[2813] in bugtraq
Re: Write-only devices (Was read only devices)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Adam Bauer)
Tue Jun 25 17:45:08 1996
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 10:40:52 -0400
Reply-To: Bugtraq List <BUGTRAQ@netspace.org>
From: Adam Bauer <abauer@gw.jmpstart.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list BUGTRAQ <BUGTRAQ@netspace.org>
At 07:35 AM 6/25/96 +1000, Peter Jeremy <jeremyp@gsms01.alcatel.com.au> wrote:
>Cheap and understandable I'll accept. `reliable' I won't - at least
>not at a system level (accepting data and producing a legible paper
>record). In my experience, dot-matrix pin-printers fail in the
>following ways:
>- the ribbon runs out
> [....]
>- ink dries out in the print-head, seizing the pins (this is unlikely in
> a logging printer though).
>
>Note that these problems happened using reputable brands of printers, with
>proper fanfold paper. Possibly the printer quality has improved in the last
>ten years...
>
>Their other major problem is lack of speed. This makes them far more
>susceptible to denial-of-service attacks.
DEC used to, and still do, make large, fast, heavy-duty line printers. They
eliminate many of the problems with regular dot matrix printers, but they
ain't exactly cheap. Check out
http://www.printers.digital.com/products/prt_lgpfam.html for an example.
Here's a blurb:
>LGplus Family of Line Matrix Printers
>
>This third generation of LG printers continues the LG printer series
reputation for flexibility, reliability and the ability to withstand heavy
>usage in the harshest environments. The LG04plus (475 lpm), LG08plus (800
lpm), and LG12plus (1200 lpm) produce quality text and
>graphics on a variety of media. They function quietly in an office
atmosphere, yet they are ruggedly built to withstand the rigors of a factory
>environment.
lpm = lines per minute. At 66 lines a page, that's 18 pages/minute for the
LG12.
Some other stats (according to DEC):
[http://www.printers.digital.com/products/prt_lgpfamds.html]
>Noise level 52dBA
>Duty cycle Unlimited
>Dimensions 107.4H x 68.8W x 72.4D cm (42.3H x 27W x 28.5D in)
>Weight 102 kg (225 lb)
>Power consumption 180 W typical, 260 W maximum
I do not endore DEC; I'm sure IBM and HP have similar (and maybe even
better) products. Never having tried any of them, it's a crap shoot to me.
They're certainly fast enough, and they are pretty rugged; I've seen 15 year
old printers survive through several servers and still work today.
- Adam Bauer (abauer@jmpstart.com)
SysAdmin, JumpStart Systems
http://www.jmpstart.com
