Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!rutgers!clyde!cuae2!codas!burl!geoff From: geoff@burl.ATT.COM (geoff) Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple Subject: Re: Enhancing an old //e Message-ID: <1709@burl.ATT.COM> Date: Tue, 9-Dec-86 09:28:30 EST Article-I.D.: burl.1709 Posted: Tue Dec 9 09:28:30 1986 Date-Received: Sun, 14-Dec-86 20:07:04 EST References: <8612082146.AA24953@decwrl.dec.com> Reply-To: geoff@burl.UUCP (geoff) Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Whippany NJ Lines: 41 In article <8612082146.AA24953@decwrl.dec.com> binder@fizbin.DEC.COM (NOW willya gimme some fightin' room?) writes: >Unless you need letter-quality printing, buy a good dot-matrix printer with a >parallel interface. They're faster and less expensive, and most of them have >enhanced printing modes to produce excellent correspondence-quality output. >Parallel cards are also less expensive than serial cards, and they don't >require any protocol hassles with whatever software you use. If you do need >letter quality, you can still buy a parallel printer - there are several >available now. > I have had an Epson RX+ (100 cps dot matrix) for a while now. I decided I needed a letter quality printer. Our local discount department store ("Brendles") was selling Epson DX-10 Daisy wheel printers for $200. It is very slow (10 cps) but it produces some very pretty text. I added a cut- sheet feeder for $60, so if I need several copies of something I can just start it printing and go out for the evening. When I get back, I have a sheaf of typed pages. I wouldn't give up my dot matrix printer; it is much better for drafts and such (the speed!), but the Daisy wheel is great for correspondence (it still prints at over 100 words/minute, so it beats the hell out of typing). Both printers use a parallel interface, so I just plug the cable into whichever printer I want to use. A switch would be nice, but they all seem to run about $80, which is more than I want to spend when I can plug cables! >For serial communications, you probably don't need both a serial card and a >modem - there are several good modems that plug right into the Apple. With a >plug-in modem, you pay less than for a two-part system, and you don't have to >deal with protocol between the two components. I don't have a modem, so I >can't recommend any over another. (MODEM USERS, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.) Preferred Computing sells an internal 1200 baud modem for $199. I have been quite satisfied with other stuff I have bought from them, but I don't know about this product. >Cheers, >Dick Binder (The Stainless Steel Rat) -- geoff sherwood ...![ ihnp4 ulysses cbosgd mgnetp ]!burl!geoff ...![ ihnp4 cbosgd akgua masscomp ]!clyde!geoff