[olug] USB Printers and Ethernet Connections

[Thomas D. Williamson]

MICR inks and toners have a higher ferrous or other magnetically readable
material for the new Check21 readers to use. This is a move from an optical
type of reader to a magnetic head to read the check imprint on the bottom of
the check. The ability to electronically read the check is a key to the
processing the check in less than 12 hours. (Actually that is an advantage to
not using MICR ink or toner, the check has to be hand entered at some point and
this delays the check for a short time so there is a longer "float," but I
expect that these checks may be rejected for not meeting the new standard at
some point.)

I had seen a small "translator" for ethernet and USB. It had one USB port and
one Ethernet port. The price I recall was under $50. I look at Tiger Direct a
lot and this may have been from there. Its intention was to allow machines with
ethernet only ports to access other systems that are using USB for networking.

The printer from Electronic Recylers with the NIC in it sounds like a pretty
good deal as well. I might use that one for daily stuff and my other laser for
the checks (the toner there even in the MICR type would be less).

Thanks for the suggestions,

Tom Williamson

Quoting Rob Townley <rob.townley at gmail.com>:

> I am not sure exactly what you looking to do, but it must involve
> printing to a USB printer over IP at some point.  By buying a
> printserver appliance, you would not need a linux printserver as well
> except for printing pdfs.
> 
> Some inkjets/all-in-ones have built in RJ-45 networking means you have
> fewer cables and power needs.    Electronic Recyclers (402-408-0053) 
> usually has HPLJs with JetDirect for ~$40.00. But what is MICR
> appropriate ink?
> 
> I know I was planning on purchasing a HawkingTech.com Firewall
> Printserver, but held back when many customers complained it did not
> work with many HP inkjets.  I am sure you would have better luck with
> other brands however.
> 
> The AnywhereUSB device bridges IP and USB, but its price ($450.00 ?
> MSRP  ~$230.00 froogle)  would mean you could buy a new laser printer
> with jetdirect for less.
> http://www.digi.com/products/usb/anywhereusb.jsp 
> 
> 
> On Mon, 27 Dec 2004 11:32:38 -0600, Thomas D. Williamson
> <twilliam at inebraska.com> wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > Since the Check21 system has been implemented, I am now looking to my
> print
> > checks on inkjet printer with MICR appropriate ink. I don't see getting a
> toner
> > of it for my laser printer worthwhile as it is used for all my other
> printing.
> > Many of the lower cost inkjets are USB only which would work out okay, but
> I
> > was wondering about using part of a firewall box as print server too. Can
> this
> > be done using a USB to ethernet connector with a Linux box acting as the
> print
> > server?
> > 
> > Tom Williamson
> > _______________________________________________
> > OLUG mailing list
> > OLUG at olug.org
> > http://lists.olug.org/mailman/listinfo/olug
> >
> _______________________________________________
> OLUG mailing list
> OLUG at olug.org
> http://lists.olug.org/mailman/listinfo/olug
>