Epson FX-80 User manual

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EPSON
FX-80 PRINTER
USER'S MANUAL
By
David A. Kater

FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
FOR AMERICAN USERS
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used
properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions,
may cause
interference toradio andtelevision reception..!t hasbeentype tested andfound to comply
with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in
Subpart Jof Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection
against such interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause inter-
ference
to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equip-
ment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:
-Reorient the receiving antenna
-Relocate the computer with respect to the receiver
-Move the computer into a different outlet so that computer
and receiver are on
different branch circuits.
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television techni-
cian for additional suggestions. The user
may find the following booklet prepared by the
Federal Communications Commission helpful:
"How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems."
This booklet is available from the u.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC
20402. Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.
All rightS reserved. No partofthis publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording or other-
wise, without the prior written permission of Epson America, Inc. No patent liability
is as-
sumed with respect to the use of the information containedherein. While every precaution has
been taken in the preparation of this book, Epson America, Inc. and the author assume no
responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting
from the use of the information contained herein.
Apple@ is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
Centronics@ is a registered trademark of Data Computer Corporation.
Concept'· is a trademark of Corvus Systems, Inc.
DEC is the Digital Equipment Corporation.,
NEC is the NEC Information Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Nippon Electronic Company, Ltd.
TRS-8Q® is a registered trademark of Radio Shack, a division of Tandy Corporation.
80 Microcomputing is published by Wayne Green Publishers.
Copyright© 1983 by Epson America, Inc.
Torrance, California 90505
ii

FX-80 User's Manual
The Chapters at a Glance
1 Looking It Over ., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 Controlling the Printer from BASIC
.............. 21
3 Print Pitches .......................... , . . . . . . . 35
4 Print Quality ................................. 47
5 Dress-Up Modes
and Master Select ............... 55
6 Special Print Features .......................... 69
7 Line Spacing and Line Feeds ..................... 79
8 Forms Control ................................ 91
9 Formatting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
10 Saving Vertical Tabs in Channels ................. 119
11 Introduction to Dot Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
12 Printer Graphics: Firing Single Pins
............. . . 137
13 Graphics Pin Patterns and ...................... 141
New Graphics Modes
14 Two Types of Graphics
Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
15 Plotter Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
16 Advanced Graphics in Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
17 User-Defined Characters
........................ 195
18 Combining User-Defined Characters .............. 211
19 Printing Applications .......................... 225
iii

Table of Contents
Table of Contents .................................. iii
Table of Figures
........................ , . . . . . . . . . . . xi
Table of Tables .................................... xv
Introduction
...................................... xvii
FX-80 Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
What's Inside the Printer
.......................... xviii
Using the Manual ................................ xx
Your Personal Guide
............................. xxi
One Easy Lesson ................................. ". . xxv
1
iv
First Steps
...................................... xxv
Ticket Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxvi
Ticket Program Description
....................... xxviii
Looking It
Over .............................. .
Supplies
and Accessories ....................... .
Find Your
FX-80 a Safe Home ................... .
First Things First
............................. .
The covers ................................ .
The ribbon ................................ .
The paper guide ............................ .
Paper Feeders ................................ .
The pin feeders ............................. .
The optional tractor feeder ................... .
The friction feeder .......................... .
Parts with Settings ............................ .
The paper thickness lever .................... .
Function switches
........................... .
Starting
Up .................................. .
Top panel buttons
and lights .................. .
The FX-80 tests itself ........................ .
1
3
3
4
4
5
7
7
7
10
12
13
13
14
17
18
19

2
3
4
Controlling the Printer from BASIC ............. .
BASIC Communications
....................... .
The CHR$ function .......................... .
Printing from BASIC ........................ .
BASIC basics
.............................. .
Control codes
.............................. .
ESCape
................................... .
Resetting
Commands .......................... .
The Master Reset Code ...................... .
The print buffer ............................ .
CANcel
and DELete ........................ .
21
22
23
23
25
26
27
28
28
29
30
Specific reset codes .......................... 31
ASCII Characters in ESCape Sequences ........... 32
Summary .......................... :......... 32
Notation Used in This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Print Pitches ................................. .
35
Dot-Matrix Printing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 .
The print head .............................. 35
Main columns .............................. 36
Intermediate positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Modes for Pitches
............................. 38
Pica and Elite Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Compressed
Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Conflicting modes ........................... 40
Mixing Pitch Modes ........................... 41
Expanded Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Mixing print pitches on one line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Summary.................................... 46
Print Quality ................................ .
Modes for Weights
............................ .
Double-Strike Mode
........................ .
Emphasized
Mode .......................... .
Emphasized and Double-Strike ................ .
in concert
47
47
47
49
50
Proportional Mode ............................ 50
More Mixing of Modes ......................... 52
Mode Priorities ............................... 53
Summary.................................... 54
v

