Printer Configuration for lpr using Apsfilter
Printer Configuration for lpr using Apsfilter by Patrick Volkerding of Slackware
In the handy email sitting in the root Inbox after installing Slackware, Patrick Volkerding gives his preferred way for configuring a printer. Note that if you are not using Slackware, the script for loading modules will be in a different place and the process of installing the apsfilter package will be done with your package manager instead of installpkg:
“A lot of people ask me how to set up their printer under Linux. In my opinion, the best method is to set up Apsfilter, a system that allows you to print many file formats (DVI, PS, PDF, text) by just sending them to the print spooler with lpr. To set this up, do the following steps:
- Make sure you're loading the parallel driver in /etc/rc.d/rc.modules. This should be done by default.
- Install the LPD printer software. This is the “lprng” package on the A series. Odds are it's already been installed.
- You'll probably want to have the TCP/IP subsystem installed and configured (at least for loopback). The “tcpip” package is part of the N series, and the “netconfig” script is used to do a basic TCP/IP configuration.
- Apsfilter uses a variety of other filters that it expects to find installed. You'll want to install the “espgs” (Ghostscript) and “gnu-gs-fonts” packages on the AP series to add Ghostscript if you want the ability to print !PostScript documents. If you want to print DVI files, install at least the default teTeX packages from the T series.
- Install the apsfilter package. This package is part of the AP series, so if you've done a full installation then it's already installed. Otherwise, find the package in the ap directory and install it:
installpkg apsfilter-*.tgz - Change into the /usr/share/apsfilter/ directory, and run the SETUP program:
./SETUP
It'll write your /etc/printcap, and you'll be all set to start printing. Once you've got it working, you can also use netatalk and Samba to provide print services to Macs and Windows machines on the local network with your Linux box.”
Tip:Search for your printer name at http://www.linuxprinting.org to see if it is compatible with Linux and which type of drivers select (ghostscript, gimp-print, etc.).
