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Software Vault: The Gold Collection
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Software Vault - The Gold Collection (American Databankers) (1993).ISO
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1993-06-03
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116 lines
NWA-MCUG 6/93 NewsLetter Article
Rt 4 Box 376 Springdale, AR 72762-9307
PrintCache V 3.1 from LaserTools Corporation
A Review by Bill Shook, NWA-MCUG
I've been using LaserTools PrintCache for years now -- don't remember my first
version, probably 1.?. In June, 1992 I reviewed V 3.0 and was quite impressed
with it, particularly the speed.
The following is taken directly from the README file:
"CHANGES IN RELEASE 3.1 OF PRINTCACHE"
"Here are the main features that have been added since version 3.0 of
PrintCache was released:
- Real-time, audible warnings for printer errors
- Voice messages and flashing icons announce printer errors in Windows
3.1 (Voice can be either male or female)
- Windows icon can "float" to top to warn of printer errors, or to
show when there's data in the buffer
- Windows Help system, with context-sensitive help for LaserJet 4
errors
- Support for bidirectional I/O on LaserJet 4 provides detailed
printer status: printer LCD display, current job name, and last
page printed
- New "Turbo Interrupt" driver for highest performance on LaserJet 4
and many other printers with high-speed I/O"
Also, PrintCache 3.1 offers "drag and drop" in Windows 3.1. Click and drag
the file you want to print onto the PrintCache icon.
Other features include: Network compatible, exclusive support for the HP
LaserJet 4, uses optimization to print full page graphics with only 512K
printer memory (with a few exceptions) and if you should ever decide you don't
want to continue using PrintCache, which is quite unlikely, it has a feature to
uninstall it from Windows. It can be uninstalled automatically with the INSTALL
/U command or the procedure is provided to remove it manually, if you want to
do it the hard way. Incidentally, the manual also details specific actions taken
by the install program when loading it to Windows; i.e., which files went where,
which files were changed, etc.
In case you didn't guess, practically all features are optional, both during
install and later through the reinstall feature; such as, audible warnings,
voice messages in Windows, optimization, pop-up menu, buffer type and
size (EMS or extended memory or disk), LPT port, print manager, icon floating,
etc.
PrintCache replaces Windows Print Manager for MUCH faster printing;
LaserTools calls it SUPERSONIC printing. They offer the following testimonials:
"Replace the Windows Print Manager with PrintCache... the best print spooler on
the market." -- Edward Mendelson, PC Magazine
"PrintCache speeds up printing by as much as ten times. Don't run your printer
without it." -- PC Computing, MVP Finalist 1992
"I can't do without PrintCache!" -- Jim Seymour's PC Producitvity Bible
"Best of 1990 Award" -- PC Magazine 1990
"PrintCache does the job right! You'll wonder how you did without it!" -- PC
Computing 1990
"Still the best print spooler...does more to reduce wait than any other
software." -- PC Magazine 1990
"If you want the most performance from your HP printer, buy PrintCache!" -- PC
Resource 1990
"So fast and trouble-free you'll forget it's loaded...no other spooler even
approaches it." -- PC Magazine 1990
"You'll be flabbergasted at how quickly your PC is freed up...a godsend!" -- PC
World 1989
"PrintCache pays for itself several times over the moment you buy it!" --
InfoWorld 1989
"Fast, seamless, compact...speeds up output significantly..." -- PC Publishing
1989
"We recommend PrintCache...It is outstanding!" -- Computer Shopper 1988
"I laughed. I cried. I got my keyboard back so fast...!" -- "Okay, we made this one
up," says LaserTools.
System Requirements: IBM PC, AT, PS/2, and compatibles with DOS 2.1 or higher,
7-20K RAM and supports all direct-connected and shared printers or plotters.
Disk and Memory Requirements: PrintCache now needs approximately 1.2
Megabytes of disk space for its files. When loaded with the pop-up menu and
other defaults, PrintCache will use about 17k of DOS memory and about 11k
without the pop-up menu. If installed for a LaserJet 4, the memory usage will
be about 18k and 13k respectively. Using a RAM buffer rather than a disk
buffer will reduce this figure by 3k. If you use a disk buffer, PrintCache will
automatically set its block size to twice the size of your disk drive's
allocation units. This provides optimal performance. For a large hard drive,
this could increase memory usage by 4k to 12k. If you would like to reduce the
memory PrintCache uses, you can change the block size under Advanced Settings
in the Install program. (See Appendix A in the PrintCache manual.)
Price??? Yes, there is a price, but it's so low that it's almost negligible. It
lists for $99.95, but user group members can get it with $29.95 + $5.00 S&H,
and the special user group coupon available at the meeting (if you're unable to
attend the meeting, let me know and I'll send you one). Can you believe that?
70% off!!! No one can afford to be without it!
LaserTools Corporation
1250 45th Street, Suite 100
Emeryville, CA 94608 U.S.A.
800-767-8004 Sales
800-767-8005 Technical Support
510-420-1150 FAX