Originally Posted by
BigLar
Cool.
I had an E-size plotter running at one time. It was a Calcomp and this one used Calcomp's own language; couldn't handle HPGL. Fortunately, the Calcomp User's Group had a free utility to convert, so I could use it.
It only had a serial input, so I used some old 386 running Lantastic-Z - I'd dump the files to him (oooh! Parallel port! Fast!). He'd do the conversion and drive the plotter while I got back to work. Some plots took hours.
Lots of people use older computers for various things; phone service, print servers, etc. Don't need the speed, just compatible hardware. And, of course, systems that can talk to one another.
Curious about that tabloid laser. I picked up an HP 5SI a few years ago that handles 11x17. Stumbled across it for $35, as I recall, and added their ethernet adapter. It now sits on a cat5 cable and prints for everybody.
Two weeks ago, I picked up a bare-bones computer on a whim. Turned out to be a
[email protected] GHz, two CD/DVD/R/W drives, 400W power supply, etc. Stuck in some of my memory and up it came. Good COA sticker, too.
Oh yeah - the price. Twenty-five cents. Try that with an Apple.
Mine is a 4MV with 2000 ltr size tray, 500 tabloid tray and bulk envelope loader. On the output side it has the 10bin sorter which you can make multi copies to separate bins or different print job to different bin. Each bin had a security locking door.
Got it free when clearing up a tenant who had left in distress.
I tries four NIB ethernet adapter from eBay in it and none worked properly so I just use an older 98SE box as the printer server.
25cents? You can't buy an apple at Whole Food for that price
When Calcomp discontinue pens for my plotter, someone shared on the user group the sharpie conversion.
^^^ to the "user groups"
If it ain't broken, don't touch it!