[Info-vax] printing from VMS

[Tad Winters]

On 3/1/2021 4:01 AM, Phillip Helbig undress to reply via Info-vax wrote:
> In the old days, I set up TCPIP print queues and could print text and
> PostScript files by just using the VMS PRINT command.  Of course, the
> printer had to be able to interpret PostScript.
>
> But that was a quarter of a century ago.
>
> These days, people print probably mostly PDF.  Presumably most printers
> will print a text file.  What about PDF?  Is that done by the printer or
> is there some sort of driver installed on the printing device?
>
> My wife has a Canon Pixma printer.  Not a laser printer, I guess bubble
> jet or whatever.  However, it's not working at the moment and we'll
> probably buy a new printer if we can't get it fixed cheaply.  It's
> probably worth it to go for a laser printer---more expensive (but
> probably cheap enough by today's standards) but less cost per page, so
> we'll hit break-even in a reasonable time.
>
> It would be nice to print to that from VMS.  What can I expect to work
> if I set up a queue pointing to the IP address?  Text?  PostScript?
> PDF?  Nothing?
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Ideally, such a printer would work well from VMS and various Apple
> deviceds (iPad, MacBook, iPhone).
>
> I also have a black-and-white |d|i|g|i|t|a|l| laser printer from about
> 1990 or so.  I don't know if it is worth it to try to get it set up
> (I've never used it).

I considered a similar issue more than 20 years ago, when I started
doing some VMS work from home, specifically wanting to print PCL output
which customers would print.  At the time, I settle on a Konica-Minolta
color laser, which was suitable for all the printing needs in the
household, though my wife preferred a Lexmark inkjet for photos on
glossy paper.

When I replaced that laser printer 6 to 8 years ago, I bought a
multi-function device, because it was cheaper, and consumed less space
than a scanner and printer separately.  It actually turned out to be
cheaper than a color laser alone.  I did test printing from VMS at the
time, and it worked just fine.  That device is the OKI MC361.  It does
support scanning over the network, in case that is valuable.  It does
have an address book for faster faxing, in case that is valuable.  It
has RJ45 and USB connections, but I've only used the RJ45.  In addition
to the regular bottom paper tray, it has a multipurpose front load tray,
which we often use with the rear exit for thick stock or labels.  The
normal exit stack face down on the top.  The scan/fax/copy function
allows use of the automatic document feeder.  This device does duplex as
well.

About 2 years after I purchased this, a coworker purchased the OKI 362,
which basically added wireless.  He's big on Apple, especially his
iPhone, and he eventually was able to print from it.

So Phillip, if you're going to buy something, and what I've described
are all features you want, take a look at it.  I considered the Brother
brand at the time, but I wanted more for my investment.