SynapseDirect

Build 177 of the Synapse EMR client now implements direct PostScript support for printing letters, requests, and charts.  If you don't have a PostScript printer - read on!  If you don't even know what a PostScript printer is, read here.

What is direct PostScript?
Direct PostScript is when PostScript print commands are sent directly to the PostScript printer, which is either attached directly to the PC, or on a print server on the local network.  It differs from printing to a PostScript printer in Windows using the printer drivers as it bypasses the Windows printing system.  This means that the target printer, if on the network, does not need to be installed as a printer.  The advantage of this is increased speed.

Aren't PostScript Printers More Expensive?
This is usually true because the printer manufacturer have had to license the PostScript interpreter from Adobe.  However, most major printer manufacturers now have their own emulations.  For instance, many of Hewlett Packard's inexpensive AIO printer/fax/scanner devices have PostScript emulation. You do need to make sure that the printer emulates at least Level 2 PostScript.  Some Brother laser printers have BrScript 3 which is said to be a Level 3 emulation.

How do I setup the PostScript Printer?
If the printer is on the network, you need to find it's network address.  Often, doing a test print from the printer will give you that information.  If it's attached by an external HP JetDirect print server, pressing the test button on the print server will print the settings to the attached printer.  If the network printer is already set up on the network, it will be using a custom port, and examining the printer settings in the Windows printer control panel will tell you what network address is being used.

You then need to put this IP address in the Settings/PostScript/Network Printer Address field.  Put "9100" in the Network Printer Port field.  These settings will now appear in the printer dialogs each time you want to print.

I have a PostScript Printer connected by the parallel port.
In that case, just tick the lpt1: box in the printer dialog when printing.

I have a PostScript Printer attached by a USB port.
Here are some instructions for using these with Synapse.  The simpler method is to buy a USB HP JetDirect print server on eBay, but if you use these with a multifunction device, more likely you will lose the ability to scan/fax etc. 

Advantages over LaTeX and PDF
Up to now, Synapse EMR has used MikTeX (LaTex) to generate PDFs for printing.  But there was an occasional problem when Adobe Acrobat would print the wrong PDF - ie. not the one being viewed.  Also, occasionally Synapse EMR would create some LaTeX which MikTeX flagged as an error.  Nothing appeared to happen, but hidden behind Synapse EMR would be a DOS box with MikTeX asking for some input.  However, 99% of the time LaTeX printing works and creates professional output, but will always be slower than direct PostScript printing because it has to generate PDFs first.

I don't have a PostScript Printer or I want print preview.
As mentioned above, you may have a PostScript printer if you have purchased Hewlett Packard laser printers.  Also, refurbished PostScript printers can be purchased inexpensively from eBay.  Make sure that they have network ports, or JetDirect print servers installed, if possible.  You may leave questions on our board here about this.

Another alternative is to install a PostScript viewer, and print to a Windows printer from there.  Hitherto we have suggested using the free RoPS viewer.  However, this is only a Level 1 interpreter, and it seems unable to preview the new documents created by Synapse.

The choices are to install the RoPS 6.5 commercial level 2 PostScript viewer ( currently untested but has a 21 day evaluation ) which costs US$49, or to install GSView. The latter also requires that you install GhostScript.  GSView has a nag screen to register which costs US$30.  Installing GhostScript means that you can also use PDF Creator which allows you to create searchable PDFs.

How do I print?
In the new print dialogs there are two choices - "PSPreview" which invokes the installed PostScript viewer ( Settings/PostScript/PostScript Viewer ) on the output, and "PS" or "PS Print" which sends the output directly to the PostScript printer.  If you don't have one setup, it will try and send it to the viewer instead.

Links:
Ghostscript
GSView