Fermi Linux 6.1.x How-To - Using Printers

Using printers in Fermi Linux 6.1.x is somewhat like a cross between traditional UNIX and Windows.  You still need to setup printers in the UNIX way, but once they are setup you can then use them both in the traditional UNIX way, or purely graphical.

Many people at Fermilab had said that KDE and Gnome doesn't support flpr, but they are only partially right.  It is true that the graphical file browser (kfmclient) uses only the graphical way to print, but that is what it was designed to do, be completely graphical.  Yet if you open kedit, you are able to print by typing in a print command (ie: flpr -q fcc2w_ps).  It all depends on how a program was written, if it was written to only use graphical, then you cannot use flpr, if it was written to allow print commands to be typed in, then you can.

Since more and more programs are being written to use only graphical print commands, then workers at Fermilab are going to have to learn how to print to that printer sitting down the hall, or across the lab.  Though this isn't as flexible as flpr, it does work graphically, and it is easy to set up.

Setting Up Printers

How to setup a remote printer that you usually access via flpr.  Setting up a local printer (one physically attached to your computer) isn't too much different, but that isn't what this page is for.
  1. (As root) Start printtool - /usr/bin/printtool
  2. Click 'Ignore' to warning messages telling you about Samba not running and/or not being able to access NetWare printers.
  3. Add a Printer
  4. Click  'Add'
  5. Select 'Remote Unix (lpd) queue' (see below)
  6. Click 'OK'
  7. Fill in the printer information
    1. Names - name and/or alias for this printer, and it's local queue - this can be whatever you want to call this.
    2. Spool Directory - Where the local spool queue will be - If you fill in the Names section first and hit Return or Tab, this section will automatically be filled in.
    3. File Limit - 0, which is no limit, is fine
    4. Remote Host - The remote print server - fnprt.fnal.gov
    5. Remote Queue - the flpr queue name
    6. Input Filter - Click 'Select'
      1. Printer Type - PostScript printer - all flpr printers are capable of postscript as far as I know.
      2. Resolution - 600 x 600 - take a guess at this one
      3. Don't mess with anything else unless you are having printing problems.
    7. Supress Headers - This does NOT keep the remote print server (fnprt.fnal.gov) from putting headers on your printouts.  It only keeps your machine from putting headers on the printouts.
  8. Click 'OK'
  9. Restart lpd by using the menu  'lpd - Restart lpd'

    10. 5. Select Remote Printer

    7. Fill in printer information

KDE Specific Printing Tricks

Drag N Drop Printing

There are two ways to do drag and drop printing, that I know of. It's possible there are more. Whichever way you do it is up to you. For want of better names, I'll say they are 'Traditional Drag N Drop' and 'FLPR Drag N Drop'

Traditional Drag N Drop Printing

  1. Setup your printer(s) using the above procedures.
  2. Open klpq (Click on the printer icon, or use the menu KMenu - Utilities - Printer Queue, or run the command klpq)
  3. Open your graphical file manager (kfmclient)
  4. Drag and drop whatever files you want printed onto klpq (see below)

3. Drag N Drop files

FLPR Drag N Drop Printing

  1. Create a flpr printer icon (see below)
      2. A seperate icon must be made for each printer
    1. Right-Click on the mouse, select 'New' 'Application'
    2. Name the icon. (You must leave the .kdelnk on the name)
    3. Put your flpr line into the Execute area.
  2. (Optional) Drag N Drop the icon on the panel
  3. Drag N Drop your files to the icon on either the desktop, or panel

1-1, 1-2, 1-3 Create An FLPR Printer Icon

2.(Optional) Drag N Drop the icon on the panel

3. Drag N Drop your files to the icon on either the desktop, or panel


dawson@fnal.gov
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October 11, 2000