5
6
7
8
vi
Dress-Up Modes
and Master Select .............. .
Dress-Up Modes
............................. .
Underline Mode
............................ .
Super- and Subscript Modes .................. .
Italic Mode
................................ .
Master Print Mode Select ...................... .
55
55
55
56
57
58
The inner workings of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
the Master Select
Unique modes .............................. 62
Switching modes with Master Select ............ 64
The Master Select as a subroutine .............. 66
Summary .... ;............................... 67
Special Print Features
......................... .
Special Characters ............................ .
The backspace function ...................... .
Some special characters ...................... .
International characters ...................... .
International switches ....................... .
Special Speeds
............................... .
Half-Speed Mode ........................... .
Immediate Print Mode ...................... .
Solving the 7-Bit Dilemma
..................... .
Summary ................................... .
Line Spacing
and Line Feeds .................... .
Line Spacing
................................. .
Changing line spacing ....................... .
Variable line spacing
........................ .
Microscopic line spacing
..................... .
Line Feeds ................................... .
69
69
69
71
72
74
75
75
75
76
77
79
79
79
81
83
84
One-time, immediate line feed
................. 84
Reverse feed
................................ 86
Summary.................................... 88
Forms Control
............................... .
Controlling Form Length
...................... .
Form feed
................................. .
Not-so-standard forms
...................... .
Absolute form length ....................... .
Avoiding the Paper Perforation ................. .
The SOP solution .......................... .
91
91
91
92
94
96
96
Setting the SOP with a switch ................. 97
The Single-Sheet Trick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
98
Summary.................................... 99

9 Formatting
.................................. .
Vertical Tabs
................................. . 101
101
Activating vertical tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Fixed VTabs ................................ 106
Range limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Horizontal Tabs ............................... 106
Default horizontal tabs ....................... 112
BASIC TABs
................................. 113
Setting the Margins
............................ 113
Left margin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Right margin
............................... 114
Using the margin commands together ........... 115
Margin Settings
and Other Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Unidirectional Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Summary............... ..................... 117
10 Saving Vertical Tabs in Channels ................. 119
Setting the Numbers
........................... 119
Filling in Preprinted Forms
...................... 124
Multiple-Page Forms
........................... 124
Next
Up . . . Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Summary .................................... 125
11 Introduction to
Dot Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
The Big Dot Matrix ............................ 127
Graphics
Mode ............................. 128
Entering a Graphics
Mode .................... 129
The 7-Bit Limitation ........................... 130
Firing the pins .............................. 132
Testing, testing
.............................. 133
First Graphics
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Graphics
Width Limitations ..................... 135
Summary .................................... 135
12 Printer Graphics: Firing Single Pins
........... . . . . 137
Controlling the Pins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Changing direction
.......................... 138
Graphics Line Spacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Variable
Control .............................. 139
vii

13 Graphics Pin Patterns and ...................... 141
New Graphics Modes
Software Notes ............................... 142
More Software Notes
.......................... 142
Changing Densities
............................ 143
High-Speed
Double-Density. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Graphics Mode
Low-Speed Double-Density
................... 144
Graphics Mode
Quadruple-Density Graphics
Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
More densities
.............................. 147
9-Pin Graphics Mode .......................... 149
Pattern Design ................................ 151
Repeating a pattern. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Repeating DATA numbers
.................... 152
Summary
.................................... 153
14 Two Types of Graphics
Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
The Planning Process
.......................... 155
Logo Design
.................................. 156
3-Dimensional
Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 158
Entering the program
........................ 160
Flexing your graphics muscles ................. 163
15 Plotter Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Arrays.. ..................................... 168
DIMensioning an array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Filling an array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Plotting a Circle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Translating the ones to dots
................... 172
One last step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Problem ..................................... 175
Higher Resolution
............................. 175
Reflections
................................... 177
The exploding universe
....................... 178
The big bang ............................... 179
viii

