Digital BW, The Print

Sanfo2003:  Thanks (I think) as I was about to do the same -with the same;
but, I do have some questions:  Was your W98 an "upgrade from W95  or an
OEM.  I have a new install W98SE.  Some of my other equipment (scanners) is
older and I did not want to fight the updated driver search issue.
DPR forum has some happy (neutral/B-W) users so I would have thought "it"
possible but esoteric.
Which papers did you profile via the EyeOne Pro Gretag-MacBeth
equipment/software?
Would it make sense to have a second computer  (Windows XP)  dedicated  to
the printer?
I don't have a sense of a work load distribution when one has two computers.
I have an upgraded but older computer in a network.  It is to do scanning,
but I wonder if it should also do the printing if it takes 15 -20 minutes to
make a single print.  The main computer  then would be for PS and image
manipulation.  I sure would not want interrupts while scanning or
rinting.  -winddancing

My Windows 98 was OEM upgraded to 98SE and my computer is a Dell 
running a Pentium 3 at 800 MHz. I've profiled all the Epson papers 
except velvet. I've found printing with Epson pigment ink on glossy 
paper to be unacceptable because the ink is glossier than the paper 
resulting in a distracting variance in surface reflection from light 
to dark tones. Color results have been nothing short of fantastic, 
however, on matte and luster papers where surface reflectance is not 
such a factor. But greyscale printing is another story -- its just 
totally unacceptable on all the papers I've profiled. I'm getting 
awful hue shifting across tones with gross metamerism. The cause, in 
my opinion, is that the Epson 2200 driver is not up to the task of 
printing a neutral greyscale. I've contacted Epson America and 
politely let them know my dissatisfaction with their driver. BTW, I 
tried the Epson GreyBalancer downloaded from the Epson France site 
and found it WAY more effort than what its worth and the results are 
still unacceptable. Again in my opinion, Epson simply needs to 
upgrade the driver for the 2200 and make it available on their 
website.

As far as a second dedicated computer goes, that's your call. The 
additional desk/shelf/floor space required, maintenance, upkeep, 
finances and the overall hassle factor would be primary 
considerations for me.