I agree with Ben. For the most part, you no longer need to deal with the printer's code.
I like Datamax printers. They have a number of units that directly uses the parallel port and installs like a window printer. I recommend a good bar-code font. I tried a few of the freebie fonts but they do not work well in production. Got tired of complaints from users that scan the generated labels. I found they do not scan very well under certain conditions.
I like the 3 of 9 offered by Elfring Soft Fonts
http://www.elfring.com OR http://64.21.138.30
It is not cheap but no complaints from those that scan the bar-code.
The mind frame to have is to keep it simple. It will be very easy to replace the printer down the line if you stay away from hard coding to the printer and letting window handle the printer.
Good Luck,
Manuel
Ben Johansen wrote:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]">Hi,
Do this all the time...
I have done it three ways...
1. develope the label with it's software and then your is out of the label
define in conjunction with RBase to create an new definition with the
database data and send it to the Serial Port.
2. Develope the Label Layout (with its software) and store it on the printer
then in R:Base I just say Out LPT/Serial and send the text commands to the
printer to fill in the data of the Layout.
3. Newer Printers can print right from window, so I just use a Barcode font
and lay it out in a Label (not a report)
there are free code39 barcodes TTF fonts if you need I can send them off
line
I have used Intermec and Eltron, Using Eltron more recently
Ben Johansen - http://www.pcforge.com
Authorized WiTango Reseller
http://www.pcforge.com/WiTangoGoodies.htm
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On
Behalf Of Wess Jolley
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2002 10:11 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Interfacing R:Base with thermal label printers
Hey Folks...
Has anyone out there had any experience with using R:Base to output to a
thermal label printer?
I need to use my R:Base database to generate bar code labels one or two at a
ti me. The labels need to include the bar code field from the database (I
have the bar code fonts) and a few eye readable fields from the table as
well.
I've created the label, and it prints fine on regular Avery stock. But I
need to be able to generate them just one or two at a time, on demand.
I have looked at some thermal label printers (for instance:
http://www.barcodehq.com/thermal.html), but I understand they don't print
directly from all Windows applications, using a standard print driver.
However, I remember that you used to be able to send the escape codes (using
R:Base) to the printer and control the device directly, without using a
print driver. Can that still be done?
Anyone who has any expertise in this area, your thoughts would be greatly
appreciated!
--Wess Jolley, CRM
Records Manager
Dartmouth College
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