Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1a 12/4/83; site rlgvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!seismo!rlgvax!guy From: guy@rlgvax.UUCP (Guy Harris) Newsgroups: net.micro Subject: Re: Bidirectional/Proportional Message-ID: <1654@rlgvax.UUCP> Date: Fri, 3-Feb-84 22:09:33 EST Article-I.D.: rlgvax.1654 Posted: Fri Feb 3 22:09:33 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 9-Feb-84 02:55:38 EST References: <333@hou5g.UUCP> Organization: CCI Office Systems Group, Reston, VA Lines: 15 > Bidirectional printing is NOT a function of software. It must > be handled by HARDWARE. On some printers, however, it is not only a function of hardware (or, actually, firmware; any one of the Diablo-type servo-controlled printers has the hardware capability, but the micro controlling the printer may not have code to do it) but also a function of the software controlling the printer. The letter- quality printers I've worked with of the Diablo-type servo-controlled family (Diablo, NEC Spinwriter, Qume, etc.) could print backwards; however, the host software had to position the head to the leftmost or rightmost position, put the printer in "print forwards" or "print backwards" mode, and send the characters in right-to-left order if printing backwards. Guy Harris {seismo,ihnp4,allegra}!rlgvax!guy