On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 21:46:28 -0400, Bill Spencer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi there, me again. Looks like nothing is ever free, eh? To recap: I have > been given a laser writer 12/640, and I have been poking around to find out > about how well it works and how to use it, etc. Here's what I now know: > > 1) It has a parallel port, an Ethernet port, and a LocalTalk port which I > believe is the same as the old serial printer port. > > 2) My computer has two FireWire ports, two USB ports, an Ethernet port, and > an ADB port. The ADB is being used by the keyboard/mouse; the USB by the > current printer and the scanner, and the Ethernet by Comcast. > > 3) The manual says to use the LocalTalk port to connect to a stand-alone > computer. No can do, since there is no such port on the computer. > > 4) Many have told me that Ethernet is the way to go. No can do, since > Comcast got there first. > > 5) Okay, some friends say, get a cheap hub and a second cable and you're > set. But they then go on to say that I would have to assign an IP address to > the printer for that to work. How would I do that? And does the printer have > the capability of taking an IP address? > > 6) In order to assign said IP address I would have to know the IP address of > my computer. But I believe that Comcast assigns me an IP address dynamically > so there's no way to assign one to the printer that way. Well, they say, get > a router...that way I can have my own IP network behind the firewall and > Comcast won't care. But this is now getting way more complex that I want. > It's just a printer, after all, and the whole point is to avoid spending any > more money than I absolutely have to. > > 7) I suppose I could get a serial-to-FireWire adapter, or a serial-to-USB > adapter, or a serial card or a second Ethernet card. Or something. Per one > friend, even a new cheap laser printer. > > AACK! What's a mother to do? I firmly believe in the KISS system. Plus I'm > obviously a cheap SOB. I-just-want-to-use-the-"new"-"free"-printer. That's > all. How should I proceed?
For several years I also had a Blue & White G3/400 running OS 9.1. Through a simple Farallon ethernet hub, I connected both high-speed Internet service and assorted Apple LaserWriters, first an old IINT (with an Asante LocalTalk/Ethernet adapter), then a 630 Pro, and finally a 16/600 PS. It was allways "plug & play," without any need to mess with IP addresses. -- G-List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- We have Apple Refurbished Monitors in stock! | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-List list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
