todd@CINCOM.UMD.EDU ("TODD AVEN") (09/13/86)
The LN03 will handle TeX output if one uses the LN03 driver provided on the TeX tape for VMS (I think the UNIX tape probably has it also). Once upon a time I set up an LN03 with TeX 1.4(?), VMS 4.x, a DMF-32, and no RAM cartridge, using an older version of the LN03 driver currently distributed. The LN03 driver (at least the one that I used) created a file which contained ALL fonts used in the TeX source file, followed by the actual LN03 commands to set the appropriate characters at the appropriate locations. As I said, I got away with doing this with no RAM cartridge, but that only works for VERY simple documents (as I recall, the memory built into my LN03 was approx. 27Kbytes, good for about 5-6 10pt fonts?). You definitely need a RAM cartridge (128Kbytes, I think), and probably two to be safe. On the topic of LN03 purchases, be aware that DEC has an LN03 PLUS which is much the same as the LN03, but accepts Tek4010/4014 graphics directly, and graphics like that can look very nice at 300dpi. Did the LN03 ever get a parallel port option? If not, why not? Todd Aven Systems Engineering, Inc. ------