A question for linux fans re diablo printing

[rwd...@gmail.com]

Hi,

I am wishing to setup a linux system (a Windows 10 setup would also be of interest) to enable direct printing from my cp/m apps, configured for Diablo Daisy Wheel printer. The apps may be on real z80 or on cp/m emulators. I have most of the setup resolved except for live conversion of diablo to pcl or ps.

I can do it indirectly using Wayne Warthen's diab2ps converter operating on captured files(tested under Windows *** but expect it would be ok under Linux).

I am aware of real Unix having the "postdaisy" command which sounds suitable but not been able to find that under Linux.

Also many internet references for advanced printing indicate that the Linux printing subsystem can be configured with conversion/input filters but I have not been able to find a Diablo filter.

Does anyone have any ideas how to resolve this?

*** tested under Win7-32 with MyZ80 running CP/M3 and DOSPRN to capture  LPT1 - DOSPRN is great if the CP/M apps output Epson as it can convert to default Windows printer but doesn't handle the Diablo630 output. Under Linux I might be  running MyZ80 using dosbox-x as it has printer support.

Richard

[Alan Cox]

On Sat, 24 Apr 2021 at 21:12, rwd...@gmail.com <rwd...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

I am wishing to setup a linux system (a Windows 10 setup would also be of interest) to enable direct printing from my cp/m apps, configured for Diablo Daisy Wheel printer. The apps may be on real z80 or on cp/m emulators. I have most of the setup resolved except for live conversion of diablo to pcl or ps.

Can your emulator be made to run diab2ps ?  Also DOSBOX-X already emulates printers like the MX-80 which generally were supported under CP/M.  If you can build diab2ps under Linux then something like

[parallel]

parallel1=file dev:lpt1 timeout=1000 cp:437 openwith:/usr/local/bin/diab2ps

sounds like it would do the trick ?

I can do it indirectly using Wayne Warthen's diab2ps converter operating on captured files(tested under Windows *** but expect it would be ok under Linux).

I am aware of real Unix having the "postdaisy" command which sounds suitable but not been able to find that under Linux.

Also many internet references for advanced printing indicate that the Linux printing subsystem can be configured with conversion/input filters but I have not been able to find a Diablo filter.

If diab2ps works you've got one. More of a problem would be how you work out you need to run diab2ps and passing the right information from the emulatot through the printer chain.

Alan

[Douglas Miller]

I created a JAVA implementation of a Diablo 630, which should run on any OS with a JRE. Although, confession, I did not implement all the fancy "word processing" commands. I implemented enough for Magic Wand, which mostly just uses micro-spacing to do everything. I'll have to check if I did the serial port version of it. I use it with my simulators and CP/NET servers (also in JAVA). Unfortunately, JAVA is not great at handling serial ports, and so it requires a third-party package "Jserial".

[Douglas Miller]

Oh, and the output of my Dialo 630 emulation is in PostScript.

[Richard Deane]

Thank you Alan, I shall try those ideas.

I hadn't realised that dosbox-x could emulate an epson printer, could be useful.

I need the Diablo support  as some apps are not easily configured to other printers, documentation disappearing over the years - e.g.  Magic Wand word processor. Eventually I may have to commit the time to  patch for an Epson. Your definition for the printing is really helpful. However which file does the [parallel] section go in? I am still learning Linux/Unix after years of being Windows oriented.

Cheers

Richard

[Douglas Miller]

I do have copies of the Magic Wand printer config overlay module. There are some examples here: https://github.com/durgadas311/MmsCpm3/tree/master/3p/magicwand/src and I can help interpret as needed. I think the biggest problem modernizing is that you certainly won't be able to adapter these old programs to use PostScript output to printers, they just don't have a enough space for the code and data. Even HPGL may be too big. But, you can pick a different legacy printer.

Basically, you assemble the printer module, and use DDT to overlay the HEX file on PRINT.COM. Same procedure as for the terminal config module.