PyRetroPrint

Welcome to PyRetroPrint, your one-stop shop for Reagan-era hardcopy!

Introduction

Retro-printing emulation in python!

This utility is designed be used in a printing pipeline from obsolete software. Anything that is equipped to print to an Epson FX-80 IBM Proprinter, or HP Laserjet I or II can now use your modern CUPS-supported printer, or simply output PDF documents.

For applications that support Atari 825, FX-80 and Compatibles, you can:

• Render PRN files or streams to PDF
• Print formatted text to the terminal
• Send PDF output to networked printers
• Be used as a pipe for AtariSIO's atariserver
• Print directly from Atari 800XL to e.g. CUPS-compatible printers

Installation

PyRetroPrint can be installed using pip:

	pip install pyretroprint

For development versions (recommended):

	python3 -mvenv prptest
	cd prptest
	. bin/activate
	pip install cairo
	pip install -i https://test.pypi.org/simple/ pyretroprint

How to Use

Once the software is installed, simply pipe output of your prints to the main script:

	|pyretroprint -p pdf -o /tmp/myretroprint.pdf

--input or -i, specifies the source PRN file (defaults to stdin).

--size or -s, sets A4 or Letter sizes, defaults to A4.

--printer or -P will tell PyRetroPrint which printer type to emulate.

--presenter or -p determines which output type to use: pdf or terminal which prints formatted text to the terminal (default).

--output or -o, specifies the destination file (defaults to default.pdf for PDF, or stdout for terminal).

Philosophy

We think you should be able boot your Atari 800 XL, start AtariWriter+ and type in your document, hit print, and walk over to your networked laser printer and pick up your beautiful, monospaced hard-copy.

The same goes for your old term paper, your 80s diary, or anything else you might have on a computer or piece of software specced out before 1990.