Strobe plotter documentation or information?

Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:06:53 +0000 From: Dave <dave.g4ugm at gmail.com<mailto:dave.g4ugm at gmail.com> To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts <cctalk at classiccmp.org<mailto:cctalk at classiccmp.org> Subject: Re: Strobe plotter documentation or information? Message-ID: <512B45CD.8090903 at gmail.com<mailto:512B45CD.8090903 at gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed On 25/02/2013 11:06, Dave wrote: Hi Dave Yes, those links were the three mentions that I had previously found (plus links to some ads in archived magazines). However, since the interface board is a S-100 bus card labeled as "Strobe 100 parallel interface" I believe the RS232 is a different option that this does not have, or the link from the plotter enclosure to the card itself is using RS232. The Burroughs document defines their graphics subroutine library and mentions that these can be used (unsupported) on the Strobe plotter, but not enough to write anything that will talk to the box. Further, they mention in appx B the configuration file that defines the format for talking to each peripheral that there is a format Strobe which is different from the HP plotter formats. The review link mentions commands, which do not sound like HPGL to me, but with only these three documents to go on, it is a grain of data and a pound of interpolation to decide what the protocol might look like. The DR Graph document mentions a unique driver for the plotter, in a long list of many different monitors, plotters and printers. All of these documents suggest to me there is a unique programmatic interface, thus I was hoping for a one in a million chance that someone has the manual or enough documented about this plotter to allow me to send it valid sequences. All mention RS232 so that may at least resolve the question of communications protocol - well documented across the three links you listed. What to send over that link is the question now. Reverse engineering may be quite challenging, but I might be able to replace the controller inside the plotter with my own controller, driving the servos and motor myself, thus free to create my own programming interface. Thank you for looking and posting the citations. Carl ________________________________ This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the person to whom it has been sent, and may contain information that is confidential or legally protected. If you are not the intended recipient or have received this message in error, you are not authorized to copy, distribute, or otherwise use this message or its attachments. Please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and permanently delete this message and any attachments. Gartner makes no warranty that this e-mail is error or virus free.