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21-Feb-88 17:39:28-MST,47947;000000000000
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Date: Mon, 25 Jan 88 09:01:57 PST
From: digiorgi@VLSI.JPL.NASA.GOV
Message-Id: <880125090157.8a9@VLSI.JPL.NASA.GOV>
Subject: LaserWriter Gateway
To: info-mac@sumex-aim.stanford.edu
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GatePost: An RS-232 to LaserWriter Gateway for PostScript.
GatePost is a Macintosh standalone program that listens to a serial
line (modem port), channelling all data to a "chosen" LaserWriter through
the use of Apple's Printer Access Protocol (PAP). This obviates manual
switching of the LaserWriter between Appletalk and RS-232 clients.
The program can emulate a LaserWriter to the extent that is used by
unix programs (eg lpr, lpd, ditroff etcI). Output of said programs
is assumed to be in PostScript form.
What GatePost cannot do is provide Adobe's monitor session that is
available through a direct RS-232 LaserWriter connection.
Errors are fed back through the RS-232 line, with a Macintosh relative
time-stamp prepended. Apart from that, the errors are the same one
would expect from a LaserWriter.
What you have to provide GatePost:
* A dedicated Mac.
* An Appletalk connection to the Mac.
* An Appletalk connection to one or more LaserWriters.
* An RS-232 connection (host) supplying PostScript text.
* The host must support the XOn/XOff protocol.
* The host must be able to detect whether GatePost is alive. One good
way is to monitor the DCD/DTR line. The author recognises that this
is a problem on the old (64k ROM) Macs.
What GatePost can provide for you:
* Virtual switching without wreaking havoc on Appletalk.
* Through the chooser DA, access to any LaserWriter connected to Appletalk.
* A truce to religious wars (unix vs Mac/Appletalk).
* A configurable RS-232 interface.
* Full PostScript error reporting.
* Support for any host, not just unix.
* PostScript streams with or without job-boundaries. Typically, unix
PostScript print jobs have ^D's at each extreme. This is not necessary
though, as a timeout mechanism will automatically release the LaserWriter
connection. This also means that one cannot have an "interactive"
session from the RS-232 host.
* Fair arbitration of the LaserWriter if ^D's are present in the PostScript
stream. GatePost will release the LaserWriter between print jobs,
and has to poll said device on an equal footing with other Appletalk
clients.
Usage:
* "Choose" the required LaserWriter before activating GatePost.
* The first thing GatePost does is hunt for the chosen LaserWriter.
If it cannot be opened within a certain time (which may occur if the
printer busy), then it will continue no further.
* The user is next able to configure the RS-232 port. This is achieved
through the "config" menu.
* Starting, stopping and quitting is controlled through the "file"
menu. Once active, a "stop" or "quit" request is delayed until PostScript
data is exhausted.
* Certain RS-232 errors are treated as non-fatal. The port is closed
to enable a re-configuration. LaserWriter errors are considered fatal.
These are distinct from PostScript errors.
Notes:
* GatePost (version 1.6) has not been thoroughly tested on all Macs,
nor configurations. It can be used on a 512k Mac (64k ROM), but the
9600 baud option is disabled - it cannot keep up. It behaves itself
if initially configured correctly on said Mac(hine), but has been observed
to go gaa-gaa in abnormal circumstances. The author is still investigating
the cause of this.
* It has been used (and abused) on a Mac+ and a 512kE with no ill effect.
* The ideal Mac to run GatePost on would be a 128k, as they would be
dirt cheap, thus cost effective.
The author would like to thankI
* Alan B Oppenheimer (PSDump - Apple Computer), and Bob Denny (PAP
driver in Lightspeed C, MacTutor Sept '86 - Alisa Systems) for clues
in the writing of this program.
* THINK Technologies for Lightspeed Pascal.
The author would appreciate any feedback and can be reached at (the
moment )I
rcopm@yabbie.rmit.oz ACSnet, CSNET
I!seismo!munnari!yabbie.rmit.oz!rcopm UUCP
rcopm%yabbie.rmit.oz@seismo ARPA
rcopm%yabbie.rmit.oz@CSNET-RELAY BITNET
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, SMAIL
Department of Communication & Electronic Engineering,
GPO Box 2476V,
Melbourne 3001.
+61 3 660 2619 PHONE
Feel free to distribute GatePost.
Do not sell GatePost.
Do not modify GatePost.
This document should accompany all copies of GatePost.
Enjoy,
PAUL N MENON
[ Uploaded to Info-Mac by Godfrey DiGiorgi, January 24, 1988 ]