----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I need a recommendation for a cheap color printer. In the immediate future, we will NOT have any bureaucratic or mechanical or electronic system in place to accept money for prints, so we must use something that allows us to economically give away maps. This means letter or legal size (maybe ledger). Although we have desktop mapping programs (MapInfo & ArcView), these are used mostly to make page sized maps to illustrate a paper or thesis (as opposed to using the mapping software as an integral part of the research). GIS research is done elsewhere on campus, where they have larger format printers and plotters. People might also want printouts from electronic atlas products like Street Atlas USA. I was thinking of just a consumer model HP inkjet printer (we currently have an antique HP PaintJet XL300, but new models are faster and better quality). Seems that a decent one is easy to find for <$500. Anyone have a specific model suggestion? (from any manufacturer) Low maintenance (i.e., cheap ink, no jamming, etc.) is desired. Also, I heard that Tektronix gives several of their printers each year to universities, who must "apply" for them (justify the need). These are high-end solid color printers (involve melting wax which is then jetted) used in graphics production environments. Very high resolution, look of a photographic print. Still, most are page size. List for many thousands of dollars. I suspect that they cost a lot to maintain. Anyone know more? I'm not sure that I want to make it too easy or have printouts too nice, since it might entice too many patrons to get too many printouts, and I hesitate to get into a maintenance and cost hassle when a DeskJet is just 2 or 300 dollars. thanks, Mark ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Mark Thomas / Public Documents & Maps / Perkins Library Duke University / Durham, NC 27708-0177 [log in to unmask] / voice: 919-660-5853 / FAX: 919-684-2855 The train ... traditional, yet environmentally sound. --Lisa Simpson