gklimes@gmu90x.UUCP (George Klimes) (05/24/89)
I currently own two Radio Shack printers, the DMP-200 and the CGP-220.
What I would like to know is if there are equivalent printers with
different names (from different manufacturers). What I'd like to know is
if I can use my printers (from my Tandy 3000HL) with software drivers for
other printers from the various software packages out there that do not
mention these printers as being supported.
I have a particular interest in my CGP-220 since it is a color ink jet
printer (great for drawing programs) and right now only Micro Illustrator,
which runs on my Tandy 1000, seems to utilize it.
Please understand that I am not referring to text-only output. I really
care about graphics. I realize that neither has IBM's character set for
ASCII codes above 127. But I would like to get more out of these printers,
especially the CGP-220. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
--- George Klimes
Graduate Student
George Mason University
BITNET =====> GKLIMES@GMUVAX
INTERNET ===> GKLIMES@GMU90X.GMU.EDU or GKLIMES@GMUVAX.GMU.EDUjapplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) (05/24/89)
In article <1994@gmu90x.UUCP>, gklimes@gmu90x.UUCP (George Klimes) writes: > I have a particular interest in my CGP-220 since it is a color ink jet > printer (great for drawing programs) and right now only Micro Illustrator, > which runs on my Tandy 1000, seems to utilize it. Actually, I have found two other programs that work on the CGP-220... The old version of Z-Soft Paintbrush distributed with the MS Mouse... and Pizass Plus... unfortunately Pizass Plus does not support the 16 color graphics modes of the 1000 or color on the CGP-220! The CGP-220 was actually made for Tandy by Canon... and a similar printer was sold by IBM, Canon, and Brother... all but the Tandy were compatible... I have several programs that support all but the Tandy... once again Tandy arrogance and refusal to conform to industry standards has screwed the consumer... for the most part my CGP-220 has been a waste... I use it a couple of times a year to make cards or invites for my kids to send out and thats about all... Recently, I got a copy of the windows DDK and have at least started to look into developing a windows driver for it... if I get it working I will probably post it here... That's the trick with Tandy computers... the users have to support them cause Tandy doesn't care about anything but SALES SALES SALES! - Joe Applegate - ======================STANDARD DISCLAIMER============================ All views and opinions are my own and do not represent the views or opinions of the Colorado School of Mines, whatever they might be. =====================================================================
res@ihlpb.ATT.COM (Rich Strebendt) (05/26/89)
In article <1994@gmu90x.UUCP>, gklimes@gmu90x.UUCP (George Klimes) writes: > I currently own two Radio Shack printers, the DMP-200 and the CGP-220. > What I would like to know is if there are equivalent printers with > different names (from different manufacturers). What I'd like to know is > if I can use my printers (from my Tandy 3000HL) with software drivers for > other printers from the various software packages out there that do not > mention these printers as being supported. I also own a Tandy DMP-200 which I now have hooked up to a 386 box. It is fine for ASCII, but not for graphics. The reason is simply that this printer supports a standard that Tandy defined years ago for printers in its product line. Unfortunately, this standard is not compatible with the more recent interfaces defined by various manufacturers for use with MSDOS boxes. Unless the package you are using supports this Tandy standard, the printer cannot be used for graphics for that package. Even if you found that the printer had been manufactured for Tandy by a well known printer vendor, it would have been manufactured to Tandy's specifications and standards, not the usual ones for that vendor. Rich Strebendt ...!att!ihlpj!res
johnm@spudge.UUCP (John Munsch) (05/26/89)
The hardware of the CGP220 is identical to the Canon 1080A (which I believe is still sold) but that won't help you any because it has completely different software in its rom. Amiga drivers for the Canon wouldn't work for the CGP so I had to roll my own. What might help you is a package called Pizazz Plus. They have an add on page 229 of the June 13, 1989 issue of PC Magazine and basically all their product does is print graphics. One of the printers that they specifically mention having support for is the CGP220. See if this will do what you want. Otherwise, you are probably stuck unless you want to write the printing software yourself. The CGP is very easy to write for and if you know C and you know the file format of what you are trying to print then you should be able to crank out a driver with ease. Let me know if this is the route you want to take and I'll post some suggestions on how to dither with that particular printer. John Munsch
leonard@bucket.UUCP (Leonard Erickson) (05/27/89)
In article <1994@gmu90x.UUCP> gklimes@gmu90x.UUCP (George Klimes) writes:
<I currently own two Radio Shack printers, the DMP-200 and the CGP-220.
<What I would like to know is if there are equivalent printers with
<different names (from different manufacturers). What I'd like to know is
<if I can use my printers (from my Tandy 3000HL) with software drivers for
<other printers from the various software packages out there that do not
<mention these printers as being supported.
