Using HP LaserJet printers to replace lineprinters

[Helge Blischke]

peter wrote:

>> Make sure you are using the texttops filter and not texttopaps (which
>> is a Red Hat replacement filter that does not implement all of the
>> standard text options...)
>>
>> On Nov 4, 2009, at 7:10 AM, peter wrote:
>>
>> > Currently using RHEL 5 and Tally line printers
>> >
>> > We want to retire the Tally and make use of the HP LaserJet printers
>> > that we have
>> >
>> > Our version of CUPS is 1.2.4  - upgrading is not really an option
>> >
>> > Now if I choose the HP drivers for the replacement printers I find I
>> > cannot trigger A3 into Landscape mode [ orientation-requested=4 ]
>> > and for A4 in all modes I get the lines wrapped.
>> > using -o nowrap has no effect
>> >
>> > I have chosen in lpoptions as follows
>> >>> lpoptions -p mismfp
>> > job-sheets=none,none
>> > printer-info='MIS HP MFP'
>> > printer-is-accepting-jobs=1
>> > printer-is-shared=1
>> > printer-make-and-model='HP LaserJet 5Si Mopier Postscript
>> > (recommended)'
>> > printer-state=3
>> > printer-state-change-time=1257345805
>> > printer-state-reasons=none
>> > printer-type=12500
>> > page-right=30
>> > page-bottom=100
>> > page-top=300
>> > cpi=17
>> > page-left=30
>> > orientation-requested=4
>> > lpi=8
>> >
>> > What I want to achive is landscape mode with A4, full width printing
>> > (about 132 columns ) so that I can retire the Tally
>> > [ Full width on A3 would be acceptable ]
>> >
>> > Any help would be appreciated
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > cups mailing list
>> > cups at easysw.com
>> > http://lists.easysw.com/mailman/listinfo/cups
>>
>> ___________________________________________________
>> Michael Sweet, Senior Printing System Engineer
>>
>>
>>
> Michael,
> I think I am using the textonly filter
> 
> I have this line in my PPD
> *cupsFilter:    "text/plain 0 textonly"
> 
> What I am finding now is that I can use the laserjet.ppd or the
> hp_color_LaserJet_5550.ppd with no apparent difference, BUT even if I
> specify landscape ie orientation-requested =4  I get the lines wrapping on
> to the next line at approx column 102
> I have set the pages size as A3 and the cpi=17 so I should be able to get
> it all in.  If I use nowrap it does not appear to have any effect.
> 
> I have created a file with a set of numbers and '.'  to
> print :
> I get no wrapping for lines like
> 
0........40........50........60........70........80........90........100.......110.......120.......130
> Thats to 132 characters and I can even replace some of the '.' with spaces
> and it is still OK BUT is I send a line of text, with spaces, or '.'
> something like this
> [ Mon Nov  9 11:27:11 GMT 2009 ] File: ty0928871127031.dat[1832]
> [ Owner:robtest Form:C DKSOPR:145010092 PRINTER:JETUKMIS-CCN:
> 
> I get a wrap at
> PRINTER:
> ie about col 103
> 
> I have checked the ASCII characters
> 
> So what am I missing here ?
> 
> Thanks for all help

If your text-only jobs use CR, LF, FF, and TAB as the only control 
characters, I could send you a set of PostScript routines that emulate a 
"dumb" ASCII line printer by PostScript. 
If you tell me the page dimensions you use I could even give you a simple 
Perl script acting as a "textonly" filter.

Drop me an e-mail if this is an option for you.
Helge