#: 17922 S12/OS9/68000 (OSK)
    15-Apr-93  19:09:21
Sb: login
Fm: Bob van der Poel 76510,2203
To: all

Any HP Laser Jet experts out there? I just got an Epson Laser printer and am
trying to learn the PCL language...it's never as easy as it seems. I have the
Epson "manual" and a couple of books on the subject. I was trying to set the
page size and got real confused, real fast. The Epson manual just lists the
sizes available for the "ESC & l # A" command--it doesn't bother to list the
values needed for the different sizes. However, I have a book on the PCL
language (The Laserjet Handbook, Bennett & Randall, Brady) and it does list
them. For example, the book clearly states that a parameter of "6" will select
Commercial 10 (envelope) size. Of course, this doesn't work (If all this
worked, then what would we need CIS for...hmmm, is there a conspiracy?). I
grabbed a few programs for lasers off the UNIX forum...and one one of them sets
the printer properly....but it uses a param of "81" for C10 env. This program
has a few other values...but it is not complete. I started just sending test
values out to the printer...but having to constantly turn the sucker off line
and then wade through the "easy to use" panel display gets real old, real fast.
So, either I'm missing the logic of sending a "81" when a "6" is called for (I
fail to see the relationship), or the book I have is lying, or... Anyone happen
to have a table of sizes and params. This is not a big deal in itself...but I
have  the feeling if I can't even set the paper size from the computer, I'm
going to have even more frustrations when it comes to other goodies.

Press  !>