[Caesar2099]

Back in the days of OS 9 you used to be able to print directly from the desktop. All you had to do was drag a file to a printer.

I've seen others replicate this in OS X with an alias. However, I tried that and when the file is dragged it doesn't print, it just opens up the printer utility and the default application of the document. So my question is, what would be the best way to recreate this feature?

I tried fiddling with automator, but it won't seem to work, although I was able to create a nifty "Add to Favorites" application for my desktop (it creates an alias of a dragged file/folder into my "favorites").

[Peter]

its in OS X
http://www.techpwn.com/?p=253

1. Open up System Preferences and choose “Print and Fax”.

2. Select the printer you use and then click the “Printer Setup” button.

3. When the printer info comes up, press Command (Apple key) + L and the Printer List window will come up.

4. Highlight (click on) your printer in the Printer List that you brought up by hitting Command + L and then in the MenuBar (up top), click “Printers” and then click “Create Desktop Printer”.

5. A window will open asking you where you’d like to save it. The best place would be your Desktop, as this will make the tip the most handy.

6. To print a document, just drag and drop any file you’d like to print onto your new desktop printer icon.

[peeb]

Right click on the file, and select print?

[Peter]

that'll open the file and then print it i think, desktop printers just print it

[red rocket]

You can keep Printer Setup Utility in the Dock and drag your files onto its icon. It'll start printing immediately, at least it does for me.

[james02]

It can be annoying when you know what document or file you want to print, but first you have to launch the file’s program, then you have to go to the print options, and then finally, you get to print it. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the ability to print documents without having to go through this process. Ok, it isn’t THAT big of a deal, but life on the computer is all about convenience.



-------------------------------
postcards printing

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by james02 

It can be annoying when you know what document or file you want to print, but first you have to launch the file’s program, then you have to go to the print options, and then finally, you get to print it. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the ability to print documents without having to go through this process. Ok, it isn’t THAT big of a deal, but life on the computer is all about convenience.

That's exactly what a desktop printer does.