16 Advanced Graphics in Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Generating the Array (Phase One) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Describing the 2-Dimensional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Matrix (Pause)
Calculating Pin Patterns (Phase Two)
............. 187
Setting the Graphics Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
(Phase Three)
Printing the Figure (Phase Four) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Variations
on a Theme (Phase Five) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
17 User-Defined Characters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Preparation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Defining
Characters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Designing characters
.......................... 197
Translating dots to
DATA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
The attribute byte
........................... 199
Proportional print information
................ 200
Printing User-Defined Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Download Commands ......................... 204
Defining Strings of Characters ................... 205
Defining Control Codes ........................ 205
Printing low-order control codes ............... 207
Mode Strings ................................. 209
Strata ....................................... 209
Summary .................................... 210
18 Combining User-Defined Characters .............. 211
Large Letters: Double Wide ..................... 211
Large Letters: Double High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Large Letters: Double High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
and Double Wide
Let's Print
.................................... 217
Building Symbols from a Small Core Set
.......... 221
Line Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
19 Printing Applications .......................... 225
Preparing for Take-off ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Barchart ..................................... 226
Statement Form ............................... 229
Entering the program ........................ 233
Program overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Line-by-line comments ....................... 235
999 REM: THE END .......................... . 236
ix

Appendixes
A ASCII Charts
................................. 237
B Character Fonts
............................... 243
C Proportional Character Widths
.................. 249
D Control Codes in Numeric
Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
E Control Codes
by Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
F Mixing Print Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
G Summary of Differences between the
FX-80 and the MX Graftrax Plus ............... 273
H Hex Dumping
and Problem Codes ............... 279
I Troubleshooting the Sample Programs
............ 287
J General Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
K Switch Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
L Customizing the
FX-80 ......................... 299
M Printer Maintenance
........................... 301
N Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
o The Parallel Interface .......................... 307
P
Schematic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Index
............................................ 313
x

Table of Figures
Easy-l Program for the FX-80 ticket. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxvi
Easy-2 Ticket to success. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxviii
1-1 Unpacking the
FX-80 ..................... 2
1-2 Uncovering the FX-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1-3 The ribbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1-4 Inserting the paper guide .................. 7
1-5 Adjusting the pin feeders .................. 8
1-6 Loading the paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1-7 The paper
path .......................... 10
1-8 Installing the optional tractor feeder . . . . . . . . . 11
1-9 Adjusting the tractor width ................ 12
1-10 Releasing the tractor feeder ................ 12
1-11 Setting the paper-thickness lever . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1-12 Uncovering the DIP switches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
1-13 Factory setting of the DIP switches .. '.' . . . . . . 16
1-14 Connecting the cable ..................... 17
1-15 Setting the Top Of Form .................. 19
1-16 Sample self test .......................... 20
3-1 Dot-matrix characters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
3-2 The print head .......................... 36
3-3 All dots in main columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
3-4 Use of intermediate positions 4
and 6 . . . . . . . . 37
3-5 Pica
and Elite M ......................... 38
3-6 Pica and Expanded A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
4-1 Single- and Double-Strike M .......... . . . . . 48
4-2 Single-Strike and Emphasized M . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
5-1 Program for Master Select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
5-2 Unique print modes with (ESC) ... . . . . . . . . . 59
5-3 Some mode combinations ................. 63
5-4 Italic print menu ......................... 65
6-1 Program for international characters ........ 72
xi

