Spectre GCR Manual Manuals - Atari Documentation Archive

v
.. Compatible Printer Driver
Requirements
Okay, here it becomes a little tricky. You will not be able to print
with the Spectre until you get a printer driver that works with your
printer.
Unlike every other computer, Apple didn't make the Mac use
"standard printers". This means you can't plug in just any old printer
and have it work. In particular, the Mac is meant to drive an
ImageWriter (an Apple product), and outputs graphics to the
ImageWriter in the form of individual dots. Most printers are built to
accept standard characters, not individual dots. (Typically, one
character is made up out of a 9 x 8 grid of dots, for 72 dots total).
When other printers get the Mac printer codes, they go nuts. My
Okidata 84, for instance, starts beeping and ejecting pages of paper.
Only a lobotomy can save it at that point.
Now, unless you happen to have an ImageWriter lying around, in
which case, you can plug it right into the Spectre, you've got a
problem. What you need is a "printer driver", which is Mac software
that translates "Mac dots" into the dots your printer can use, and ships
them to your printer.
If I've confused you hopelessly, think of Degas, Tom Hudson's
excellent painting program. Remember when you had to select the
specific printer driver for it to output your pictures to the printer? It's
for the same reason; printer manufacturers use different codes to send
dots to the printer. Apple has a "dot standard" that almost no one but
Apple uses; unless you translate it to something your printer
understands, your printer will just get confused.
Various non-Apple people have written printer driver software,
because Mac owners also have other printers than ImageWriters, and
want to use them. Names and addresses are in the Sources Appendix.
HP DeskJet Drivers
One VERY popular printer these days is the amazing HP DeskJet,
and now the DeskJet Plus. These give you true 300 dpi (e.g., same as
LaserWritcr or SLM804) printing off an inkjet scheme, at insanely low
prices - I can get a DeskJct for around $600, looking at the ads in
Computer Shopper.
21