More Mixing Of Modes - Epson FX-80 User Manual

More Mixing of Modes
While we're on the subject of mixing print modes, let's take a closer
look at the way the FX-80 handles several print modes at the same
time. As you probably noticed, many of the modes introduced so far
have a restricted ability to mix with other print modes. In each case
there is a good reason why two modes can't be combined.
For example, Emphasized and Proportional (both are Emphasized
print) Modes cannot be mixed with Elite or Compressed pitches. The
reason is that Emphasized characters already violate the cardinal rule
that two overlapping dots cannot be printed in the same row. In Pica
Mode at half speed, the printer can make an exception. But the dots in
Elite and Compressed characters are already so closely packed that
printing them in Emphasized print as well is not possible, even at half
speed. The print head simply cannot fire and retract the pins fast
enough at this speed.
So what does the printer do when it receives a request for two con-
flicting modes? Ignore one of them, take a vacation, or beep loudly in
disgust? The answer is: none of the above. It turns both modes "on"
internally, but-based on a factory-set priority list-selects only one
of them for printing text.
As we saw in Chapter 3 when we cancelled Elite to see Compressed
print ("Conflicting modes"), the printer remembers that a mode is on
even though it doesn't affect the current print line. For example, let's
tum on Double-Strike at the same time as we tum on Proportional.
Then we can confirm that the printer recognizes the Double-Strike
switch when Proportional is turned off.
Add lines 30 and 50, and make some changes to line 70:
3~
LPRINT CHR$(27) "G";
5~
LPRINT "WHEN PROPORTIONAL GOES"
7~
LPRINT "!!!!!!!!!!!!OFF, DOUBLE-STRIKE CAN COME
ON"
I ! I I I I
J
I
J
I
J
I
!!!!!!!!!!!!PROPORTIONAL ON
WHEN PROPORTIONAL GOES
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !OFF, DOUBLE-STRIKE CAN COME ON
52