PsiFS: Getting Started

Enabling the Printer Mirror

Printer Mirror

The printer mirror is the simplest feature in PsiFS, but unfortunately it is also probably the most difficult to use.

The most important point to note is that the Psion Link Protocol is not used. Hence, the remote link must be disabled from the System screen of the SIBO or EPOC device before attempting to use the printer mirror:

  • On SIBO devices the link is disabled using the Remote Link or Communications option from the Special menu, or by pressing Psion+L or Acorn+L.
  • On EPOC devices the link is disabled using the Remote link... option from the Tools menu, or by pressing Ctrl+L.

The printer mirror simply copies data received via the serial port to another device or file; no processing of the data is performed.

Serial Configuration

Unlike the remote link, it is not possible for PsiFS to automatically identify the baud rate to use for the printer mirror. Hence, the baud rate must be manually configured. This should normally be set to the highest baud rate supported by both machines.

Enabling the Printer Mirror

Click on the PsiFS iconbar icon with Adjust, or select Printer mirror from the iconbar icon menu, to enable the printer mirror. The idle icon will be replaced by the printer mirror icon to indicate that the printer mirror is active:

By default, the printer mirror will redirect output to the currently selected RISC OS printer. It is possible to select an alternative destination, either within the configuration or from the Printer mirror sub-menu.

The printer mirror may be disabled at any time.

Printing

Once the two machines have been conected and printer mirror mode enabled, it is simply a matter of selecting the print option from a SIBO or EPOC application. However, the output must be sent via the serial port with the correct baud rate, data format and handshaking:
Data formatHandshaking
Data bits8XON/XOFFNo
Stop bits1RTS/CTSYes
ParityNoneDSR/DTRYes
Ignore parityYesDCDNo

The details for how to do this are different for SIBO and EPOC devices.

Remember that the PsiFS printer mirror simply copies data received over the serial port to the selected destination; the RISC OS printer driver is not used. Hence, it is necessary to select the appropriate printer driver on the SIBO or EPOC device for the printer being used.


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