Question: Please tell me about the direction of LaserWriter 8.x software. Is Apple really promoting the use of LaserWriter 8.x? If so, why isn't it the standard driver in 7.5?
Answer: Apple is promoting the use of LaserWriter 8.x. LaserWriter 7.2 is included in System 7.5 mainly for compatibility reasons. There are still a few applications that have not been revised to take advantage of LaserWriter 8. Also, LaserWriter 8.2 (which addresses bugs with LaserWriter 8.1.1) was not available when System 7.5 was released, and so LaserWriter 7.2 was included as a "backup" driver.
Question: The Read Me of the LaserWriter 8.1.1 mentioned several compatibility problems. Are these resolved yet? The Read Me of LaserWriter 8.2 doesn't list any problems.
Answer: The majority of compatibility problems listed in the LaserWriter 8.1.1 Read Me need to be resolved in the applications themselves. We recommend that you check with the specific developers to see if they have revised their applications to resolve the problem(s) listed. LaserWriter driver 8.2 includes some bug fixes of its own, but also includes some new features as well (Please refer to the Tech Info Library article "LaserWriter 8.2: Changes to Printer Driver (9/94)").
Question: What if we go to QuickDraw GX? Wouldn't we use the QuickDraw GX driver exclusively and therefore LaserWriter 8.x is just for temporary use until we go GX? Should our company wait until we decide on the release/roll out of 7.5/GX to make the decision on LaserWriter 8.2?
Answer: In theory you can go with LaserWriter GX exclusively. However, you will not receive all of the benefits of GX printing unless the applications you are using are GX-aware. If you encounter problems or incompatibilities with QuickDraw GX, then you might consider the following two options:
* Try using GX Helper (included as a custom install item in GX) - this option allows non-GX aware applications to turn OFF desktop printing for Apple-only printers, and use LaserWriter 7.2 if it is installed in the Extensions folder. GX Helper is only tested and supported with LaserWriter 7.2, though we have verified that it seems to work with LaserWriter 8.x and 8.xf as well.
* Fall back to LaserWriter driver 8.2 with GX turned OFF.
System 7.5 and QuickDraw GX have both been released and are available in the marketplace.
Question: Why are there two LaserWriter drivers? It seems there will be support, standards, and development difficulties with two LaserWriter driver standards.
Answer: We would suggest trying out QuickDraw GX to determine if it will meet your needs given that the majority of applications are not yet GX-aware. If it does not, LaserWriter driver 8.2 is a very robust release and should provide you with the best overall functionality. In regard to longer-term strategy, the goal is to provide the functionality of both driver platforms into one, LaserWriter GX with printer extensions.