<
<I have a particular interest in my CGP-220 since it is a color ink jet
<printer (great for drawing programs) and right now only Micro Illustrator,
<which runs on my Tandy 1000, seems to utilize it.
Well, the CGP-220 looks suspiciously like a Quadram Quadjet. But I
rather doubt they are compatible at the level you need (but I'd bet
the ink cartridges are interchangeable!)
The problem is best described by reffering to my DMP-2100. This printer is
for all practical purposes, a Toshiba (p-351?) with A DIFFERENT SET OF ROMS!
The ROMs are the problem. Tandy printers without IBM emulation modes are
essentially useless for graphics except with software that supports Tandy
grapics.
I do have a couple of programs that will let you use an older Tandy printer
with the version of PrintShop that supports the newer Tandy printers. (No
program would be necessary if they hadn't "kludged" the Tandy support. PS
Goes into graphics mode, prints a line of graphics, goes *out* of graphics
mode, sends codes to do the right kind of partial linefeed (which aren't
valid for older Tandy printers like my DMP-500), goes back into graphics
mode, prints another line of graphics, etc... all they *really* needed to do
is go into graphics mode, send a line of graphics data, do a CR/LF, send
the next line of data... and then exit graphics mode at the end of the printout.. <sigh>
--
Leonard Erickson ...!tektronix!reed!percival!bucket!leonard
CIS: [70465,203]
"I'm all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools.
Let's start with typewriters." -- Solomon Shortdoug@letni.LawNet.Com (Doug Davis) (05/30/89)
In article <1420@bucket.UUCP> leonard@bucket.UUCP (Leonard Erickson) writes: >The problem is best described by reffering to my DMP-2100. This printer is >for all practical purposes, a Toshiba (p-351?) with A DIFFERENT SET OF ROMS! >The ROMs are the problem. Tandy printers without IBM emulation modes are >essentially useless for graphics except with software that supports Tandy >grapics. Gosh, IBM printers without Tandy emulation modes are essentially useless for graphics, expect with software that support IBM graphics. Remeber folks, Tandy had the "Tandy" standard long before PC's were a gleam in IBM's eye. Now will someone tell me how to make my 2Mhz model 4 run at four, "Just by raising a pin." ;-) doug --- Doug Davis/LawNet/1030 Pleasant Valley Lane/Arlington/Texas/76015/817-467-3740 {sys1.tandy.com, motown!sys1, uiucuxc!sys1 lawnet, killer, texbell} letni!doug
pak@meccsd.MECC.MN.ORG (Patricia A. Korn) (05/30/89)
Actually the CGP-220 is not quite identical in hardware to the Canon, though it is very similar. Careful inspection reveals a few small differences. It is true that the ROMS are quite different, but we tried swapping the ROM in the Canon with one from a CGP-220, and the Canon still would not work like a CGP-220. Pat Korn
leonard@bucket.UUCP (Leonard Erickson) (05/31/89)
In article <3421@letni.LawNet.Com> doug@letni.LawNet.Com (Doug Davis) writes: <In article <1420@bucket.UUCP> leonard@bucket.UUCP (Leonard Erickson) writes: <>The problem is best described by reffering to my DMP-2100. This printer is <>for all practical purposes, a Toshiba (p-351?) with A DIFFERENT SET OF ROMS! <>The ROMs are the problem. Tandy printers without IBM emulation modes are <>essentially useless for graphics except with software that supports Tandy <>grapics. I should have said "except with the RARE software that supports Tandy graphic PROPERLY. <Gosh, IBM printers without Tandy emulation modes are essentially useless <for graphics, expect with software that support IBM graphics. < <Remeber folks, Tandy had the "Tandy" standard long before PC's were a <gleam in IBM's eye. What I want to know is why all the programs that claim to support Tandy printers either only support them in IBM mode (whoopee! so they just use the IBM driver again... big deal..) or else only support the models that already have IBM emulation. Sure I can buy a new Epson. But I can't afford on as fast as either my DMP-500 or DMP-2100. And The nearest equivalent I can find to the CGP-220 is an HP Paintjet at $1k! :-( -- Leonard Erickson ...!tektronix!reed!percival!bucket!leonard CIS: [70465,203] "I'm all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with typewriters." -- Solomon Short
japplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) (05/31/89)
In article <852@spudge.UUCP>, johnm@spudge.UUCP (John Munsch) writes: > > What might help you is a package called Pizazz Plus. They have an add on page > 229 of the June 13, 1989 issue of PC Magazine and basically all their product > does is print graphics. One of the printers that they specifically mention > having support for is the CGP220. See if this will do what you want. Unfortunately Pizass Plus does not support any Tandy video modes or COLOR on the CGP-220... but then this is typical... the industry will not support Tandy standards because Tandy historically refuses to release numbers on various machines sold or sell third party software in their stores... The exception to this has been the game market for the 1000... Lately Tandy has begun selling quite a few games through it's stores and as a result many games now support the 1000 graphics... unfortunately I did not buy my 1000 for games, I already had a Coco with over 400 games (less than 20 were Tandy!), and most of the Coco games are better than MSDOS ones anyway... But for real computer users the Tandy graphics is a nice and relatively un- supported feature... and Tandy specific printers are worthless... - Joe Applegate - ======================STANDARD DISCLAIMER============================ All views and opinions are my own and do not represent the views or opinions of the Colorado School of Mines, whatever they might be. =====================================================================
japplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) (06/01/89)
Just noting that today when I got my update package for Wordstar 5.5
I noticed that they now support the CGP-220 (along with quite a few
other Tandy printers) and even in color!
