I can remember this from when I had a DMP — it's why I gave up on it. Linux generally works on the theory that you have a graphics printer: it used to generate postscript files for the printer and now often generates PDFs instead. The give-away in your printer configuration is "grayscale" — text obviously wouldn't be described this way. That's why everything is so slow. Incidentally, are you sure about the model? The TM series are small point-of-sale models.

As has been said, you can send text files directly to a printer by using lpr with unformated output sent to the port /dev/parport0 or /dev/lp0.

That is an old model from circa 2009 that dates back to when Epson was known for lack of Linux support,

Epson does supply a Linux driver for the TM series, but that particular model is not in the list of supported models.

PS - As best as I can make out from the photo, the output is coming from a banner page in CUPS. The text seems to be properly formed.

There is a way, when setting up cups create a printer by trying the following.

Set "make" = raw in "Add Printer",this works great for my Dot Matrix FX-100.

I saved the screen prints and can attach them in a new post if people want them.


IGNORE BELOW, miss-read OP text

Here is what you can do, you need enscript(1) and ps2pdf(1):

HTH
John

Thank you, nrturn,

I tried writing in dosemu.conf both:

and
but they didn't produce anything.


And thank you, michaelk,

For the information. I note that "ppdc - cups ppd compiler (deprecated)," so I suspect that you are right about Michael Sweet having had a falling out with the Apple people, and I imagine that trying to work with the raster filter will be unsuccessful.

Thank jmccue, John, for the suggestion,

But when I try to
I can't find "raw" as a choice either in http://localhost:631/ or with the "localhost" "+ Add" function.


Also, thank you, DavidMcCann,

My printer is a receipt printer. And I do have my "Generic Text-Only Printer" set as "Device URI" "parallel:/dev/lp0"

A raw printer does not change the source just not go through a filter so the output will be the same.

Did you ever try printing the file via cat file_name > /dev/lp0?

Hello, michaelk,
I printed out a simple text file with no line over about 30 words with the cat command as you suggested. The result was the same, herky-jerky, slow printing.
Mysterious.
Wayne

At least was the output readable? I did not expect slow printing.

I had a thought using a custom back end would work but maybe not.

I didn't think of using cat, but that really should have worked as it didn't give the computer any opportunity to alter the file. I suspect the explanation here is hardware, not software. Either the parallel port has developed a fault or, far more likely, the printer has reached its use-by date.

Hello, michaelk and DavidMcCann,
Thank you for your input. As to David's comment, just above, I've had this same printing problem on two different computers with at least three Epson receipt printers of two different, but similar, types. I'm wondering if, within the context of a possible dispute between Michael Sweet and the Apple CUPS people, perhaps, there isn't a fully implemented means to use a parallel printer on a Linux machine. Of course, what both of my computers also had in common was that they were 32-bit machines running dBase on dosemu. And all the printers were Epson impact receipt printers.

I had a HP LaserJet 4 printer connected via a parallel port for around 15 years that worked perfectly with linux until it died but that was back in ancient times. I have been using printers with network interfaces ever since.

You did not post if you are using a USB adapter or a true hardware port but hard to determine where the problem lies. I was expecting the printer to be just Espon ESC/P printer language compatible which should not be a problem with using cat. Basically just sending characters to the printer just like DOS would. Make sure there are no zombie process still wanting to use the printer or parallel port.

As aside note I prefer using FreeDOS via VirtualBox versus DOSemu for running legacy DOS programs like dBase but I had a few minor problems with its latest version. No virtual parallel port interface but I created a suitable network hack to send printer output.

Go to any web page and try cntrl P on the keyboard. It'll likely show your printer or offer print to pdf.

If there is no printer regroup to a "software center" of the distro and "install printer"Most distros simply unplug your printer and replug while the machine is running and it "might" say" x______ printer plugged in and maybe ask to install it.

Hello, again,
I guess I'll give up for now on connecting my dosemu driven dBase application to a parallel printer. I can't seem to find very complete documentation on line. Could someone tell me what would be the line (presumably in dosemu.conf) to direct my dBase output to my "Canon_MG2100_series" printer? This printer works properly on my Linux Mint machine.
Thank you,
Wayne

If your Cannon printer's print queue name is Canon_MG2100_series then try:

The -l is raw printing mode option. Try it both ways and see what happens.

Thank you, michaelk,
I'll do that right now.
Wayne