipped a Postscript based ImageWriter emulator for localtalk connected LaserWriters with GS-OS for the Apple IIgs.
Have you gotten this to work? I've tried a few times with my LaseWriter, and while the emulation loads it does not actually print ImageWriter data.
-J
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older versions of the LOS that may only support par-port printers.
LOS 1.0 will work with an ImageWriter over serial, FWIW. Maybe there are developmental versions that don't? (I've never seen a pre-1.0 version of LOS.)
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The original Apple LaserWriter did offer ImageWriter emulation, when connected via it's serial port, and later Apple shipped a Postscript based ImageWriter emulator for localtalk connected LaserWriters with GS-OS for the Apple IIgs.
Have you gotten this to work? I've tried a few times with my LaseWriter, and while the emulation loads it does not actually print ImageWriter data.
-J
I don't have a LaserWriter now, but back in the 1980's I did use the LaserWriter emulation mode and it worked, but I realize it was the built-in Diablo 630 emulation and not a ImageWriter emulation.
AFAIK, the PS ImageWriter download that was included with GSOS only worked over LocalTalk, and would not be much help for LOS..
Rick