Ethernet with an HP4

[Alan]

My HP4 came with a Jetdirect card and an Ethernet port.
So far I've just used the parallel port to print. I'm wondering if
it's worthwhile to use the Ethernet connection -- would it be
noticeably faster? (One thing that takes quite a long time is
downloading Postscript fonts.) Any pointers as to how to do it? (No
docs with the printer.)

I don't have a local network at all, though I do use an Ethernet DSL
modem. I use a Windows PC and also have G3 Mac, both ahave a single
Ethernet port. (The Jetirect card also has an Apple printer port, so I
can print from Mac in the old-fashioned way too.)

 

[Warren Block]

My HP4 came with a Jetdirect card and an Ethernet port.
So far I've just used the parallel port to print. I'm wondering if
it's worthwhile to use the Ethernet connection -- would it be
noticeably faster?

Maybe. It depends on whether the printer is spending the time
transferring the data or processing it.

The MIO JetDirects were not particularly quick, either. You should
check to see if your computer's parallel port is set to EPP or EPP/ECP
mode, which may actually transfer data to the printer faster than that
JetDirect can.

Any pointers as to how to do it? (No docs with the printer.)

Vaguely: configure JetDirect with an IP address and netmask that matches
your network. Connect to computer (you'll need a hub, switch, or a
crossover cable). Configure computer to print via TCP port 9100 at that
IP address, or with the lpr/lpd protocol.

The difficulty of the last step varies. Google for specifics for your
hardware and operating system.