Q: How do I get the Buspkg to fit the printout to the page on printer X?

A: The SIM Business Package is very limited in its capabilities for controlling printers, but it is also very minimal in its demands. All it needs to be able to do is to print in two fixed character spacings, 80 and 132 characters on a line. See page 10-10 thru 10-12 in the manual. To set up the printer go to the Job Control Master Menu, select the "invisible" option, then choose 5. Enter/Edit Output Devices. The commands for the printer are in the form of escape sequences. There are 15 characters available for each escape sequence, which isn't much but even on a LaserJet is enough to set the font and character pitch. The number of lines per page that it sends to the printer can be set in the software, and doesn't require a setting in the printer.

Q: I bought a new printer that does not support printing from DOS. Can I use it with the Business Package:

A: No. Some new inexpensive printers only operate in graphical mode and do not provide the text modes required by the Business Package. Be sure to verify that the printer you buy supports printing from DOS. Printers that do not support  printing from the Business Package include the Canon BJC-5100.

Q: What Escape Sequences do I use for printer X?

A: In the following table where there is $ this means press the <Esc> key. It will appear as $ on the screen. Where there is (Alt-15) or (Alt-18) means hold down the <Alt> key and type 15 or 18 on the keypad part of the keyboard, then release the Alt key. If your printer is not listed, it is probably compatible with one of these. Try these first, and if you still have trouble, contact John Dudeck.

Printer type Elite and Finish-Up Compressed All HP LaserJets, Epson ActionLasers, and most other laser printers $E$(s3T$(s12H $E$(s0T$(s16H Note: If text doesn´t fit, use 18 instead of 16. This causes the text to be slightly more compressed. Epson LX/LQ dot matrix, Stylus inkjet, and compatibles $x1(Alt-18)$M $x0$P(Alt-15) Epson all older dot matrix $E $P IBM Proprinter, Canon BubbleJet $: (Alt-15) Citizen 120-D $M$x0 (Alt-15)$x0 Toshiba dot matrix $*0$]$E10 $*0$E12$[ DEC LA 50/100/210 $[2w $[4w

(Please contact me if you have trouble with any of these settings).

Q: How do I print on A4 paper? It seems the Buspkg wants to print on Letter paper (8.5x11 inches).

You can use A4 paper with the Business package. Set the printer´s default setting to Letter 8.5 x 11 instead of A4. In Windows set the printer default paper type to A4. This will cause Windows software to use A4, but DOS programs that print directly to the printer such as the Business Package will use the Letter setting to print on A4 paper.

Q: When printing to an Epson LQ dot matrix printer under Windows 95 the page length changes to about 8.4 inches. The printer is set for 11 inch paper. The Output Device Escape Sequences in the BUSPKG do not change the page length.

A: In the "Spool Settings" in the Windows 95 Printer Properties for your printer there is a "Spool Data Format" option with choices of EMF and RAW. If it is on EMF, change it to RAW.