7-1 Standard character matrix and line feed. . . . . . 80
7-2 Regular STAIR STEPS .................... 82
7-3 Irregular STAIR STEPS ................... 85
8-1 Setting the Top Of Form (TOF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
8-2 Example of 2-inch spacing ................. 93
8-3 Example of 2-line spacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
8-4 Example of 14-line spacing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
8-5 Centering the SOP gap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
9-1 Rental maintenance form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
9-2 Form using two pages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
9-3 Setting up the form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 105
9-4 A test of changing line spacing ............. 107
9-5 Adding horizontal tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
9-6 A test of changing pitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
9-7 Program for FORM...................... 112
9-8 Uneven columns
......................... 116
9-9 Even columns with Unidirectional Mode ..... 117
10-1 Program for using FORM ................. 120
10-2 Four sets of sample answers and printouts . . . . 122
10-3 Program for multiple-page channels . . . . . . . . . 125
10-4 Three pages of channels printed out ......... 126
11-1 Comparison of
7- and 12-dot line spacing .... 128
11-2 Usable pins labelled sequentially. . . . . . . . . . . .
132
11-3 Usable pins labelled uniquely .............. 133
13-1 Double-Density handling of dots in ......... 144
consecutive columns
13-2 No overlapping
dots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
13-3 Dots
do overlap ......................... 146
13
.. ,4 The seven modes for densities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
13-5 9-pin graphics
........................... 149
13-6 Printout to check
bottom pin .............. 150
13-7 Sketch of a graphic design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
xii

14-1 Logo layout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
14-2 Double-S logo
........................... 158
14-3 Analysis of a
comer of FX-80 design ........ 159
14-4 DATA for the program
................... 162
14-5
FX-80 design ............................ 163
14-6 Program for
FX-80 design ................. 164
14-7 More distinct
FX-80 ...................... 165
14-8 Most distinct
FX-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
14-9 Reversed
FX-80 .......................... 166
15-1 Using the computer as a sketch
pad ......... 168
15-2
An array in memory and on paper . . . . . . . . . . 168
15-3 Ones
and zeros become dots and no-dots .... 169
15-4 Finding a cell's label
...................... 169
15-5 Plotting a circle
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
15-6 Program
and RUN for displaying an array ... 172
15-7 Program for a circle
...................... 174
15-8
The circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
15-9 Divide
and conquer ...................... 176
15-10 Program for full-page pattern .............. 181
15-11 Full-page explosion
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
16-1
Array into design ........................ 183
16-2 Printing the contents of the
array ........... 185
16-3 Pattern sets
............................. 186
16-4 Translation of the times table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
16-5 Program for SYMMETRY
................. 189
16-6 Symmetric pattern 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
16-7 Symmetric pattern 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
16-8 Symmetric pattern 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
17-1 Sample characters
and ROM equivalents. . . . . 195
17-2 User-defined letter E
...................... 198
17-3 Incorrectly designed E
.................... 198
17-4 Use of pins chosen
by attribute byte. . . . . . . . . 200
17-5 Attribute byte conversions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
xiii

18-1 Side-by-side user-defined characters ......... 212
18-2 Double high
and wide character ............ 215
18-3 Program for large G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
18-4 Large G
................................ 218
18-5 DATA for AMES ........................ 219
18-6 Games seem same . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
18-7 Messages in three pitches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
18-8 Tracks ................................. 222
18-9 Intricate pattern
......................... 222
18-10 Phone list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
19-1 Barchart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
19-2 Statement
form. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
19-3 Program for STATEMENT ................ 231
xiv

1-1
2-1
2-2
2-3
3-1
4-1
4-2
5-1
5-2
5-3
6-1
6-2
6-3
6-4
7-1
13-1
16-1
17-1
18-1
Table of Tables
The DIP Switches ......................... .
LISTing
on Several Computers .............. .
Printer Commands on Several Computers ..... .
FX-80 Interpretation of ASCII Codes ......... .
Print Type Summary ...................... .
Summary of Modes ....................... .
Mode Priorities ........................... .
Master Select and the 256 ASCII Codes ....... .
Master Select Bits, Codes, and Modes ........ .
Master Select Quick Reference Chart ......... .
Some Special Characters ................... .
International
Characters in .................. .
Roman Typeface
International
Characters in .................. .
Italic Typeface
Switch Settings
by Country ................. .
Line-Spacing
Commands ................... .
Description
of the Seven Density Modes ...... .
Variables for SYMMETRY
Program .......... .
International
Character Internal Codes ........ .
ASCII
Pattern for Character Versions ......... .
16
22
24
26
46
53
53
61
62
66
71
73
73
74
89
148
184
208
216
xv

