VISTA Advanced printing topics
Contents
Advanced Printing Topics
Authored mainly by Sam Habiel, the printer "sensei".
How do computers communicate with printers, software-wise?
This is a pretty difficult topic. Cheaper printers only accept binary data that is hardcoded by the computers; typically these printers are only supported on Windows, and thus are named "Winprinters". Higher end printers have a processor on them that can typically interpret PCL5, PCL6, and PS; and possibly PDF. These printers are easily supported in Linux.
VISTA and what it really sends
VISTA sends PCL5 to printers. You need to make sure that your printer supports PCL5. All HP Printers support PCL5, no matter how cheap; other manufacturers only support it on their higher end printers. If you need to look it up, go to the manufacturer's website and look at the technical specs sheet. The section is typically called "supported emulations"; or "supported languages". What VISTA sends is determined by the sub-type defined for the device.
Testing Printers
To test printers in VISTA after setting it up, there are a few steps you have a to go through.
Invoke via %ZIS first.
D ^%ZIS DEVICE: HOME//MY PRINTER U IO W "TEST",!,"TEST",! D ^%ZISC
See the output. If it's okay, you are ready to move to the next step. If you see the "staircase" effect, you need to go back and set-up the terminal type correctly here.
The next menu option to try is Send Test Pattern to Terminal [XUTTEST]. If that works, then you are good to go.
