gsk@khaki (12/29/87)
i posted a query about dot-matrix graphics standards
a month or two ago. this note summarizes the replies
i received and my own conclusions on the matter.
thanks to those who replied!
this was the original request:
i'd like to hear net people's opinions about the relative
importance of various dot matrix graphics standards.
i'd like to maximize the compatiblity of my programs
with all the installed dot matrix printers in the world and,
at the same time, minimize time spent implementing each
manufacturer's graphics formats.
here are my conclusions:
it turns out that the Epson FX series and the IBM Proprinter
series are genetically related, and they share a common core
of graphics escape sequences.
further, more than 90% of current-model dot-matrix printers
support this common core, either directly or through emulation
modes that are set with DIP switches or escape sequences.
thus, i expect that software with modest aspirations will
do very well implementing only this one standard.
(if you disagree with this statement, please let me know)
in the world of laser printers, the same can be said
of the HP Laserjet.
note well that this discussion is only concerned with
raster graphics, not with any wider compatibility issues.
here are condensed versions of all the replies to my query:
1) Tom Reingold
Actually, I think you have reason to be optimistic.
There is a standard called IBM Graphics which is pretty common.
A lot of printers use this, or make it available in different ways.
To get a good list of printers that people use a lot, go into the
install facility in Lotus 1-2-3 and see the list there.
Tom Reingold INTERNET: tr@bellcore.bellcore.com
Bell Communications Research UUCP: <backbone>!bellcore!tr
435 South St room 2L350 SOUNDNET: (201) 829-4622 [work]
Morristown, NJ 07960 (201) 287-2345 [home]
2) Edward Vielmetti
Check out the recent PC Magazine printer issue. Almost every
printer in it emulates one or another of the following:
9-pin: epson fx, ibm proprinter
24-pin: epson lq, toshiba
laser: hp laserjet, postscript
If you get these 6 - or just 4 for dot printers, and postscript is
quite different from the others - you'll be well set.
From: sun!pepe.cc.umich.edu!emv (Edward Vielmetti)
Postal-Address: Computing Center, 1075 Beal Ave., Ann Arbor MI 48109
Phone: (313) 747-3744
3) Bill Dunn
dont forget about C. Itoh 8510 series
(which has the same codes as a NEC 8550?, or some other NEC).
I know quite a few people with these type of printers.
Bill Dunn - ihnp4!ihlpf!dunn
hope some of you find this useful.
George S. Kong, Silicon Graphics, Inc., (415)962-3281
gsk@sgi.com
...{decwrl,allegra,sun,adobe,ucbvax,pyramid,ames}!sgi!gsk