Title: Epson, Epson, Read All About It!
Authors: Julie Knott & Dave Prochnow
Price: $14.95
I.D. ISBN 0-201-11640-5
Publisher: Addison-Wesley Publishing Co. Inc.
Pages: 275 Date: 1985
The authors have developed a guide for Epson and Epson work-alike (compatable) dot matrix printers that provides the user with more information on printer applications than most manuals give. Where printer manuals often devote a part page on each printer code and sometimes a program to explain its operation, these authors provide uses and application programs.
This book explains such mundain things as the proper way to load in the paper, discusses interfaces, explains what happens on printer initialization, how to program for different computers, and many other pertinent subjects. Within each chapter a table of new function codes used in that chapter is presented. This table shows the CHR$ codes and the ASCII codes corresponding to each action. LPRINT and CHR$ codes are used in all examples
The book is divides into 4 parts and 11 chapters as follows:
Chapter 1: Printing with dots
Part 1: Selecting printers and connecting to computers
Viewing the printer field
Joining of computer and printer
Part 2: Epson printer capabilities
Character pitch
Character sets
Downloadable & custom characters
Part 3: Epson dot graphics
Plot & graphics
Printhead placement
Programmable Graphics
Part 4: Patching software and hardware to Epson
Installing software
Joining hardware
Appendicies: Function codes
ASCII codes
Dip switch summary
Character style chart
Epson work-alike conversion chart
Some interesting programs given include a printer test, typewriter(print as you type), print out the International character sets, print double height characters, design print fonts, design custom graphics, setting margins, horizontal and verticle tabs, graphic line designs, circles, pie chart, and a program (GMAKER) to create graphics in any of seven graphic modes. There are various short demonstration programs for specific control codes. Progragms are in MBASIC and duplicated in Applesoft BASIC but are easy to convert to Sinclair BASIC. Screen dumps are not covered.
One subject not not discussed but important to some computers is how to cancel an unwanted line feed caused by the computer cable connection and software. The secret is to disconnect the printer pin 14 cable which eliminates the AFXT low signal. In some cases the dip switch does not seem to control the line feed.
About 70 pages are devoted to various appendicies. An interesting table covers the function codes used by Epson and compares codes for C. Itoh 8510BP and 8510SCP, Olivetti PR2300, and Star Micronics Gemini 10X printers. Character shapes used by these printers plus Epson FX, LQ, RX, and MX models are given.
While Part 4 would be the least useful part of the book, it does give some interesting details on specific products not useful to TS users. The reader can compare word processors available to TS users with a few used with other computers. Ours seem to be very comparable to the big name programs. About 70 pages are devoted to this subject.
Soft back and ample margins make this book easy to use at the computer. This is the only reference book I have seen devoted to Epson and work alike printers.