printer graphics mode under Merge

[Doug Blair]

Hardware: 80386 clone, Epson FX-85 printer
Software: Microport SysV/386, Merge 3.0 (not 3.0e yet), Springboard Newsroom

We (well, OK, my kids) would like to run Springboard's Newsroom. It's
an MSDOS program that prints newsletters using the high density graphics
mode of the printer. We've installed the software as a DOS program under
unix (Merge) but we get gibberish when we try to print the paper. The
program does just fine reading graphics pictures and clipart, but of
course it's of little use if you can't print the stuff.

Normally under Merge all the DOS printing is handed to the unix "lp"
print spooler. There is supposed to be a way to route all the DOS
printing directly to the printer port with the dos -s option, but
it doesn't seem to work. I suspect we have a problem with either some
DOS droid sticking in line feeds or the print spooler dropping the
8th bit somewhere, but I've leaned on this project all Saturday without
getting anywhere :-).

Can someone help me get 100% of the printer?

Doug

email obdient!blair