Welcome!
          
               This is Project Printer, 1987, a  task we have amusingly subtitled "The Search for Spec."  Those of you who have
          participated in the printer blockbuster project in previous years will notice small differences between those tests of
          the past and this new undertaking.  Those of you who are new to the project will reach a definite conclusion: there's
          quite a bit of work to do.
          
               For your edification, enjoyment, and to give you something to strangle in times of fruitless endeavor, we've
          prepared this document.  We urge you to read it first, before you start any of the tests.  It will save you quite a bit
          of frustration and no small amount of time.
          
          
          The Tests
          
               You'll be testing a variety of printers, dot matrix, letter quality (a.k.a. "Daisey Wheel") and laser printers.
          The tests we've compiled are meant to extract the ultimate performance comparisons across the varied possibilities by
          highlighting as many compatible features as possible.
          
               You must fill out ALL information on the front page of the script.  It's not an option, and whatever isn't
          available from the manual should be available from the printer manufacturerer or vendor.  By the way, read the printer's
          manual.  That's not a suggestion.
          
               Check the PRBENCH subdirectory on the computer you're using.  You should have the following files:
          If you see more than these, that's fine.  But you should have all of these files.
          
               Start the program by typing PRBENCH at the DOS prompt.  You can do this either from the root directory (which
          contains a BATCH file called PRBENCH.BAT) or from the PRBENCH subdirectory.  The questions will appear either
          sequentially or in menu format.
          
               The first two questions are simple.  You'll need to enter the proper name of the printer you're testing (make sure
          you use the correct model designation as there may well be more than one printer from the same source).  Follow that
          with it's tag number.  You'll be asked if the data you've entered is correct or not.  Respond accordingly.
          
               Now for the tough part.  This section of the program asks for 10 pair of printer control codes that might possibly
          be used to enhance the printing of the printer you're testing.   These codes should be clearly delineated in the
          printer's manual.  (Note:  the list of control codes listed in the back of the IBM ProPrinter manual does not show an
          OVERSTRIKE code, yet the codes for this feature are mentioned within the body of the manual.  That's why it's important
          that you actually read the manual.)  You can enter each control code directly from the keyboard.  If the code you need
          falls below ASCII value 32, hold down the ALT key and type the numbers from the keypad, NOT from the top row of numbers
          at the main keyboard section .  When you release the ALT key, that code will appear.  (E.g.  DC2 is ASCII 18, so hold
          down ALT and sequentially press 1 and 8; then release ALT.)
          
               Don't be alarmed if not all of these printer features apply to your printer.  The ones we've chosen represent the
          optimum number.  If you come across a feature that's not supported (like Italic, for example), press the END key through
          both turn-on and turn-off entry routines.  If you hit the wrong key by mistake, just press DEL.  It deletes the last




            Project Printer '87 - The Search for Spec            1









          entry.  And, of course, you can bypass the entire procedure at the start or at any time by pressing the HOME key.  (IF
          THE PRINTER YOU'RE TESTING IS A POSTSCRIPT PRINTER, DEFINITELY BYPASS THIS SECTION OF THE TEST.)
          
               Remember, Bold printing is, in theory at least, a horizontally mis-aligned overprint of characters while emphasized
          (also called double strike), is a re-strike of one character directly on top of another.
          
               Next you'll be asked to specify the port to which your printer is connected.  In almost all cases it will be either
          LPT1: (for parallel printers) or COM1: (for serial printers).  We've included other choices for emergencies. If you
          select either of the COM ports, you'll also be asked for the baud rate and data characteristics (parity, stop bits, word
          length) your printer needs.  CHECK THE PRINTER'S MANUAL FOR THIS INFORMATION.
          
               The emulation section follows and notice that we are looking for only seven possible emulations.  Select the one
          that applies to your printer or press ESC if none apply.
          
               There's a brief rest as you're asked to verify the port, data characteristics (if applicable) and emulation you've
          just entered.
          
               Make sure you're printer is turned on, on line, filled to the brim with paper and that the paper is set to top of
          form.  You're about to enter the wonderful world of printing.
          
               If you've entered features codes, that's what you'll print first.  As the on-screen directions imply, you can skip
          the features test by pressing ESC (REMEMBER - DON'T DO FEATURES FOR A POSTSCRIPT PRINTER!!!!!).
          
               Next is the emualtion print.  The emulation file you've selected is printed three times (quite noisey on dot matrix
          printers).  You're then given a chance to select a new emulation to try.  DO ALL THAT APPLY, but don't waste you're
          time.  If the manual is unclear as to which other printers your printer can emulate, call the manufacturer.  The results
          of this test should give you a good idea of the true emulation characteristics as well as demonstrate how the printer
          handles varying print densities.
          
               The next test is a humdinger (for those of you too young to know what that means, it's the equivalent of walking up
          to Sean Penn with a camera in your hands).  If you're using a wide-carriage printer, it's important to have wide paper
          in it at this point.  You'll just need to redo the test if you don't.  Use the output from this test to determine top to
          bottom and side to side printing margins as well as to calculate the number of lines per page and characters per line.
          
               Now comes more work.  Many printers have a variety of built-in fonts (NOT DOWNLOADABLE or CARTRIDGE additions).
          Here's your chance to show the world how well your printer does.  Remember, fonts are not alterations in existing font
          sizes, but actual different fonts (Courier 12 point is a variation on Courier, Times Roman would be a different font.)
          Enter the codes here as you would for the features test earlier.  For reasons of sanity, we've limited you to 20 font
          selections.  If there are more, go back and re-do them by bypassing the other sections of the test.
          
               The speed test is a a separate test once you exit PRBENCH.  It was constructed that way as it serves two purposes.
          First, the speed test tells you how fast the printer is working (naturally), but it also gives you an environment in
          which you can do the dreaded sound test.
          
               If you have a wide carriage printer, you'll perform this test at least twice but possibly six times.  Once for
          narrow paper and once for wide paper in the default font.  Then once for in each variety for as many fonts as the
          printer contains (remember, default fonts aren't always the draft fonts).



            Project Printer '87 - The Search for Spec            2