HP Plotters 'n other stuff

BROWNK@sask.usask.ca
Wed, 10 Nov 1993 11:10:55 -0600 (CST)

Just a short note for those who expressed interest in my program for use
on a PC to act as a 'translator' between the Aspect 3000 and a HP Laserjet 4.
The program names are FILTER and CAPTURE and are contained in a self-extracting
program, FILT. FILT can be ftp'd from 128.233.15.37. As well, there is a short
text file, FILT.TXT, which explains how to extract the programs and what the
programs do.

As far as my problems with the HP 7475 plotter, Charlie at Bruker may have
been right about the cable not being correct. As I recall, the cable I used
was a *very* simple null modem cable. Pins 2 and 3 were reversed and pin 7 was
carried straight through ... and that was it. I don't think that there was any
provision for DTR signals. Anyway, its academic now ... we're using a laserjet.

Back on the subject of programs, I have written and have used extensively
a 'help' program for use on the Aspect 3000. I use several monitor commands on
a routine if somewhat infrequent basis and usually have to look up the exact
format of the command in the manual. The 'help' system has all of this
information built into it .... just type 'help' at the monitor prompt and a
list of available commands comes up from which you can select one and get the
same information as is contained in the Bruker manuals. The program may be
ftp'd from the above ftp site. Also included are a couple of sets of library
routines that are needed to compile the program or for general use in
programming in Pascal on the Aspect 3000. I have found the help program to
be very useful and can't imagine not having it now. Try it ... you'll like it.
(One note: the programs are contained in self-extracting files and must be
extracted on a PC followed by transfer to the Aspect via Kermit or some such
program).

Keith Brown
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
BROWNK@SASK.USASK.CA