How to configure CUPS

[VJ]

Hi,
    May be I am half brain-dead and I cannot figure out where to start. In FC2, I remember it used be called cupsd-conf or something line that. How do I configure cups in FC3? I am trying to use cups-pdf but cannot add a new printer until I can configure cups. I am using gnome.

Regards from
VJ

[Gregory P. Ennis]

VJ wrote:
> Hi,
>     May be I am half brain-dead and I cannot figure out where to start. 
> In FC2, I remember it used be called cupsd-conf or something line that. 
> How do I configure cups in FC3? I am trying to use cups-pdf but cannot 
> add a new printer until I can configure cups. I am using gnome.
>
> Regards from
> VJ

System Settings -> Printers

Good Luck!

[VJ]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gregory P. Ennis" 
To: "For users of Fedora Core releases" 
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 12:20 AM
Subject: Re: How to configure CUPS
> VJ wrote:
> > Hi,
> >     May be I am half brain-dead and I cannot figure out where to start. 
> > In FC2, I remember it used be called cupsd-conf or something line that. 
> > How do I configure cups in FC3? I am trying to use cups-pdf but cannot 
> > add a new printer until I can configure cups. I am using gnome.
> >  Regards from
> > VJ
>
> System Settings -> Printers
>
> Good Luck!
>
> -- 
> fedora-list mailing list
> [e-mail]
> To unsubscribe: http://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/fedora-list

I had seen "System Settings -> Printing" but it is not related to cups at 
all.

VJ

[Alexander Dalloz]

Am Sa, den 27.11.2004 schrieb VJ um 1:25:
> I had seen "System Settings -> Printing" but it is not related to cups at 
> all.
>
> VJ

You think so? Or did you already tried the tool? If I were you, I would
use it :)

Alexander

[VJ]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alexander Dalloz" 
To: "For users of Fedora Core releases" 
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 12:39 AM
Subject: Re: How to configure CUPS
> -- 
> fedora-list mailing list
> [e-mail]
> To unsubscribe: http://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/fedora-list

He he he. This proves I am more than half brain dead :)

I used it once and the moment it tried asking about the devices (printer, 
jetdirect etc. ) I thought I was doing something stupid. I tried and it 
worked.

My apologies to all whom I offended.

VJ

[Rahul Sundaram]

Hi
> He he he. This proves I am more than half brain dead :)

not really. pdf files as virtual print devices isnt a concept that
should directly exposed to users as such. it would probably be a good
idea to rethink how it can be made more intuitive. if you guys have
any bright ideas we can file a RFE

[VJ]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rahul Sundaram" 
To: "For users of Fedora Core releases" 
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 1:05 AM
Subject: Re: How to configure CUPS
> Hi
> > He he he. This proves I am more than half brain dead :)
>
> not really. pdf files as virtual print devices isnt a concept that
> should directly exposed to users as such. it would probably be a good
> idea to rethink how it can be made more intuitive. if you guys have
> any bright ideas we can file a RFE
>
> -- 
> Regards,
> Rahul Sundaram
>
> -- 
> fedora-list mailing list
> [e-mail]
> To unsubscribe: http://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/fedora-list

I do not see any reason to not to expose this functionality to users. 
Actually this is my requirement in my company. We have to save all final 
documents in PDF files before sending to clients.

I think it is better to put this functionality in, and let the 
user(administrator) decide whether normal users should get this 
functionality or not.

VJ

[David Liguori]

> Hi
> > He he he. This proves I am more than half brain dead :)
>
> not really. pdf files as virtual print devices isnt a concept that
> should directly exposed to users as such. it would probably be a good
> idea to rethink how it can be made more intuitive. if you guys have
> any bright ideas we can file a RFE
>
> --
> Regards,
> Rahul Sundaram

For me save as a postscript file and then "ps2pdf" always worked whenever
I needed to do this.  I use a postscript printer, though.

[Jay Moore]

On Fri, 2004-11-26 at 18:53, VJ wrote:
> He he he. This proves I am more than half brain dead :)
>
> I used it once and the moment it tried asking about the devices (printer, 
> jetdirect etc. ) I thought I was doing something stupid. I tried and it 
> worked.

Hmmm... guess I'm super-dense, but I can't see how to do this, even
after the benefit of your mistake.

I start the app (System Settings-> Printing), select "New", and get to
the point where I'm asked to select printer mfr. and model. I expected
to find a "Print to PDF" item in the list, but there is  no such item!
Where did I fall off the boat?

Another thing that confuses me: When I select Preferences->Printing
Manager, the list presented includes "Print to File (PDF)".

I'm sure this all makes perfect sense somehow, but I am struggling to
see how this fits together... can someone enlighten me?

Thnx,
Jay

[VJ]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jay Moore" 
To: "For users of Fedora Core releases" 
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 2:56 PM
Subject: Re: How to configure CUPS
> On Fri, 2004-11-26 at 18:53, VJ wrote:
> > He he he. This proves I am more than half brain dead :)
> >
> > I used it once and the moment it tried asking about the devices (printer,
> > jetdirect etc. ) I thought I was doing something stupid. I tried and it
> > worked.
>
> Hmmm... guess I'm super-dense, but I can't see how to do this, even
> after the benefit of your mistake.
>
> I start the app (System Settings-> Printing), select "New", and get to
> the point where I'm asked to select printer mfr. and model. I expected
> to find a "Print to PDF" item in the list, but there is  no such item!
> Where did I fall off the boat?
>
> Another thing that confuses me: When I select Preferences->Printing
> Manager, the list presented includes "Print to File (PDF)".
>
> I'm sure this all makes perfect sense somehow, but I am struggling to
> see how this fits together... can someone enlighten me?
>
> Thnx,
> Jay
>
> -- 
> fedora-list mailing list
> [e-mail]
> To unsubscribe: http://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/fedora-list

After a good night sleep, I think I can help now :)
start your cups and cups-config-daemon services (and also enable then using 
ntsysv so that they come up after next reboot also). run lynx 
http://localhost:631
i.e. connect localhost on port 631 where cups provides web based 
administration. Look for manage printers and since there are no existing 
printers, you will have to add one. Adda printer calls cups-pdf and then 
when you move ahead by clicking on continue, you will be presented by list 
of printers, this is where you will find Virtual PDF printer thingy.

