ravi@aspen.IAG.HP.COM (T M Ravi) (10/27/90)
Hi Folks, Sorry to use this newsgroup for routine requests like this - My friend has a Sun at home and want a cheap printer. Does anyone know of any software that will allow dvi, Postscript, tex etc. files to be printed on a HP Deskjet or a Deskjet+. Thanks ravi ravi@iag.hp.com 408 447 4552
ram@shukra.Eng.Sun.COM (Renu Raman) (10/28/90)
In article <1970001@aspen.IAG.HP.COM> ravi@aspen.IAG.HP.COM (T M Ravi) writes: > >friend has a Sun at home and want a cheap printer. Does anyone know of >any software that will allow dvi, Postscript, tex etc. files to be >printed on a HP Deskjet or a Deskjet+. > >ravi >ravi@iag.hp.com >408 447 4552 I apologize too for posting this, if it offends anybody. The reason(s) are a) I have seen repeated requests for printer solutions on Suns b) I have a general question on "will this be the trend"? i.e. use general purpose computers/workstations (It started out with NeXT) as rendering engines and with minimal interface drive laser engines. NEW PRINTING SOLUTION FROM SUN DELIVERS SPEED, LOW COST FOR A RANGE OF OUTPUT DEVICES NeWSprint Gives Printers PostScript Compatibility Fast, Inexpensive SPARCprinter Is Ideal Output Device MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. --September 26, 1990-- Sun Microsystems today unveiled a new approach to printing that complements the performance and distributed computing capabilities of UNIX(R) workstations. Until now, UNIX systems -- the computing model for the `90s -- have employed a printing model from the `80s borrowed from the PC industry. Sun's NeWSprint(TM), new software for its SPARC(R) computers that is part of Sun's new printing solution, makes workgroup printing less expensive and faster than it has ever been before. The other part of Sun's solution is SPARCprinter(TM), a quick (two to five times faster than competing products), low-cost laser printer designed as the ideal output device for the NeWSprint software. Besides SPARCprinter, NeWSprint can work with a range of output devices, including popular printers from Hewlett-Packard and Seiko. With NeWSprint, Sun reinforces its aggressive drive into broad, general-purpose computer markets, particularly those dominated by PCs. This printing solution will be demonstrated at the Seybold Computer Publishing Conference and Exposition on October 3-5 in San Jose, Calif. The PC printing model revolves around an "intelligent" printer whose built-in processor and memory make the device more expensive. For example, PostScript(R), the industry-standard page description language, usually requires such dedicated hardware. Inadequate processor performance and the need to carry out functions such as downloading fonts also make PC printing slow. NeWSprint departs from the PC model. This software resides in a Sun SPARCstation(TM) or SPARCserver(TM). No intelligence is necessary in the printer; instead, the computer's powerful CPU controls the output device, with little system performance degradation during printing. NeWSprint enables any output device hooked to the Sun system -- from dot matrix, ink jet and laser printers to color thermal printers and plotters -- to produce high-quality, PostScript-compatible output quickly and inexpensively. Any computer on the network can send printing jobs to these output devices via the Sun system. "For the first time, printing resources on a UNIX network can be driven by the SPARC processor -- delivering faster printing times and allowing users to continue working on other applications simultaneously," said Wayne Rosing, vice president of Sun's Desktop Systems and Graphics Group. "NeWSprint leverages the CPU, memory and network capabilities of the SPARCstation. It doesn't re-invent printing standards; rather, it makes them more available." Sun also announced today that NeWSprint can operate with many printers in various technologies from leading manufacturers such as Canon, Epson, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, Kodak, Xerox, Mitsubishi, Okidata, Raster Graphics, Seiko, Talaris and Versatec. SPARCprinter: Twice the Printer at Half the Cost The other half of Sun's new open printing solution, SPARCprinter, provides twice the speed, much better print resolution and more fonts at less than half the cost of the Sun LaserWriter II that it replaces. SPARCprinter leverages the powerful SPARCstation CPU to print up to 12 pages per minute even on print jobs with complex PostScript graphics or multiple fonts. In contrast, many of today's