marc@aplpy.jhuapl.edu (Marcus Gates) (02/03/88)
We have 6 Silicon Graphics 2400T workstations on an ethernet with a
Vax running Ultrix and are in the process of evaluating color printers to
improve our hardcopy capability. We currently are able to output plots to
flat-bed plotters using 4.XBSD line-printer spooling, which allows access
to the plotter from any workstation, and also doesn't force the workstation
to be tied-up waiting for the plotter to become available.
We would prefer to use lineprinter-type spooling to share whatever color
printer we buy, among the workstations. We are looking at the Tektronix 4693D
color printer. Any experience regarding this printer or spooling of print files
would be greatly appreciated. Any suggestions or description of how others have
solved this problem would also be very useful greatly appreciated.
Also, not long ago someone posted a request for information concerning use
of the X-window system on irises, I haven't seen any replies yet. Could the
original poster please send me a summary of replies (if any) he received.
Thanks,
marc gates
johns hopkins applied physics lab
laurel, md
marc@aplpy.jhuapl.edu
marc gates
johns hopkins applied physics lab
laurel, md
marc@aplvax.jhuapl.edubwebb@gelac.UUCP ("Mr. Barry W. Webb") (02/05/88)
We have eight IRISes that are on the same XNS ethernet. We don't use a color printer but we do use a single line printer for all the machines. The configuration and software is as follows: The printer is attached to a serial port on one IRIS. I have used the 'lpadmin' command to define the line printer spooler to the system. On that IRIS I have written a program that is started in /etc/rc.local and waits for connections from the other machines on a particular socket. Once the connection is established, the program reads the data, creates a temporary file and issues an 'lp' command to submit the file to the line printer spooling system. Upon completion it again waits for another connection. On the other machines I wrote a program that accepts a file's name as the command line argument, establishes the connection to the line printer machine, and sends the file. The arrangement seems to work quite well. I have even extended the second program to PCs that are also on the network so they have access to the remote printer. Our plans are to switch to TCP/IP in the near future so we can expand the network to include a VAX, 4 SELs and 7 Symbolics. Once this is accomplished and the IRIS programs rewritten (does anyone have such programs they would like to share, I'd be glad to share mine if anyone is interested) I hope to have access to all line and laser printers that are in the configuration. Barry Webb Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Company bwebb@gelac.arpa
blbates@AERO4.LARC.NASA.GOV (Bates TAD/HRNAB ms294 x2601) (05/04/88)
Has any one heard of a company called Howtek? They have a color printer, called a Pixelmaster, with 240dpi resolution and uses plain paper. Has anyone seen, used, or heard of these printers before. We are thinking of getting a Pixelmaster and using it as a color hard copy device for our Iris. We are trying to find out what current owners think of them and what software they have for it. Thanks for any information you may have.
chfox@AERO2.LARC.NASA.GOV (TAD system manager) (05/04/88)
Howtek and its products are covered in the May 1988 issue of Computer Graphics World magazine.
SENGER@LAX.WISC.EDU (11/08/90)
I am looking to purchase a color printer to connect to my 4D25/TG. I would appreciate any information concerning models, sources, quality and approximate cost. - steve senger@lax.wisc.edu
portuesi@tweezers.esd.sgi.com (Michael Portuesi) (01/31/91)
>>>>> On 31 Jan 91 13:08:38 GMT, uh311ae@sunmanager.lrz-muenchen.de (Henrik Klagges) said: > Nevertheless, has anyone seen a color laser (like the new canon) in > SGI action or seen a thermo-transfer-wax-unit that produced quality > images over the long term ? We have one of the Canon color laser printers (the C500) here at SGI. Currently, we can only print IRIS .rgb image format files on it, but the quality of the printout is of very high quality. In addition, you can also use the printer as a high-resolution (up to 600 dpi) color scanner. It also does a fantastic job as a color photocopier. I suspect that the machine costs a small fortune. m. -- __ \/ Michael Portuesi Silicon Graphics, Inc. portuesi@sgi.com "Long before one is anything like drunk, the tongue is loosened, and words may slip out which should never have been said. Watch this particularly when it's all girls together. That femimine urge to confide may trick you into repeating what your husband said about the president and the boss's wife and how that had a lot to do with the boss's promotion -- words one of the women present is sure to make you regret some day." --Nina Fischer, "How to Help Your Husband Get Ahead" part of the Amy Vanderbilt Success Program for Women
uh311ae@sunmanager.lrz-muenchen.de (Henrik Klagges) (01/31/91)
Hey, has anyone out there solved the unsolvable color printer problem ? We have a fat, kilobuck, quality-deteriorating tektronix and would like to replace it. Hitachi says they make us happy with a video-digitizing (they have no SGI driver !!) 5000 color printer charging ONLY 32500,- US-$ (list price). Hahaha. I would prefer a Mercedes-Benz. Nevertheless, has anyone seen a color laser (like the new canon) in SGI action or seen a thermo-transfer-wax-unit that produced quality images over the long term ? Cheers ! rick@vee.lrz-muenchen.de
raolson@cornflower.wpd.sgi.com (Robert Olson) (02/01/91)
We have a Seiko 5504 in the System Software Division at SGI. It mostly works fine, although it seems to take more care and feeding than I like. We use it for making transparencies for presentations. The biggest problem is that certain kinds of projectors melt the wax, which can have an unfortunate effect on your speech. The meltdown takes 30 seconds or so to start, so what happens is you stand in front of your audience talking away, and suddenly notice that nobody seems to be paying attention any more. You turn to look at the screen and watch with them, in some dismay, until you snatch the slide off the projector. I have learned to take several test slides with me to test the projector before I start my talk.
msc@ramoth.esd.sgi.com (Mark Callow) (02/01/91)
In article <PORTUESI.91Jan31100445@tweezers.esd.sgi.com>, portuesi@tweezers.esd.sgi.com (Michael Portuesi) writes: |> >>>>> On 31 Jan 91 13:08:38 GMT, uh311ae@sunmanager.lrz-muenchen.de (Henrik Klagges) said: |> |> > Nevertheless, has anyone seen a color laser (like the new canon) in |> > SGI action or seen a thermo-transfer-wax-unit that produced quality |> > images over the long term ? |> |> We have one of the Canon color laser printers (the C500) here at SGI. |> Currently, we can only print IRIS .rgb image format files on it, but |> the quality of the printout is of very high quality. In addition, you |> can also use the printer as a high-resolution (up to 600 dpi) color |> scanner. It also does a fantastic job as a color photocopier. |> |> I suspect that the machine costs a small fortune. We are also working with CAI to get a version of their Freedom of the Press PostScript interpreter for the Canon CLC500. As Michael says its quality is very high. One of the attractions is that it prints on plain paper. Michael is also right that it costs a small fortune. I believe the copier is in the $25000 range and the IEE 488 controller with 48 megs of memory is another $20k. Annual maintenance is $10000 Because of the excellent quality and since I'm not paying for it, it's easy for me to say "it's worth it." -- From the TARDIS of Mark Callow msc@ramoth.sgi.com, ...{ames,decwrl}!sgi!msc "Spirits of genius are always opposed by mediocre minds" - Albert Einstein