[Info-vax] DCPS V2.7 and Brother printers

[Jim]

On Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 1:18:26 PM UTC-4, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 3/26/2019 9:10 AM, John E. Malmberg wrote:
> > On 3/25/2019 8:23 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
> >>
> >> Ok, I don't get out much, so this capability might already exist.
> >>
> >> When I want to print, on my Brother printer, a file at 12 CPI instead
> >> of the default 10 CPI, I edit the file and place a sequence of
> >> characters at the front to cause the printer to switch to 12 CPI, for
> >> that job.
> >>
> >> Sure would be nice to:
> >>
> >> $ PRINT /QUEUE=LASER /CPI=12
> > This has been available since at least VAX/VMS 4.x.
> >
> > Note: Always change the default password for your printer, especially if
> > it is a PostScript printer.  Most of the PostScript printers I have seen
> > have a default password.
> >
> > I can not remember if I put the scripts for this on a freeware or Decus
> > submission.
> >
> > Use a text editor or program to create a bunch of sample pages for
> > testing your printer.
> >
> > Have 2 or 3 lines horizontal and vertical to show the print margins and
> > the tab stops.
> >
> > 0000000000.....
> > 0000000001.....
> > 1234567890.....
> > 004
> > 005<tab>T1<tab>T2...
> > 006
> > ...
> >
> >
> > Help init/queue/library
> > Help define/form/setup
> > help print/form
> >
> > Use one library for each unique printer model.  ANSI implementation is
> > slightly different between most Digital branded printers, so you need
> > different escape codes to set font size, margins, and tab stops for each.
> >
> > As I do not have my notes handy, you will need to do some experimentation.
> >
> > When you set the CPS for an ANSI printer, the horizontal tab stops are
> > usually not automatically set correctly at what is now the 8 characters.
> >
> > You may need to use different command sequences for each ANSI printer to
> > get the actual expected CPS.
> >
> > You will probably need to use different commands for each ANSI printer
> > to get the actual expected tab stops.
> >
> > So far, PCL has been the same for all printers found.
> >
> > By having a separate library for each printer model you can use common
> > form names for all printers.
> >
> > dcps_ansi_printlib.tlb
> > dcps_pcl_printlib.tlb
> > la100_printlib.tlb
> > ln03_printlib.tlb
> > pcl_printlib.tlb
> >
> > Always include a reset module to set the defaults the printer at the
> > beginning of the job.
> >
> > If the printer is shared with MIcrosoft Windows, this module will
> > probably need to set the power on defaults for the printer as printer
> > drivers on Microsoft tend to change the printer power up defaults with
> > every print job even though the actual documents then send down their
> > own printer commands to override them.
> >
> > Typically the Microsoft based print driver set the printer on power up
> > to default to having wider print margins on all sides of the paper, and
> > will change the setting for one/sided or two sided printing for the
> > printers that support it.
> >
> > Regards,
> > -John
> > wb8tyw at qsl.net_work
> 
> Ok John, I'm confused.  (Same old territory for me.)
> 
> The prefix I use to get 12 CPI is:
> 
> <ESC>(s0p12h0T
> 
> I forget where I got that info from.
> 
> Using forms isn't what I'd want, since that means changing the queue 
> form for each print job, usually a page or two.
> 
> I'm going to look into the library stuff later, never used it before.
> 
> And yes, the same printer serves all computers here, including WEENDOZE.
> 
> -- 
> David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
> Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
> DFE Ultralights, Inc.
> 170 Grimplin Road
> Vanderbilt, PA  15486

In addition to what John pointed out, check out HELP DEFINE/FORM/STOCK...
As long as the paper stock associated with the different forms doesn't change then you'll not have to manipulate the queue you're targeting.