Re: Write-only devices (Was read only devices)

[abauer () gw jmpstart com (Adam Bauer)]

At 07:35 AM 6/25/96 +1000, Peter Jeremy <jeremyp () gsms01 alcatel com au> wrote:
> Cheap and understandable I'll accept.  `reliable' I won't - at least
> not at a system level (accepting data and producing a legible paper
> record).  In my experience, dot-matrix pin-printers fail in the
> following ways:
> - the ribbon runs out
> [....]
> - ink dries out in the print-head, seizing the pins (this is unlikely in
>  a logging printer though).
>
> Note that these problems happened using reputable brands of printers, with
> proper fanfold paper.  Possibly the printer quality has improved in the last
> ten years...
>
> Their other major problem is lack of speed.  This makes them far more
> susceptible to denial-of-service attacks.

DEC used to, and still do, make large, fast, heavy-duty line printers.  They
eliminate many of the problems with regular dot matrix printers, but they
ain't exactly cheap.  Check out
http://www.printers.digital.com/products/prt_lgpfam.html for an example.
Here's a blurb:

> LGplus Family of Line Matrix Printers
>
> This third generation of LG printers continues the LG printer series
reputation for flexibility, reliability and the ability to withstand heavy
> usage in the harshest environments. The LG04plus (475 lpm), LG08plus (800
lpm), and LG12plus (1200 lpm) produce quality text and
> graphics on a variety of media. They function quietly in an office
atmosphere, yet they are ruggedly built to withstand the rigors of a factory
> environment.

lpm = lines per minute.  At 66 lines a page, that's 18 pages/minute for the
LG12.

Some other stats (according to DEC):
[http://www.printers.digital.com/products/prt_lgpfamds.html]

> Noise level                 52dBA
> Duty cycle                  Unlimited
> Dimensions                  107.4H x 68.8W x 72.4D cm (42.3H x 27W x 28.5D in)
> Weight                      102 kg (225 lb)
> Power consumption           180 W typical, 260 W maximum

I do not endore DEC;  I'm sure IBM and HP have similar (and maybe even
better) products.  Never having tried any of them, it's a crap shoot to me.

They're certainly fast enough, and they are pretty rugged; I've seen 15 year
old printers survive through several servers and still work today.


- Adam Bauer (abauer () jmpstart com)
  SysAdmin, JumpStart Systems
  http://www.jmpstart.com