[P1] Printer questions

[George Slusher]

>I have an HP laser printer I want to use with my Indigo iBook. I have an
>Entrega USB to Serial adapter but to use LaserWriter 8 you need to use apple
>talk which only seems to work from the Ethernet port soooo now what? Any
>ideas?

Are you sure that LaserWriter 8 requires AppleTalk? I ask because Apple 
has made laser printers that were NOT AppleTalk printers (e.g., the 
Personal LaserWriter 300). It's possible that it is the printer that 
requires AppleTalk (or really LocalTalk; AppleTalk is a kind of LocalTalk 
protocol). Check the manual and HP's website (while you're there, check 
for drivers for the printer). If the printer does require AppleTalk, you 
can get an Ethernet-AppleTalk bridge that will let you do what you need 
to. It will not interfere with an Ethernet network, file sharing, cable 
modems, etc. Asante makes one that I have used with great success with an 
Apple LaserWriter 4/600 PS, which does require AppleTalk. It's a 
no-brainer to set up, too--you just follow the printed sheet that comes 
with the converter/bridge. The one I have came with two Ethernet 
cables--one was for connecting directly to the Ethernet port of a Mac, 
the other for connecting to an Ethernet hub. 

You might also try the laser printer driver from Adobe. It's free and has 
some features that LaserWriter 8 does not. In any case, USB-to-serial 
adapters may not work at all with a particular printer.



George Slusher/Eugene, OR
gslusher at rio.com