Paul Crompton writes:

> We are starting a new application on a hp3000  and one of the requests
>  from the users is to not have to change the paper on the printer so
>  often. We are limited in the number of printers we can use by ports
>  and physical space so we are thinking about a multiform printer. The
>  problem is we are having some troubles finding one. Any experience,
>  guidance, and pitfalls would be a great help. Thanks in Advance

If I understand what you are asking for, you will almost certainly find it
easier to use some form of forms generating package on the HP3000 and simply
fill your printers with blank paper [along with purchasing additional large,
auxiliary paper drawers for your printer(s)]. The software changes the forms
in this scenario. Changing paper itself becomes a relatively rare event.

Two different sorts of forms generating packages exist on the HP3000: those
that use PCL (and generally attach the form to the spool file as a
post-processing event) and those (only one HP3000 software package, actually)
that uses PostScript and performs the integration of the data with the form
within the report writer.

The second method, PostScript, however tends to be by far the easier and more
reliable method. It is almost impossible for it to get screwed up -- and can
be transmitted readily by any transmission method (serial, lan, AppleTalk,
etc.) without being corrupted or intercepted in some manner. However, it does
require that your printers be PostScript capable, but that's not much of a
penalty nowadays (only a few hundred dollars per printer).

Regardless of which forms method you choose, you'll undoubtedly find it far
easier than using pre-printed forms.

Wirt Atmar