dsc3pzp@nmrdc1.nmrdc.nnmc.navy.mil (Philip Perucci) writes:

quoted text
>Anyone out there using an HP Laserjet 4 w/Linux?  It looks
>like the best of the 600dpi for the money, but I was 
>wondering about its bi-directional parallel port.  I read
>that with DOS, there is some kind of driver that read the
>port to indicate an out-of-paper condition.

Well, given a choice I would pick the Lexmark 4039 10R.
You get 600 dpi postscript for $1350 when most LJ4's are
$1250 to $1400 and do not ship with postscript.  Thats a $500-$600
upgrade option.  The 10R comes with a serial port (38400) and 
parallel port.

We have some LJ4's at work, and I do not like the menus. 
They are hard to read and understand.  The printer does not look
very sturdy.  The addition tray (lower cassette) has many paper out
false senses.  I have spend 20 minutes trying to get it to pick a 
sheet from they try with it always saying LC TRAY EMPTY.  I would power
off.  I would do anything with no luck.

quoted text
>Just want to make sure that either the bi-directional nature
>of the port can be disabled, or that Linux does not care!
>Anyone?

I think you will be ok, if you do not try to use the bi-di stuff, you
should be ok.

Risner