Synapse EMR supports PostScript for printing prescriptions, graphs, the superbill, and some requests. More templates for printing other forms are being developed. The advantage of using PostScript is that Synapse EMR can display them nativey, and does not use PDF for printing. This also means that the LaTeX ( MiKTeX ) is not invoked for these PS templates, and so printing is much faster. Most PostScript printers are either attached to the network, or are attached to the PC via the parallel printer port. These settings can be configured in the Settings tab. Many of the more inexpensive HP Laserjets, or multi-function devices such as the HP Laserjet 3015, that are used as personal printers, have PostScript emulation. However, they are usually only USB printers, and lack network ports. One way that this can be rectified so that they can be used with Synapse's PostScript support is by attaching a HP Jetdirect print server. These can often be purchased cheaply on EBay.com, and turn the printer into a network printer. Another way though uses a printer sharing trick that works with Windows. This trick has been tested with a number of printers. Install the printer as usual With Administrative privileges, share the printer. In the Windows Control Panel, open up the installed printers, and right click on the printer to share. Share the printer with a name that does not have a space. So, for example, share the HP Laserjet 3015 as HP3015 From the command prompt, redirect the LPT1: to the shared printer net use LPT1 \\mycomputername\HP3015 /persistent:yes This now means that any printer output sent to LPT1: is directed to the USB printer that you have shared. To test this, at the command line, type dir > lpt1: and the directory listing will appear on the printer if all is well. With respect to Synapse, you can now when viewing a superbill print preview, use the LPT1: button to print. NB: Additional notes To get to the command prompt, from the Windows Start Menu, select "Run", and then enter cmd. Click on "OK". To make this command stick between rebooting your PC, you will have to add this command to your autoexec.nt file. from the Windows Start Menu, select "Run", and then enter autoexec.nt. Click on "OK". Use Notepad to edit the file and add the line net use LPT1 \\mycomputername\HP3015 /persistent:yes to the bottom of the file. Save it. If you want to use a colleague's printer which has been shared in this way, and you are both on the same network, then at the command prompt, type net view \\otherpcname This will tell you what the share name of the printer is, and you should use this name net use lpt1 \\otherpcname\printersharename /persistent:yes
