Star Micronics LaserPrinter4 manual Interfacing With Applications Programs

Interfacing With

Applications Programs

If this wem the best of all possible computer worlds, every software applicationwouldrun automaticallyon the StarLaserPrinter4 or anyother printer. The fact is that software applications-word processing,spread- sheets,databases,or others-m designedto workwitha specificprinteror a limitedgroupof printem.

Someverypopularsoftwareapplicationswerewrittenbeforelaserprinters became common,and require a dot-matrixor daisy-wheelprinter. Some softwareis linkedto a particularbrandof computerand printer.And some can be used on only one brandof laserprinter.

As you have read, someof the commandsneededfor printingare resident in the StarLaserPrinter4.Somecan beprogrammedfromthecontrolpanel. And somemust be issuedby the computer,from within a program.Some applicationsprogramsallowthe user to specifya printeror printers,either by name or by type. Once the selectionis made, it becomespart of the programffle.As a result,printingusuallyrequiresnothingmorethanissuing a one or two keystrokecommand.

In thischapteryou will learnhowto specifythe StarLaserPrinter4 for four popularapplicationsprogramsfor IBM-compatiblecomputers:Lotus 1-2- 3, WordPerfect,MicrosoftWord,andMicrosoflWindows.The StarLaser- Printer 4 will print graphics as well as words and numbers, emulating HewlettPackardgraphics,all densitiesof the Epson dot matrixprinters.It can also be used withthe two populardesktoppublishingprograms,Aldus PageMaker,andXeroxVentu~ Publisher,whichusestheGEMdesktopen- vironment. Both are compatiblewith the HP LaserJet IIP. For further informationconsultthe ApplicationsManual.

Before you begin printing,be sum your Star LaserPrinter4 is correctly cotilgured foryourcomputerbyhavingeithertheparallelor serialinterface selectedand the correctcabling.Prior to printing,make surethat you have selectedthe sameemulationfromthe frontpanelas theoneyouspecifiedin the application.

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