A LaserWriter containing the new software can be identified in several ways:
The test page printed at power on time includes the LaserWriter revision number in the lower left corner of the line graph illustration; for the new software, this revision number is '2.0'.
A revision entry in statusdict contains the integer '2' identifying the new revision of the LaserWriter software. A PostScript program can read this
value.
The version entry in 'systemdict' contains the string '37.0' or '38.0', identifying the PostScript interpreter included in the new software.
The product entry in 'statusdict' contains the string 'LaserWriter' for a LaserWriter with the standard 13 fonts, or 'LaserWriter Plus' for a LaserWriter Plus with its expanded set of 35 fonts. Note that a program is better advised to determine the selection of available fonts by enumerating the FontDictionary dictionary.
The enhancements introduced in the new software fall into three categories, LaserWriter-specific functions, improvements in software implementation, and PostScript language changes.
1. LaserWriter-specific functional changes. There include expanded
communications options, additional paper tray selections, new fonts, and
various other features present in revision 2 LaserWriter and not necessarily
present in other PostScript printers.
2. Improvements in implementation. Nearly all the problems present in the
original LaserWriter software have been corrected, and a number of
operations have been made significantly faster.
3. PostScript language changes. Several new operations and capabilities have
been introduced into the standard PostScript language and are being
incorporated into all PostScript printers.
Installation of the new LaserWriter or LaserWriter Plus ROM software in an existing LaserWriter causes the page count to be reset to zero and all system parameters to revert to their default values.
Article Change History:
8 Sep 1994 - Reviewed for accuracy.
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