The "problem" is not AppleTalk; this is still fully supported; rather, the problem is more likely Postscript Level 1 which is no longer supported in OSX (and hasn't been since, IIRC, Jaguar) although there are workarounds including, but not limited to, the above hint.

I had to discard my old LW4/600 some years ago due to this issue (although it's still running at a site where they're using OS9 Macs).

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Two things in this world aren't overrated: Macintosh and Lemon Meringue Pie.

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You can setup ghostscript to print to PostScript 1 printers. Look for the hint here, or hints submitted by yours truly. You'll have to update some of the logic for current Mac OS, but the Unix underpinnings are still sound.

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--Jim (me)

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That is not true at all. PostScript Level 1 is still fully supported. I have an ancient HP LaserJet 5MP that predates Level 2, it works perfectly well, and in fact, has official driver support in MacOS X.

This tip is truly horrible, a convoluted and overly complex solution. Serial printers can be set up using standard Unix methods like LPR, you just need a serial port, which is not standard on most modern Macs, but is easily done with a USB>Serial adapter.
My HP 5MP ran for at least a decade on an EtherJet Ethernet-to-Parallel adapter, it plugged into the parallel port and then the printer appeared on my LAN as an Appletalk device, or I could have selected other protocols like LPR. But one day the EtherJet died. I unplugged it and considered the situation. I wondered if I could use an old USB Parallel cable on that port, I tried it, and lo and behold, it worked instantly.

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Not only is postscript supported, but the Laserwriter 4/600 IS postscript level 2.


Sheldon



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Right. I wish I had people around me throwing away perfectly good PostScript laser printers.

BTW, I checked on the web and found USB>Serial adapters starting at $9.95. I don't know about serial cables, but I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron so I figure I could make one for $5. Even if you had to buy one or have one custom-made, it shouldn't cost over $30.

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