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From: wolfgang@wsrcc.com (Wolfgang S. Rupprecht)
Newsgroups: comp.periphs.printers
Subject: Re: 4.3 BSD spooling and option lists
Message-ID: <1991Feb16.055717.2992@wsrcc.com>
Date: 16 Feb 91 05:57:17 GMT
References: <10040001@hpfcdc.HP.COM>
Organization: Wolfgang S Rupprecht Computer Consulting, Washington DC.
Lines: 30

lienhart@hpfcdc.HP.COM (Bob Lienhart) writes:
>How do 4.3 BSD spooler systems handle the concept of options to
>a print request?  For example say I have a LaserJet printer that
>is capable of printing double-sided.  How does one set up a 
>printer on a 4.3 BSD spooler system to allow the user to choose
>between single-sided and double-sided output?  Another example
>is chosing between portrait mode and landscape mode output?

Uh, a very good question.  Unfortunately I don't think you will get a
good answer.  (I would only be too pleased to have someone come up
with a better answer.)

The hack way that I have seen is by using the -P (printer) switch.
One just declares several printer names that all use different
printcap entries.  One printer (say lpr-land) can use the lanscape
filter, another printer (lpr-wide) can use the wide-font filter etc.
The possible combinations and entries are unlimited.... The "printers"
all just happen to talk to the same serial line, so all output gets to
the same printer.  The major inconvenience with this hack is that in
order to mark a single hardware-printer as up/down one has to enable
or disable zillions of software printers.

-wolfgang




-- 
Wolfgang Rupprecht    wolfgang@wsrcc.com (or) uunet!wsrcc!wolfgang
Snail Mail Address:   Box 6524, Alexandria, VA 22306-0524