From: Alan on
On Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:34:44 -0700 (PDT), voxguy <mikes425(a)gmail.com>
wrote:

>tagging my own post here with an 'addendum.' Looks like the HP1200
>would be a candidate. Just wondering if anyone can tell me how easy
>it
>would be to interface to a G3 Mac by way of the Parellel port on this
>(or any ) PS printer. Am I asking for trouble trying to get my system
>to
>'read' it -- I seem to remember being able to go Parallel to an old
>ADB printer port on this computer once but can't remember if it was
>glitchy...
>
>I only ask since my G3 does not have USB ports (just a PCI slot
>expansion card with a couple) so I'm not sure about whether i can get
>connectivity
>via USB or if the parallel port would be a better approach. The
>1200's come with parallel and USB.

At the risk of being repetitious, I'd say use an Ethernet and
Postscript capable printer. That would be compatible with OSX and
Windows as well, should you need that later.

It's possible to hack other ports and emulations -- I used to run a
PCL LaserJet II via a PowerPrint parallel/Apple cable to a Quadra --
but this is slower and more hassle (and was quite expensive, though
probably cheaper now).

With a printer server, like the HP Jetdirect 175x, you can connect a
parallel printer to Ethernet or AppleTalk. Many "office" printers can
take an internal JetDirect card, providing a variety of ports.
<http://www.printertechs.com/jetdirect/jetdirect-gallery.php>
You can find these used for $10-20.

I don't know how you'd go with USB. Certainly USB is supported in OS9,
and I think in 8.6, if you can find a compatible PCI USB card.

Check out the G-List <http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list> if you
haven't already. They also have a swap list:
<http://groups.google.com/group/lemswap>

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