HAMM@DHDEMBL5.BITNET (Greg Hamm) (02/03/86)
I have a few questions about connecting Apple LaserWriters to VAXen and
MacIntoshes. I'm posting this to both INFO-VAX and LASER-LOVERS in the
hope of finding someone who knows all sides; apologies to anyone who
sees this twice.
We're running a VAXcluster under VMS, and hope to purchase a laser
printer for it. (We're presently using Diablos for normal text and
a Versatec for TeX.) Our present plan is to purchase the Apple LaserWriter,
which I understand can emulate a Diablo 630 over an RS-232 port, which
would be a help in the transition. I also believe there is (somewhere)
TeX-to-PostScript software which will run under VMS, so our TeX output
requirements would also be met.
At about the same time, we hope to purchase a number of text-processing
stations which will probably be MacIntoshes. Obviously, we'd like to
make the LaserWriter available to both the Macs and the VAXen. We also
want to be able to move files between the Macs and the VAXen, probably
using a terminal emulator (recommendations?).
My questions to anyone with more experience in these matters:
1. Is anything in the above outline disastrous, or misinformed?
2. Are there any problems using MacTerminal over a DEC Ethernet Terminal
Server? Over ordinary RS232 lines to VAX ports?
3. Is there a way to transfer MacIntosh documents unscathed through
a VAX to the LaserWriter? Or would it be better to connect the
the Macs via AppleTalk, and run two separate LANs? Or is there
a MacEthernet connection hiding somewhere?
4. Does dual-porting (AppleTalk/RS-232) the LaserWriter really work?
A final question is about how people operate their LaserWriters. We run
in an operator-less environment (people collect their own output, etc.) in
a scientific lab. Sometimes this means that scientists with all the
fine mechanical finesse of Godzilla tend to attempt brute force repairs
(several Diablos have met their fate in this way). Can one leave a LaserWriter
unattended, or does it need supervision? Is is reasonably robust?
Does it do reasonable things when paper/toner/etc. run out?
Thanks,
Greg