On the bad side they don't support graphics captures in Tandy graphics
modes or on Tandy printers...
Too bad there's not a neighborhood computer store that sells industry
standard equiptment... we could call them Computer Hut's and find quality
merchandise at a competative price, that really works with our software...
nahh... some marketing clown would find away to drive them out of business...
- Joe Applegate -
======================STANDARD DISCLAIMER============================
All views and opinions are my own and do not represent the views or
opinions of the Colorado School of Mines, whatever they might be.
=====================================================================doug@letni.LawNet.Com (Doug Davis) (06/01/89)
In article <1572@csm9a.UUCP> japplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) writes: >Unfortunately Pizass Plus does not support any Tandy video modes or COLOR on >the CGP-220... but then this is typical... the industry will not support >Tandy standards because Tandy historically refuses to release numbers on >various machines sold or sell third party software in their stores... Oh, No? Then I guess the "1988 Express Order Catalog" that I have right here, that is WRITTEN by tandy, PUBLISHED by tandy, and available free of charge in your local TANDY computer center, subject to availability. Is just a figment of my imagination? That must meen that the 300+ Pages with an average of 7 Third party peices of software per-page must *ALSO* be a figment of my imagination? Perhaps if you were to ask really really nicely they might even give you a copy. > and Tandy specific printers are worthless... Gee, Such a broad statement, and I suppose that you can offer some suggestions on which NON-TANDY printer to use with say, Radio Shack Busniess Graphics packages? Or how about Scripsit? Oh now theres an interesting item, voted the most popular unix word processor by the readers of "UNIX" world, and from the factory, scripsit only supports TANDY printers. Maybe you should modify your statment a bit? doug -- Doug Davis/1030 Pleasant Valley Lane/Arlington/Texas/76015/817-467-3740 {sys1.tandy.com, motown!sys1, uiucuxc!sys1 lawnet, killer, texbell} letni!doug "If your not running an MC68030-33 Your only using a processor."
gmadison@pnet02.cts.com (George Madison) (06/02/89)
japplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) writes: >Tandy standards because Tandy historically refuses to release numbers on >various machines sold or sell third party software in their stores... > Gee, you mean that Tandy wrote WordPerfect, Excel, Lotus, and all that stuff?? Golly, who'da thunk it? |George Madison, a/k/a George The Bear Cub, a/k/a Furr ** BEAR POWER **| |INET: gmadison@pnet02.cts.com 8-{)> ames!elroy!pnet02.cts.com!gmadison| |GEnie: GEORGE.M Arctophiles & Barbophiles Unite! PLink: BEARDLOVER|
gmadison@pnet02.cts.com (George Madison) (06/02/89)
japplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) writes: > >Too bad there's not a neighborhood computer store that sells industry >standard equiptment... we could call them Computer Hut's and find quality >merchandise at a competative price, that really works with our software... >nahh... some marketing clown would find away to drive them out of business... > Or there would be some weirdo with a wild hair in a tender place who could do nothing but badmouth them, and spread disinformation..... |George Madison, a/k/a George The Bear Cub, a/k/a Furr ** BEAR POWER **| |INET: gmadison@pnet02.cts.com 8-{)> ames!elroy!pnet02.cts.com!gmadison| |GEnie: GEORGE.M Arctophiles & Barbophiles Unite! PLink: BEARDLOVER|
fetrow@bones.stat.washington.edu (Dave Fetrow) (06/03/89)
>>japplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) writes: >>Too bad there's not a neighborhood computer store that sells industry >>standard equiptment... > I've bought a LOT of micros over the years (something like 40) and, every time I go out and look at all the places to buy computers the same experiences happen (There are a LOT of places selling computers what with Microsoft and RIM and the PC-Write folks, etc. within a few miles). EVERYBODY has bozo salesmen, nonstandard (or nonworking) equipment, etc. The trick is to find the most knowledgeable person in the store and deal with him (or her) exclusively. If they are hopeless, go to the next store, company, whatever. Tandy can be an excellent choice, but an awful lot depends on the local store. Note that they DO sell industry standard equipment, they also sell non-standard equipment. We've had pretty good experiences with our local Tandy center and the service has been consistently better than good. They'll come out and say things like: this machine isn't compatable enough for your application (notice they took the time to find out what the application is), etc. Obviously they aren't my only choice when going shopping but this particular place has made my "A" list of places to check and they earned that over a period of 2 years. Disclaimer: This is all personal opinion, not that of UW or the department or anything like that. -dave fetrow- fetrow@bones.biostat.washington.edu dfetrow@uwalocke (bitnet) {uunet}!uw-beaver!uw-entropy!fetrow "It's 1989! I'm supposed to take a language with `cards' in it seriously?"
japplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) (06/04/89)
In article <16348@gryphon.COM>, gmadison@pnet02.cts.com (George Madison) writes: > japplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) writes: > >Tandy standards because Tandy historically refuses to release numbers on > >various machines sold or sell third party software in their stores... > > > > Gee, you mean that Tandy wrote WordPerfect, Excel, Lotus, and all that stuff?? > Golly, who'da thunk it? Please notice that I said: "Historically" When I bought my 1000A Lotus 2.01 was already available but the only version most Tandy salemen had ever heard of the the 1000 specific 1A version carried in their stores... on a whim once I went to several of the computer centers and asked "Isn't their a later version of Lotus than this?" Everyone said this was not only the latest version but a few of their mis-information clerks told me it was better than the stock version cause Tandy had redesigned it ???? So according to the shoe salesmen that Tandy hires maybe they do "write all that stuff"... BTW, I have yet to see Excel or Wordperfect in any Tandy store... and I was in one yesterday looking to see what they were carrying now days... And I'm not sure about seeing Lotus 2.01??? But they sure do have lots a games for them there computers... why ya might think you was buyin' a Nitendo or somethin' "Tandy, There are so many better values" - Joe Applegate - ======================STANDARD DISCLAIMER============================ All views and opinions are my own and do not represent the views or opinions of the Colorado School of Mines, whatever they might be. =====================================================================
japplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) (06/05/89)
In article <3462@letni.LawNet.Com>, doug@letni.LawNet.Com (Doug Davis) writes: > In article <1572@csm9a.UUCP> japplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) writes: > >Unfortunately Pizass Plus does not support any Tandy video modes or COLOR on > >the CGP-220... but then this is typical... the industry will not support > >Tandy standards because Tandy historically refuses to release numbers on > >various machines sold or sell third party software in their stores... > Oh, No? Then I guess the "1988 Express Order Catalog" that I have > right here, that is WRITTEN by tandy, PUBLISHED by tandy, and available > free of charge in your local TANDY computer center, subject to availability. > Is just a figment of my imagination? That must meen that the 300+ Pages > with an average of 7 Third party peices of software per-page must *ALSO* > be a figment of my imagination? Perhaps if you were to ask really really > nicely they might even give you a copy. A few years back we went to 10 different RS's and asked for Coco items known to be in the Express Order Catalog... when no one could tell us they existed we asked if their was any OTHER source of software for Tandy computers... not one store produced an express order catalog... It's real nice that it exists but they ought to tell their shoe salemen! > > and Tandy specific printers are worthless... > Gee, Such a broad statement, and I suppose that you can offer some > suggestions on which NON-TANDY printer to use with say, Radio > Shack Busniess Graphics packages? Or how about Scripsit? Oh now > theres an interesting item, voted the most popular unix word processor > by the readers of "UNIX" world, and from the factory, scripsit only > supports TANDY printers. Says a lot about Word Processing on the UNIX platform doesn't it... having tried Scrip"shit" on the Coco, Model III, Model 100, and MSDOS platforms I found it to be the absolute WORST word processor in each (well maybe not worst... there is after all Desk"crate")... I am amased that their is nothing better under UNIX??? No wonder I use MSDOS! > Maybe you should modify your statment a bit? Maybe Tandy should modify the business practices that alienate so many of their users. - Joe Applegate - ======================STANDARD DISCLAIMER============================ All views and opinions are my own and do not represent the views or opinions of the Colorado School of Mines, whatever they might be. =====================================================================
doug@letni.LawNet.Com (Doug Davis) (06/05/89)
