How do I share a StyleWriter or StyleWriter II over a network? How do I print to a shared StyleWriter or StyleWriter II?

Overview

Using the StyleWriter II printer driver (which includes GrayShare), you can share your StyleWriter or StyleWriter II with up to 21 additional computers over an AppleTalk network. There is no limit on how many people choose the printer in the Chooser, but only 21 people can print to the printer at a time. Anyone who wants to print to the shared printer needs to install the StyleWriter II printer driver. In order to print to a networked printer from a Macintosh using System 6, you must have System 6.0.7 or 6.0.8 installed, and use MultiFinder.

You still retain control of the printer after sharing it because the StyleWriter is connected to your computer. You can turn sharing on or off at any time. You can also use the Print Monitor program to view a list of pending print jobs and delete any jobs from that list.

Note: The Macintosh connected to the shared printer slows down when other users print to the shared printer because your computer is actually being used as a spooler. The information is sent from the remote computer to yours, then from your computer to the printer.

The StyleWriter printer can only use GrayShare if you use the StyleWriter II software instead of the original StyleWriter software. A GrayShare update disk is available through online services Apple publishes software updates on.

Sharing a Printer

To share a StyleWriter or StyleWriter II with others, follow these steps:

1. In order to share a printer, you must be connected to an AppleTalk network of some type.

LocalTalk Connection
The LocalTalk connector goes into the printer port. The peripheral 8 cable (serial cable) connects the printer to the Macintosh. It needs to go into the modem port.

Ethernet or Token Ring Connection
Since both Ethernet and Token Ring connections don't require you to use a serial port on your Macintosh, you can use either the printer or modem port to connect the printer to your Macintosh.

2. Open the Chooser and select the StyleWriter II icon. A list of available printers displays.

3. Click the icon of the port to which your printer is connected. If you are using the printer port to connect your Macintosh to the network, you must connect your StyleWriter or StyleWriter II to the modem port.

4. Click the Setup button to open the StyleWriter II Sharing Setup dialog box.

5. Place an X in the "Share this Printer" checkbox. You have the option of naming your printer and entering a password. If you type a password for the printer, only users who know the password can use the printer from their computers.

If you want a record of what is printed on your printer, place an X in the "Keep Log of Printer Usage" checkbox.

6. Click "OK" to close the StyleWriter II Sharing Setup dialog box and close the Chooser window.

Printing to a Shared Printer

To print to a shared printer, follow these steps:

1. Open the Chooser and select the StyleWriter II icon. A list of available printers and communications ports will be displayed.

2. Click the name of the shared printer that you want to use. If the printer requires a password, a dialog box appears in which you must type the password.

3. Optionally, you may click the Get Info button to see whether any fonts in your system are unavailable on the shared printer. If your documents contain such fonts, printing will be slower, because the fonts must be downloaded to the printer.

4. Close the Chooser