jdd composed on 2015-05-26 15:38 (UTC+0200):
Felix Miata composed:
jdd composed on 2015-05-26 14:48 (UTC+0200):
I still don't understand from what computer/system you want to print. Obviously you have to run your program on some machine to be able to print?
I'm not being picky about how. I just want stuff in existing DOS spreadsheets appropriately dumped onto paper
so your problem is not to find a printer but to find an application able to print your spreadsheet from file?
I doubt it any application exists that can translate this application's file content to printer output except this application itself. Several times over the years I looked for any application that could read or import its files, and never found one. Even the application's author (Borland), before it ceased to exist, failed to create one for those who upgraded to its replacement (for Windows).
the epson link you shared yourself, was clear: the printing was up to the application, not the system.
AFAIK, that is how all printing from major DOS apps worked (e.g, Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect, dBase, etc., plus the one I use, Quattro Pro).
Chance is your aplication did store the format as binary blob and convert it to the needed printer at print time.
I don't think that's how it worked unless printing in graphical mode. All my files are configured for text mode, with Epson printer codes embedded in spreadsheet cells.
If so, no other way than running the original.
then it's not obvious but seems doable. Load a freedos virtualbox image:
then ead this:
I tried DOS in virtual machines years back. I was always hung up by inability to get screen mode acceptable, so never got as far as trying to figure out printing. Like with printers, DOS required video card drivers specific to the gfxchips. AFAIK, the only PCIe cards at least theoretically compatible are from ATI now AMD, but the required compatibility is blocked by the virtual layer offering DOS apps only some sort of generic video. For video, OS/2 and eComStation run Quattro Pro better than DOS ever did. But they never would print except in graphical mode, and AFAIK, still won't, so only can print from a file, and the only print file type available from Quattro Pro is plain visible text.
Only if the printers and/or CUPS and/or Gutenprint are able to translate the text mode output. The Epson printer controls are embedded in the spreadsheet content for printing in text mode, seconds per page, vs. the several minutes per page had they been designed for graphical mode.
if what you have a file that is directly printable to a needle printer, you should be able to print is through the epson gs filter. I did such thing 10 years ago, before cups, but do not really recall how.
The bigger reason for the thread is the issue of choosing a new MF printer, preferably one natively handling Epson FX/LX/LQ printer control languages. Right now I have no FAX, no copier, and no ability to print anything from Linux.
you still can try to print to pdf,
Without a printer to get the pdf onto paper, to what end?
best way to test without losing paper :-)
This app only prints to a DOS-supported (aka character mode) printer (which excludes all PS printers, and PDF) or to plain text file. My history with PDF for any reason is terrible, typically having to choose between legible size text, and not having to scroll horizontally. IOW, they virturally always have A11Y and/or U7Y issues. Even thinking about PDF raises my blood pressure. The only PDFs that have ever worked OK for me has been invoices that vendors can no longer be bothered to print themselves and mail or include in their shipments, and rebate forms.
may be you can share one of these spreadsheet for us to test?
To what end, unless you have the same DOS app that reads the native WQ!, WQ1 and WQ3 formats? http://fm.no-ip.com/Tmp/vid-dvd.wq! -- "The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive." Proverbs 16:21 (New Living Translation) Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 ** a11y rocks! Felix Miata *** http://fm.no-ip.com/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, e-mail: opensuse+owner@opensuse.org