Today, dot matrix printers are available from many sources at very reasonable prices. Many TS1000/1500 users are still using the TS2040 as their only printer. Now may be the time to upgrade. Let’s consider some of the possibilities.
First, there is a product now available for those who already have a dot matrix printer, in particular the Gorilla Banana or Seikosha 100. There is now a simple chip plug-in available that can give a considerably better looking printout on these printers by giving characters such as ““y” and “g” true descenders. For those who love their printers and are willing to spend $14.95 to upgrade them, contact RMG Enterprises, 1419 1/2 7th Street, Oregon City, OR 97045.
Of course, those who fit the bill of the paragraph above must have a “printer interface” which allows them to use a full size printer. This is the first requirement to adding a printer. Because the TS1000/ZXx81 and family use non-standard codes to represent characters, interfaces generally cost more than on the TS2068 in order to translate these codes into something the printer understands.
Interfaces that have been available for some time include the Aerco Centronics and Aerco RS-232C Serial (at $99 each) and the Byte-Back Centronics ($89.95) and RS-232 Serial ($69.95). Generally, printers with centronics parallel interfaces are less expensive and so would dictate choosing this type interface. The above interfaces are available from their manufacturers as well as RMG Enterprises, Sunset Electronics, and other TS dealers.
Another of the original TS interface manufacturers was Memotech which manufactured both types of interfaces as well. Word from several sources is that Memotech products are once again available from Oxford Data. These were excellent interfaces and well worth considering.
Do you have a TS2068 and printer interface? GOOD NEWS! You can now use that 2068 printer interface on your TS1000/2X81 as well! What’s the catch? Only that you will have to buy a software utility called the “Universal Printer Driver” to use them. It is available from Fred Nachbaur ($16.95) or E. Arthur Brown. Even 1f you don’t yet have a printer interface for your 2068, this might just be what will cause you to take the plunge–one interface that can work with both computers. The only exception are those interfaces which plug into the cartridge port of the TS2068, since the TS1000 family has no such port. The UPD software supports COPY, LPRINT, and LLIST and allows the 512 byte program to be relocated anywhere in memory to make it compatible with most software.
Hopefully, this article will encourage more users to move up to the advantages of a full-size printer using standard bond paper.
- Fred Nachbaur, C-12, Mtn. Station Group Box, Nelson, BC VIL 2J3 Canada.
- Oxford Data, 99 Cabot Street, Needham, MA 02194.
- Aerco, Box 18093, Austin, TX 78760.
- Sunset Electronics, 2254 Taraval street, San Francisco, CA 94116.
- E. Arthur Brown Co., 3404 Pawnee DI., Alexandria, MN 56308.
- Byte-Back Co., Rt. 3, Box 147 Brodie Rd., Leeville, SC 29070.