laser-lovers@uw-beaver (02/16/85)
From: Bruce Nemnich <godot!bruce@cca-unix> I just spoke to a fellow at QMS named Rick Gable, who seems to be the most relevent person concerning their PostScript effort. Here's the situation: They have 10 1200A beta-test units in the field. Adobe did all the firmware, and it is a full implementation; QMS did the controller, which is basically a patched-up version of the 1200 controller. The biggest difference in the controller is the way it does i/o with the host: the 1200A does bidirectional I/O through one serial port instead of the separate serial reverse-channel hack in the 1200. A parallel port is not currently supported with the 1200A, but they are talking to Adobe about adding firmware support for it. The beta-test units have been very well-received. In the next few weeks they will be fabbing new boards so they can begin distributing more evaluation units. They will probably offer PostScript versions of all their printers (2400 and 800), though the final decision is expected in the next couple of weeks. The most probable line of action will be to produce a 2400A next since the firmware and controller will be so similar to the 1200A. Pricing will probably be remain about 20% higher than the current QUIC printers. It will be possible to upgrade existing printers by swapping controllers; the upgrade fee has not been determined but will probably be similar to the price differential of the two models (~$5k for 1200->1200A). The PostScript versions are PostScript ONLY; there is no QUIC compatability or line-printer mode. --Bruce Nemnich, Thinking Machines Corporation, Cambridge, MA ihnp4!godot!bruce, bjn@mit-mc.arpa ... soon to be bruce@tm.arpa