1237a5434ea5
tech



Hello Phil - 

PM> Yep, some of those old dot matrix printers produced pretty
PM> good copy, especially the 24 PIN. Being a minimalist, I
PM> consider mine "good enough," considering that the
PM> print-outs probably just end up getting tossed after awhile. 

24 pin dot matrix did get to be almost indistinguishable from
laser printouts at one point. I think the noise was a factor in
their demise. They can be annoying when doing a long print job. 

PM> And then, these machines hold up fairly well, with very
PM> little upkeep, a major concern here. 

Mixed feelings on this. I've had some strange failures of
plastic parts on dot matrix printers. :-\ 

PM> Trouble is the tractor type paper is getting more and more
PM> expensive as less and less people use it. Which is why I'm
PM> now becoming interested in the lasers, which I understand
PM> uses standard xerox type paper. I hesitate making the
PM> switch because now that I'm set up with dot matrix repair
PM> manuals, and have more or less have become familiar with
PM> the dot matrix mechanisms, 

There were quite a few of the small carriage dot matrix with
_traction_feed_ being included as a 'package deal' with home
computers not many years ago and there are probably quite a few
collecting dust in someone's closet right now available for the
'asking'. 

PM> I just wonder what hassles the lasers have in store. Or
PM> maybe just I'm avoiding a new learning curve? 

First hassle is to have the proper drivers for them. If you
also use legacy hardware and software the laser printer may be
newer than your computer system. 

Second hassle for most is the cost of the toner cartridges and
third (for me) getting used to the idea that sweaty fingers
will smudge the printouts. 

Inexpensive bubblejets are probably more common in homes and
can be purchased new for just a little more than the cartridge
will cost when the first one is used up. 

And that's where this thread began ... ;-) 

>
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>      o/      Charles_Angelich  - DOS Ghost       \o       ,
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