Re: yay! I can print!

[Alvin Oga <aoga@ns.Linux-Consulting.com>]

On Sun, 25 Jul 2004, Monique Y. Mudama wrote:

> >> Whatever.  I can print now.  I just need to figure out why firefox is
> >> printing pages such that four can fit on a sheet ... not that I mind
> >> so much, but it's curious.  A matter for another day, I suppose.
> >
> > a2ps -2 /etc/printcap		- 2 pages per paper w/ borders a2ps -4
> > /etc/printcap		- 4 pages per paper
> >
> > enscript -2r /etc/printcap	- no borders
> 
> How do I use these within Firefox?  I just get a drop-down box with a
> handful of printing options.

that's good ..

when you click "print" ... some apps will give you the print options
	sometimes -Plpr

	which you'd change to -Pencript  instead of the default lpr
	printer

and you'd define a new printer ( different printer filter rules ) in
/etc/printcap

untested /etc/printcap example below and assuming you've got the printer
connected to the local printer port

-- you want to add the new outputting rules with a new printer name

#
# New modified /etc/printcap
#
	lp|HP:\
        :lp=/dev/lp0:\
        :sd=/var/spool/lpd:\
        :sh:mx#0:\
        :if=/usr/local/sbin/printers/hplaser:\
        :lf=/var/spool/lpd/lp-log:

	#
	# notice the (of) output filter rule
	#
	encript:\
        :lp=/dev/lp0:\
        :sd=/var/spool/lpd:\
        :sh:mx#0:\
        :if=/usr/local/sbin/printers/hplaser:\
        :lf=/var/spool/lpd/lp-log:\
	:of=enscript -2r:

	#
	# notice the (of) output filter rule
	#
	a2ps:\
        :lp=/dev/lp0:\
        :sd=/var/spool/lpd:\
        :sh:mx#0:\
        :if=/usr/local/sbin/printers/hplaser:\
        :lf=/var/spool/lpd/lp-log:\
	:of=a2ps -2:

# restart your lpd daemons

# test the printer outputs

	lpr -Plpr /etc/print

	lpr -Pencript /etc/printcap
		- should output 2 pages per paper no borders

	lpr -Pa2ps /etc/printcap
		- should output 2 pagers per paper w/ borders

	mozilla -> print ->  change the printer option from -Plpr 
		to -Pencript

		- you will also need magicfilter or equiv for your 
		input filter to take postscript input and convert
		to a ( PCL ) format your printer understands
c ya
alvin