MAT6013@DMZRZU71.BITNET (Matthias Kapffer) (12/14/87)
The ProGrappler build in CDA allows you to dump (at any time where you can
call the CDA menu) everything except block graphics and page 2 of the double
modes (80 col text & double hires) with rotation, scaling, inverting, window
selection, color (on appropriate printers) etc. - text of course will be just
text.
I have no troubles with most of the software especially those accessing the
hardware directly - actually switching from Grappler+ to ProGrappler solved a
lot of troubles I had: When sending new data to quick after an acknowledge for
the last byte was detected some of the characters could get lost on my Epson
FX-105 printer (via a centronics type parallel connection !). This was even
worser after upgrading from a ][+ to IIgs (not only in the fast mode !).
But the ProGrappler has also some incompatiblities, quirks and bugs:
- The IRQ-on-ACK feature silently has been removed (I already had some self
made software using this like a printer buffer under ProDOS BASIC).
- Entering and leaving the CDA selects annunciator 3 off ($C05E) switching to
double hires while using hires and 80 col text.
- The firmware insists on the printer being online, feed with paper etc. much
to often, for example when the interface gets initialized forcing you to
turn on the printer (and load paper) or deselect slot 1 in the control panel
everytime booting Apple Pascal or CP/M although it may not be needed or when
you call the CDA (confusingly looks like a "silent" crash - no invitation to
place the printer online !).
- Changing the command character from ^I to ^Y will survive the next
initialization (even with the hold mode off as per default) causing a tab
character to be send to the printer when the program is run for the second
time.
Does anybody know if there is a newer version of the firmware (mine is 1.0) ?
Matthias Kapffer
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