Baslinux mailing list

["Ron Clarke" <ariadne AT acepia.net.au>]

Hi Steven,

On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 16:00:13 +1300, 3aoo-cvfd AT dea.spamcon.org wrote:

> To test that lpd is working (before worrying about the
> filtering), output a text file and see if it prints
> (I assume your printer can print straight text?).

   Well, it can in DOS.  :)

> -------------------
> lpr /etc/login.defs
> -------------------

  Nothing printed.

> If nothing prints, do the following:  lpq

  Nothing listed as queued.


> Ghostscript formats the output, so it is ghostscript
> that needs the choices.  Do the following to see what
> choices there are in ghostscript:
> ---------
> gs --help
> ---------

   Yep.  About three possibilities. deskjet  djet500  djet500c


> Looks like deskjet or djet500 could be OK.  I assume your
> 600 is compatible with 500 codes? 

    Yes, or at least good enough. I use an HPDJ550, HPDJ500 or HPDJPLUS
as drivers under DOS.


> Make a /var/spool/lpd/postscript directory.  In that directory,
> you put your filter script (in a file called deskjet.filter).
> The filter will look something like this:
> '     -------------------------------------------------
> '     #!/bin/sh
> '     /usr/bin/gs -q -dSAFER -sDEVICE=deskjet -r180x180
> '                 -sPAPERSIZE=letter -sOutputFile=- -
> '     -------------------------------------------------
> All of those parameters should go in one line (I split the
> line to avoid a random wrap).  You may also want to change
> the resolution (180x180) and the papersize (letter).  Also,
> if you decide to use a different filter, change (deskjet).

   Tried also -sPAPERSIZE as a4, and each of the -sDEVICE
"possibilities".

> Make sure your file script is executable (chmod).

  Did that.

>  Now you
> need to tell /etc/printcap about this filter.
> -------------------------------------------------------
> lp|ps|PS|PostScript:sh:mx#0:\
>    :lp=/dev/lp0:\
>    :sd=/var/spool/lpd/postscript:\
>    :if=/var/spool/lpd/postscript/deskjet.filter:\
> --------------------------------------------------------
> Make sure there are no # in front of those lines (and all
> other lines in printcap do have a #). 

    Copied exactly.

> You should also
> check that your printer actually comes up as lp0 (when
> you do all those insmods).  If not, change the lp0 to lp1
> (or whatever comes up).

   It is lp0

> Have fun.  You'll be bloody lucky if this works first time.

   You got that right.    :(

   On: lpr /usr/login.defs
and any other stuff of a similar nature, all I have ever gotten was:

   lpr: lp: unknown printer

   (Bugger, bugger, bugger ! )

BTW: In /user/bin/gsdj500 there is a similar script as in what you have
suggested for deskjet.filter.  Could I redirect through this instead from
printcap ?   Or is there some falure of gs to recognise that it actually
knows about devices like deskjet ?

Regards,
        Ron



time!
Ron Clarke
AUSREG Consultancy http://www.valylink.net.au/~ausreg/index.html
Tadpole Tunes      http://tadpole.mytunebook.de/
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