[comp.sys.mac.misc] Unix/Troff hacks to handle BDT sheetfeeders on Laserwriter 2NT

dmk@nucs.cs.nu.oz (David Koch) (02/21/91)

We have a Laserwriter 2NT on an Localtalk network, gateway'd to Ethernet
(via a Webster Multigate) for the benefit of various UNIX machines.
Mac's on Localtalk and hosts on Ethernet can print to the Laserwriter.
So far so good.

Today, we have added a BDT LF890 triple bin feeder (plus enevelopes!) to
the Laserwriter 2NT. The sheetfeeder manufacturer has provided the
appropriate Mac software drivers, but the UNIX side of things is unaddressed.
Explicit page feed commands are now required, and extra code is loaded down
via appletalk to the printer to enable it to talk via its RS232 serial
port to the sheetfeeder controller. We have quickly tried to analyse
the different postscript output between print jobs that include the
pagefeed commands and output that does not include them.
We then attempted to graft the sheetfeeder specific setup code and then
the explicit page feed commands into a troff'd file whose output had
been ditroff to postscript massaged by dlw - this did not work and
obviously requires a great deal more thought and effort. The output
from dlw is rather contorted, so an initial lack of success is understandable.

Has anyone else been done this path? Will we be re-inventing a paperweight?
Solutions, hints or suggestion are all welcome.

David Koch, Technical Manager
Department of Computer Science, University of Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
Ph: +61 49 216080/216034, Fax: +61 49 601712, AARnet: dmk@nucs.newcastle.edu.au


David Koch, Professional Officer
Department of Computer Science, University of Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia.
Ph: (049) 216080/216034  Fax: (049) 601712, AARnet: dmk@nucs.newcastle.edu.au