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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!cca!ima!inmet!alpert
From: alpert@inmet.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: Orphaned Response - (nf)
Message-ID: <238@inmet.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 29-Jul-83 18:47:56 EDT
Article-I.D.: inmet.238
Posted: Fri Jul 29 18:47:56 1983
Date-Received: Mon, 1-Aug-83 06:06:58 EDT
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#R:pyuxll:-37400:inmet:5800010:177600:2035
inmet!alpert    Jul 28 12:21:00 1983

I use an Epson MX-80 with a CARDCO CARD/? interface. The Interface
sells for approx. $80 and performs all necessary conversion between
PETSCII and ASCII.  

For most work this is a satisfactory arrangement. Of course, the
Epson's graphics character set does not match the C64's. The
interface does translate cursor commands, color commands, etc.
to a readable form for listing. For example, the cursor up
character lists as "{CU}", clear as "{CL}", etc.

The only problem I have run across is that certain graphics
characters are printer control codes, and occasionally during a
program listing the printer will go into condensed mode or
go to top-of-form.  This happens rarely, and generally can
be avoided by coding the offending characters as CHR$(x)
rather than explicitly typing them inside quotes.

The CARDCO interface is inexpensive, well made, works well
(has several modes software controllable), and carries a
lifetime warranty. I connects to the serial bus and connects
to any standard parallel (Centronics-compatible) printer.

One thing that makes the CARDCO user-friendly is that not all
printers supply power at the parallel port.  All other
interfaces I have seen require either a separate power supply
or surgery to the printer in this situation.  The CARDCO
simply draws its power from the cassette port on the computer
if unavailable at the printer (this is the case with the EPSON).

You may want to check out the STAR-micronics series of printers,
they provide EPSON-like functionality at a somewhat lower
price (their Gemini-10 and 10X series seem to be the most popular).
The printer Commodore sells for the C64 sucks. If you have a
really restricted budget, the new Gorilla Banana from Leading Edge
Products seema a good alternative.  It seems to be a faster
(50 cps vs. 30 cps) version of the same printer Commodore sells.
I believe it costs about $250 plus another $30 for a Commodore
adapter cable.

Hope this info has been of some help.

			Bob Alpert
			Intermetrics, Inc.
			decvax!cca!ima!inmet!alpert