Interfacingwith Applicationsprograms - Star Micronics LaserPrinter4 Operation Manual

Interfacing With
Applications Programs
If this wem the best of all possible computer worlds, every software
applicationwouldrun automatically on the StarLaserPrinter4 or anyother
printer. The fact is that software applications-word processing,spread-
sheets,databases,or others-m designedto workwitha specificprinteror
a limitedgroupof printem.
Someverypopularsoftwareapplicationswerewrittenbeforelaserprinters
became common,and require a dot-matrixor daisy-wheelprinter. Some
softwareis linkedto a particularbrandof computerand printer.And some
can be used on only one brandof laserprinter.
As you have read, someof the commandsneededfor printingare resident
in the StarLaserPrinter4.Somecan beprogrammedfromthecontrolpanel.
And somemust be issuedby the computer,from within a program.Some
applicationsprogramsallowthe user to specifya printeror printers,either
by name or by type. Once the selectionis made, it becomespart of the
programffle.Asa result,printingusuallyrequiresnothingmorethanissuing
a one or two keystrokecommand.
In thischapteryou willlearnhowto specifythe StarLaserPrinter4 for four
popularapplicationsprogramsfor IBM-compatible computers:Lotus 1-2-
3, WordPerfect, M icrosoftWord,andMicrosoflWindows.The StarLaser-
Printer 4 will print graphics as well as words and numbers, emulating
HewlettPackardgraphics,all densitiesof the Epson dot matrixprinters.It
can also be used withthe two populardesktoppublishingprograms,Aldus
PageMaker,andXeroxVentu~ Publisher,whichusestheGEMdesktopen-
vironment. Both are compatiblewith the HP LaserJet IIP. For further
informationconsultthe ApplicationsManual.
Before you begin printing,be sum your Star LaserPrinter4 is correctly
cotilgured foryourcomputerbyhavingeithertheparallelor serialinterface
selectedand the correctcabling.Prior to printing,make surethat you have
selectedthe sameemulationfromthe frontpanelas theoneyouspecifiedin
the application.
67