xvi

Introduction
So Epson has a new printer on the market!
As people develop expertise in the use of their printers, they dis-
cover new applications, and consequently demand more from their
printers.
To cope with these expanding demands, printer technology is
moving ahead at a breakneck pace; printer mechanisms are becoming
more sophisticated, and printer brains are approaching genius levels.
We
at Epson are striving to keep you one step ahead of the field so
that
you can tackle new printing jobs as fast as you can think of them.
And with the FX-80 printer, we've done just that. This printer is
packed with features just waiting for new applications.
FX-80 Features
The MX series of printers attracted enough attention to become the
most popular line ofprinters in the industry. The FX-80 printerfollows
in the same
grand tradition. Its power-packed assortment of features
includes:
• Upward compatibility with Graftrax Plus features.
• Several different print modes that can be combined to produce a
variety of print styles. These include:
Roman and italic print fonts
Six different print pitches
Two kinds of
bold printing
• Sixteen unique print mode combinations that can be selected by
number.
• Proportionally spaced characters for professional looking docu-
ments.
• Easy-to-use Underline and Super/Subscript Modes.
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• Advanced forms handling capability, including horizontal and ver-
tical tabs, margin select, skip-over-perforation,
and variable for-
ward and reverse line feeds.
• User-definable character sets. With this powerful feature you can
create
your own alphabets and special symbols.
• High-resolution graphics images with six different densities. Create
your own charts, diagrams, figures, and illustrations.
• International characters.
• Typewriter simulation mode.
• Program debugging mode (hexadecimal echo of codes received
from the computer).
• Fast print speed-160 characters per second for rapid processing of
documents.
• 2K print buffer for smoother operation.
• Epson reliability and quality.
• Built-in friction and tractor feeders with an optional tractor unit for
narrow forms.
• Disposable print head.
• Easy-to-reach switch settings to customize printer features.
In short, the
FX-80 is loaded with features that will challenge your
ability to put it to work.
What's Inside the Printer?
The FX-80 printer contains two kinds of internal memory. There is
12K (approximately 12,000 characters) of ROM (Read Only Mem-
ory). This permanent memory contains all the logic required for the
various print features as well as the patterns for the several built-in
character sets. The
FX-80 also contains 2K (about 2,000 characters) of
RAM (Random Access Memory). RAM can be used in two different
ways:
1) RAM can
be used as a memory "buffer" that stores up to 2K of
text
and printer commands as they are received from the" computer.
This frees the computer for further editing while the printer continues
printing.
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2) RAM can be used to store a complete set of user-defined charac-
ters
and symbols. Now you can create all those special symbols you
wished for
but your printer never had. .
The FX-80 is indeed a powerful printer. But do not fear. You have
your hands on an equally powerful User's Manual that will patiently
guide
you through the printer's features and warn you about pitfalls.
To appreciate what we mean by pitfalls, imagine yourself in the fol-
lowing scenario:
WELCOME TO FX-80 ADVENTURE!
YOU ARE STANDING IN THE FAMILY ROOM NEXT TO YOUR
COMPUTER DESK. THE KIDS ARE ACROSS THE ROOM PLAY-
ING A VIDEO GAME ON THE TV. ON YOUR DESK IS A LARGE
BOX WITH LETTERING.
YOUR COMMAND? read lettering
THE BOX IS LABELED "EPSON"
YOUR COMMAND? open
box
INSIDE THE BOX YOU FIND A BRAND NEW FX-80 PRINTER.
A USER'S MANUAL
FALLS TO THE FLOOR.
AN EERIE VOICE (YOUR CONSCIENCE MAYBE?) WHISPERS:
"READ THE MANUAL FIRST."
YOUR COMMAND? ignore manual; connect printer to computer
KABOOOOM! THE PRINTER EXPLODES, VAPORIZING EVERY-
THING WITHIN 5 FEET OF THE DESK. THE KIDS CONTINUE
BLASTING ALIENS ON THE TV, UNAWARE OF YOUR FATE.
YOU ARE DEAD. PLAY AGAIN?
The result is admittedly exaggerated, but the underlying message is
very clear: when all else fails, READ THE MANUAL!!
This advice
is too late for our unfortunate adventurer, but who can
blame him? It
is always tempting (though not always wise) to start
playing with a newprinter the instant it
is out of the box. The FX-80 is
an advanced printer, complete with state-of-the-art features that can
be adjusted to fit
your particular needs. So it is more important than
ever that
you fully understand what the printer will do and how to
make it do it before
you flip the KABOOM switch.
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