simpson@trwrb.UUCP.UUCP (11/21/87)
I have recently completed a set of QMS (or Talaris) laser printer
drivers for the 4.2 BSD queueing system and I am looking for five
sites to beta test this software. Once the software is beta tested, I
will distribute it free to interested parties. The software
provides full TeX, otroff and ditroff support. It also contains
filters for the plot and fortran options of lpr. Printer
accounting is supported. It has only been tested on a Pyramid 98x and
a Sun on the QMS 800, QMS 1200 and QMS 2400. It does not run on the
QMS Postscript line of printers. I wish to test this software on a
variety of other computers running BSD. If you are running a Pyramid or
a Sun, don't send me mail. You will not get to beta test it.
All of the software was written by me. The fonts for TeX are
taken from the TeX distribution tape. The fonts for otroff and
ditroff are hacked up TeX fonts with additional characters specific to
troff. The additional characters were created by me using METAFONT.
This set of filters has a number of major improvements over my earlier
TeX and troff drivers which many of you have. First of all, this new
TeX driver uses the pk format fonts which are much more compact than
either the gf or pxl format fonts. Since the troff drivers use pk
files also, new fonts can be created for troff using METAFONT. Eight
bit download format is used to the QMS printers to get the most raster
information to the printer in the least number of characters. If the
fonts need to be rotated, then they are rotated as they are unpacked
from the pk files rather than unpacked, and then rotated. But most
significantly, the new drivers *query* the QMS printer about status
information such as ram usage and the currently downloaded fonts.
Since state information is not kept on disk or within a program's
memory, there is no inconsistency problem in case the printer is
powered down or a font is inadvertently downloaded without updating
the state information. I have not seen any driver, commercial or
otherwise, which takes full advantage of the QMS firmware in this
manner.
There are a number of criteria beta testers must meet to be
selected. First of all, your printer must use a serial connection.
The software may run under a printer with a parallel interface but I
have not tried it. Two tty ports are needed for each printer since
the QMS printers read from one serial line and send status information
on another (i.e., their debugger port). Also, the installer must
obviously have system administration (root) privileges since you will
be editing /etc/printcap and the like. If you have purchased ditroff
from AT&T, this is an extra bonus. Users close to Southern California
will be the first selected since this is where I reside. Also, I am
willing to make tapes at my expense for beta test sites but sites
willing to send a tape with return postage will receive first
priority. Lastly, people selected will be expected to test the
software extensively for installation problems, bugs and design flaws.
I want a report of any problems from them also. I have some last
minute cleaning up to do so I do not plan on distributing beta test
tapes for about a month. This will give me time to peruse the
responses also. If this sounds like your cup of tea, send me mail and
I will notify you if you are selected. Please state if you have
ditroff.
Scott Simpson
TRW Space and Defense
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