[macunix]

in unix i just lpr the file
in MacOS9 i just drag to desktop ps printer

i don't know how to set up lpr in X, and there are no desktop printers. how do i print the .ps file?

[naepstn]

Isn't there an OSX version of GhostScript released? I would imagine (though I've never tried it) that you could access the standard Aqua "print" command from within it.

Just a thought.
Cheers!

[macunix]

Hey-lpr works fine! when you set up a lpr printer in Printcenter it gets
entered in netinfo and is automatically set up for unix. then from terminal
lpr -P(IP#) filename.ps prints the doc. I'm very happy about this!

[Frodo]

I've been trying (unsuccessfully) to coax lpr into working on my system- iMac CDRW w/ Epson Stylus 777. Printer works fine in Aqua, but lpr fails from the command line- messages tell me that the jobs are queued, but the lpd daemon cannot be started (unknown printer: lp). The lp device, in turn, is not listed in my /dev directory and hence cannot be invoked by the lpd at startup.

Does anyone have any bright ideas how to create a /dev/lp entry that will enable command line printing?

- My /etc/printcap file specifies the /dev/lp printer and the appropriate spool directory- can this be modified to point somewhere else more relevant?
- Is there a link that can be made so /dev/lp will redirect to the device driver itself (wherever it lives)?
- Anything else I'm missing here?

Thanks,

Jason

[Frodo]

I've been trying (unsuccessfully) to coax lpr into working on my system- iMac CDRW w/ Epson Stylus 777. Printer works fine in Aqua, but lpr fails from the command line- messages tell me that the jobs are queued, but the lpd daemon cannot be started (unknown printer: lp). The lp device, in turn, is not listed in my /dev directory and hence cannot be invoked by the lpd at startup.

Does anyone have any bright ideas how to create a /dev/lp entry that will enable command line printing?

- My /etc/printcap file specifies the /dev/lp printer and the appropriate spool directory- can this be modified to point somewhere else more relevant?
- Is there a link that can be made so /dev/lp will redirect to the device driver itself (wherever it lives)?
- Anything else I'm missing here?

Thanks,

Jason

[JLL]

Originally posted by macunix:
in unix i just lpr the file
in MacOS9 i just drag to desktop ps printer

i don't know how to set up lpr in X, and there are no desktop printers. how do i print the .ps file?

How about opening Print Center and double click on the printer.

A printer window opens and perhaps you can drag the PS file in there?

------------------
JLL

[macunix]

>Does anyone have any bright ideas how to create a /dev/lp entry that will
>enable command line printing?

Frodo, i don't know if you can do it with the stylus-is that a .ps printer?
like i said in #3 of this thread if you set up a 'lpr printer' in printcenter
it gets entered in netinfo and you can print to it from the command line. i don't
know where the corresponding files are, /etc/printcap says:
#....At other times this information is handled by lookupd. By default,
# lookupd gets information from NetInfo, so this file will not be consulted
# unless you have changed lookupd's configuration.

if you think it can be done, why not try via netinfo?

JLL, see #3 in the thread-cli printing is working fine.

[bleen]

Do you need a PostScript File? You can easially make a PDF in OS X, by going File->Print->Print Preview->Save as PDF.

If you need to make a PostScript file, you can get MacGS View for Mac OS X (It's on VersionTracker) open the PDF file then Export to PostScript.

[JLL]

Originally posted by macunix:
JLL, see #3 in the thread-cli printing is working fine.

My suggestion was just a more Mac like solution (if it works)

Bleen: Perhaps he got the PS files from someone?

------------------
JLL

[bleen]

MacGS View would still help

[macunix]

>My suggestion was just a more Mac like solution (if it works)?

Absolutely, a fine suggestion and i will try it.

>Bleen: Perhaps he got the PS files from someone

some of us have *lots* of .ps files. standard doc preparation for scientific
literature is laTex-> .ps files for manuscripts, uses .ps or .eps for graphics.
a total change in how i do this was not part of the X-plan

[Frodo]

Macunix-

It doesn't appear that ip printing is an option for the Epson- this is a non-PostScript printer, but should easily fall under the category of Line Printer (lp). Print Center makes the assumption that the printer itself is granted an IP address (deduction based on available ppd's in the list)- in this case, I'm trying to create a local spool folder for local jobs, and then (eventually) share that spool via SMB to the rest of our lab network.

I suppose we could tinker around in NetInfo Manager and try stuffing values in the printing services directory (/printers or /services/printer) but without a viable setup to modify, we're flying blind (*NOT* a good idea with a service like NetInfo). Just for kicks I tried putting in the IP of this system and created an LPR printer for Print Center, but to no avail - the job simply sat spooled at var/spool/lpd/10.13.1.18.

Anything else to try?

Frodo