PostScript laser printers commonly produce between two to three pages per minute. High quality is achieved with a resolution of 300 or 400 dots per inch (software selectable). SPARCprinter uses a high-bandwith interface, which gives it these fast printing speeds. SPARCprinter is attached via an SBus card to a SPARCstation 1, 1+ or IPC. The card contains a SPARCprinter port and a Centronics parallel port. NeWSprint Promotes "Open Printing" NeWSprint is another example of Sun's commitment to open products that utilize a user's existing investment and comply with industry standards. This printing solution takes advantage of Sun's innovative NeWS(R) (Network-extensible Window System) technology, system software that offers PostScript compatibility. Although NeWSprint uses Sun's NeWS technology, it can operate in any window environment running on Sun's SPARC systems, such as SunView(TM) and OpenWindows(TM) (which includes Sun's X11/NeWS(TM) Window System). However, there are special benefits from NeWSprint running on OpenWindows, like true WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get), exactly duplicating screen images in the printed document. This "common imaging model" is particularly important to electronic publishing and -- increasingly -- office applications. Ease of use is another advantage of OpenWindows. Through the intuitive OPEN LOOK(TM) graphical user interface and DeskSet(TM) tools, a user can print documents simply by dragging a file icon with the mouse and dropping it onto a print tool icon. NeWSprint comes bundled with 57 brand name, scalable, outline fonts made using Sun's F3(TM) font format. These fonts are "hinted," which maintains high-quality images at smaller point sizes. More than 700 additional fonts are available from leading font suppliers such as Linotype, Monotype, URW, Bigelow & Holmes and Autologic. Markets for the New Products Sun's new printing solution is especially important for Sun's traditional markets, including electronic publishing and computer-aided software engineering. It is also aimed at emerging Sun workgroup applications, including commercial uses such as office automation, financial services and decision support (presentation spreadsheets, database reports). For example, computer-aided design users running popular packages such as AutoCAD and Mentor Graphics' Boardstation now have complete flexibility in their choice of output device with NeWSprint. They will be able to transfer their PostScript files to low-cost dot matrix printers, wax-transfer color printers or even large-bed plotters that have not, until now, been able to print in PostScript. Pricing and Availability SPARCprinter is shipped with NeWSprint, the SBus Printer Card, interface cables, software manuals and one right-to-use license. NeWSprint can connect to printers through standard interfaces such as serial, parallel, SCSI and Ethernet. With NeWSprint comes software that supports SPARCprinter and specific printers from Hewlett-Packard and Seiko. A development kit is available that allows quick, easy support of many other printers. SPARCprinter is priced at $2,695 (U.S. list). NeWSprint software is $495. An SBus Printer Card (if purchased separately) is $695. Volume discounts are available. All products will begin shipment in the fourth quarter of this year and will be sold through all Sun channels, including its new national value-added dealer channel. Sun Microsystems, Inc., headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., is a leading worldwide supplier of network-based distributed computing systems, including professional workstations, servers and UNIX operating system and productivity software. ### NeWSprint, X11/NeWS, OpenWindows, SunOS and DeskSet are trademarks and NeWS is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. SPARCprinter, SPARCstation and SPARCserver are trademarks and SPARC is a registered trademark of SPARC International, based on technology developed by and licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems. OPEN LOOK is a trademark and UNIX is a registered trademark of UNIX Systems Laboratory, Inc. PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc. All other products or services mentioned in this document are identified by the trademarks or service marks of their respective companies or organizations. For reader inquiries, telephone 1-800-821-4643 outside California. Inside California, call 1-800-821-4642. Press Contact: Leiann Lee (415) 336-0597 Carrie Dillon (415) 336-3564