While developing MAE, we couldn't test on all possible PostScript printers. Also, many older PostScript printers have very little memory (for example, the original Apple LaserWriter, only had 1 MB of RAM) and it is difficult to print complicated documents on them. Note that a Macintosh computer communicates directly with the printer, so it can optimize the manner in which postscript is fed into the printer and thereby limit the memory needed to print. Since MAE's LprWriter uses the underlying UNIX print spooler, direct communication with the printer doesn't occur. So it is possible for a printer to print a complex document from a Macintosh but unable to print the same document from MAE.
We will be updating LprWriter in the next version of MAE, which may help with some of these difficulties.
Other tips:
1) The LprWriter driver generates Level 1 PostScript, which should print
on any "real" PostScript printer that has enough memory. (Some
companies didn't license a PostScript interpreter from Adobe, they
wrote their own, and often they have problems.)
2) It is very important to specify the correct PPD file for the printer.
The PPD file contains information about resident fonts, memory size,
page sizes, and so on. If an incorrect PPD is specified, you may have
problems printing.
3) If the PPD file for a printer isn't shipped with MAE, you can try and
get it directly from the printer manufacturer, or from Adobe. Adobe,
the creator of PostScript maintains archives of PPD files, and
technical papers about PostScript. These are available on the Internet.
You can contact their ftp server, ftp.adobe.com (130.248.1.4). The
login is "anonymous", and you should use your e-mail address as the
password. PPD files are in the directory:
/pub/adobe/PPD/mac
Note that all spaces in PPD filenames have been replaced with tildes
(~), to make it easier to retrieve the files. After downloading a PPD
from this directory, change all tildes in the filename to spaces.
Or you can send mail to their e-mail server:
ps-file-server@adobe.com
Send an e-mail message with just the word "help" in the subject for
instructions on how to use the e-mail server.
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Support Information Services