| DASHER LP2 PRINTER |
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Introduction
This printer came with the first system that I picked up, the NOVA 3. The pedestal of the printer is typical for the aesthetic looks of the old Data General equipment. In fact, in my personal opinion, "back then" the manufacturers had eye for design. Modern computers lack design, they are just functional boxes without any imagination for "personality". Perhaps that is one of the reasons that old computers generate so much attraction. And the typical colors, blue for Data General equipment, certainly add to "personality".
The printer exists in two models. The one I have is the Dasher LP2 (Line Printer) "printer-only" model, because it has no keyboard. The other version includes a keyboard, which makes it a "printer console", Dasher TP2 (Terminal Printer). I do not know whether the keyboard was also available as an "upgrade option" to convert a line-printer version to a terminal-printer.
Both LP2 and TP2 were designed and built by Data General. They are similar in design to the DEC LA36 series. Most common is the "classic" Data General blue paint scheme, but the later ones sometimes had an "earthtone" (brown) color that matched the DG MV rack scheme of the 1980's. The LP2/TP2 prints the standard ASCII character set but has extended features that allow downloading programmer-created character sets and plotting functions.
Hidden in its pedestal base is a microNova that controls the printer/terminal.
The LP2/TP2 could have a serial, parallel or 20 mA current loop interface.
Description
The LP2
The printer has the following connections at the rear side.
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