In article <1591@csm9a.UUCP> japplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) writes: >A few years back we went to 10 different RS's and asked for Coco items >known to be in the Express Order Catalog... when no one could tell us >they existed we asked if their was any OTHER source of software for >Tandy computers... not one store produced an express order catalog... How many years ago? The express order catalog has only "existed" for a "few years." Also what kind of RS store are you dealing with? There are regular "Radio Shacks" those are the stores that sell doggie radios as a first prority and computers as a sideline. Then there are 'Tandy Computer Centers' Now those sell computers and computer related equipment, period. Perhaps a 'few years back' you were correct, but now its awful hard to find a "Computer Center" sales person who doesn't know what an "express order" is. Thats how they make their lunch money. >It's real nice that it exists but they ought to tell their shoe salemen! Why would a shoe salesman need to know about a computer catalog? Thats for computer salesmen, perhaps if you quit going to shoe stores to buy computers you would have less of a problem. >Says a lot about Word Processing on the UNIX platform doesn't it... >having tried Scrip"shit" on the Coco, Model III, Model 100, and MSDOS >platforms I found it to be the absolute WORST word processor in each >(well maybe not worst... there is after all Desk"crate")... I am amased >that their is nothing better under UNIX??? That is a personal opinion, I would suspect that others dissagree since RS sells an awlful lot of scripsit(s) especially for MSDOS. Now that NEXUS is selling scripsit for a whole range of unix machines you will be seeing more and more of it, coming to get you Joe, you can't escape. >No wonder I use MSDOS! Most likely you don't know any better. (appologies to the rest of you, but that was too easy..) >Maybe Tandy should modify the business practices that alienate so many of >their users. If you haven't noticed they have, perhaps if you would stop your confounded ranting about how bad tandy is, you might notice that tandy *HAS* improved quite a bit since the original days. doug -- Doug Davis/LawNet/1030 Pleasant Valley Lane/Arlington/Texas/76015/817-467-3740 {sys1.tandy.com, motown!sys1, uiucuxc!sys1 lawnet, killer, texbell} letni!doug
paradis@xenna.Encore.COM (Jim Paradis) (06/07/89)
In article <1588@csm9a.UUCP> japplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) writes: >"Tandy, There are so many better values" Y'know, I've been watching this go back && forth for a while, and I have to say that for once in my life (Joe, are you sitting down?) I find myself in total agreement with Joe Applegate. Perhaps it's because I, like Joe, was burned by one of Tandy's earliest MS-DOS offerings.... in my case it was the Tandy 2000. Back then, Tandy figgered it could do like it did before and keep all the marbles for itself by designing proprietary (or semi-proprietary) machines and holding a monopoly on peripherals and support. Of course, in about this same time-frame IBM's open architecture was starting to make PCs and peripherals commodity items. Tandy (slowly) recognized this, and most of their offerings from the 1200 on were pretty PCompatible. But when I owned the 2000, I had nothing but headaches because not only was Tandy the only source of support, but I too found nothing but "shoe salesmen" at the RS stores and computer centers that I went to. I mean, if I went in asking about something that wasn't part of the "standard" package, these guys were totally lost. I'm not talking about anything esoteric either... I'm talking about, say, wanting to hang a 20Mb hard disk off of my machine (Tandy only offered a 10). For these guys, the glossy catalog seemed to be the ONLY reference they had available -- if it wasn't in there, it couldn't be done. And then, of course, they'd try to steer me towards what WAS available, regardless of whether it was suitable for me or not (gotta get those commissions, y'know!). I had one salesman try to convince me that 10Mb was more storage than I'd EVER need, and that it would take a LONG time to fill it up. Maybe someone like him who types in BASIC programs with two fingers and his nose, but for anyone who does REAL computing there is NEVER enuff space! And then there were the Tandy peripheral prices! The hard disk upgrade for the Tandy 2000 cost $1600 in 1985. At the same time, a 20Mb hard disk kit for the IBM-PC could be had for $500. I even pointed out to the guys at the computer center that they offered a WHOLE COMPUTER with a 10Mb disk (the Tandy 1200, priced at about $1500) for less than the hard disk alone for the 2000. Nonetheless, NOTHING in the universe seems to be able to pry a discount out of these guys... I finally managed to offload my 2000 a couple years ago... and from now on I REFUSE to set foot in a Radio Shack for computer goods... Hell, Radio Shack just hasn't been the same since they stopped selling P-Box[tm] kits... Jim Paradis paradis@encore.com 508-460-0500 (My other .signature is a witty saying)