HTH.

VJ

[Jay Moore]

On Sat, 2004-11-27 at 09:08, VJ wrote:
> > I start the app (System Settings-> Printing), select "New", and get to
> > the point where I'm asked to select printer mfr. and model. I expected
> > to find a "Print to PDF" item in the list, but there is  no such item!
> > Where did I fall off the boat?
> >
> > Another thing that confuses me: When I select Preferences->Printing
> > Manager, the list presented includes "Print to File (PDF)".
> >
> > I'm sure this all makes perfect sense somehow, but I am struggling to
> > see how this fits together... can someone enlighten me?
> >
> > Thnx,
> After a good night sleep, I think I can help now :)
> start your cups and cups-config-daemon services (and also enable then using 
> ntsysv so that they come up after next reboot also). run lynx 
> http://localhost:631
> i.e. connect localhost on port 631 where cups provides web based 
> administration. Look for manage printers and since there are no existing 
> printers, you will have to add one. Adda printer calls cups-pdf and then 
> when you move ahead by clicking on continue, you will be presented by list 
> of printers, this is where you will find Virtual PDF printer thingy.

No - I can connect to the web-based admin tool on port 631, but clicking
the "Add Printer" button doesn't get me to a list that includes any
device with the word "PDF" in it.

Specifically, after clicking "Add Printer" the first "screen" I see
contains three "fill-in-the-blank" inputs. Clicking "Continue" from
there presents me with a drop-down select for "Device:". There is no PDF
device in this drop-down list.

I'm using FC2, and currently running a KDE session - if that makes any
difference.

Thnx,
Jay

On Sat, Nov 27, 2004 at 09:39:02AM -0600, Jay Moore wrote:
> On Sat, 2004-11-27 at 09:08, VJ wrote:
> > > I start the app (System Settings-> Printing), select "New", and get to
> > > the point where I'm asked to select printer mfr. and model. I expected
> > > to find a "Print to PDF" item in the list, but there is  no such item!
> > > Where did I fall off the boat?
> > >
> > > Another thing that confuses me: When I select Preferences->Printing
> > > Manager, the list presented includes "Print to File (PDF)".
> > >
> > > I'm sure this all makes perfect sense somehow, but I am struggling to
> > > see how this fits together... can someone enlighten me?
> > >
> > > Thnx,
> > After a good night sleep, I think I can help now :)
> > start your cups and cups-config-daemon services (and also enable then using 
> > ntsysv so that they come up after next reboot also). run lynx 
> > http://localhost:631
> > i.e. connect localhost on port 631 where cups provides web based 
> > administration. Look for manage printers and since there are no existing 
> > printers, you will have to add one. Adda printer calls cups-pdf and then 
> > when you move ahead by clicking on continue, you will be presented by list 
> > of printers, this is where you will find Virtual PDF printer thingy.
>
> No - I can connect to the web-based admin tool on port 631, but clicking
> the "Add Printer" button doesn't get me to a list that includes any
> device with the word "PDF" in it.
>
> Specifically, after clicking "Add Printer" the first "screen" I see
> contains three "fill-in-the-blank" inputs. Clicking "Continue" from
> there presents me with a drop-down select for "Device:". There is no PDF
> device in this drop-down list.
>
> I'm using FC2, and currently running a KDE session - if that makes any
> difference.
>
> Thnx,
> Jay

I am confused with all this advice. You choose the port, the
manufacturer, etc for the printer. I you want to print a pdf file use
xpdf, gv, ggv or acroread to display the pdf file and then print it.

[James Wilkinson]

[e-mail] wrote:
> I am confused with all this advice. You choose the port, the
> manufacturer, etc for the printer. I you want to print a pdf file use
> xpdf, gv, ggv or acroread to display the pdf file and then print it.

You're thinking about:
existing PDF -> programs -> paper.

The rest of the thread is about:
existing document *NOT* in PDF format (say, Abiword) -> print system ->
PDF *instead* of paper.

"Printing" to PDF is close enough to printing to paper that it makes
sense to use the same mechanisms to produce a PDF.

James.

On Sun, Nov 28, 2004 at 12:08:22AM +0000, James Wilkinson wrote:
> [e-mail] wrote:
> > I am confused with all this advice. You choose the port, the
> > manufacturer, etc for the printer. I you want to print a pdf file use
> > xpdf, gv, ggv or acroread to display the pdf file and then print it.
>
> You're thinking about:
> existing PDF -> programs -> paper.
>
> The rest of the thread is about:
> existing document *NOT* in PDF format (say, Abiword) -> print system ->
> PDF *instead* of paper.
>
> "Printing" to PDF is close enough to printing to paper that it makes
> sense to use the same mechanisms to produce a PDF.
>
> James.

I just what to be sure I am learning what I think I am learning. Is
what is  being referred to is the possibility that cups can take a document
is some arbitrary format and produce a document in pdf format. Not
print it just produce a pdf file. 
=======================================================================
THEGODDESSOFTHENETHASTWISTINGFINGERSANDHERVOICEISLIKEAJAVELININTHENIGHTDUDE
-------------------------------------------
Aaron Konstam
Computer Science
Trinity University
One Trinity Place.
San Antonio, TX 78212-7200

telephone: [phone]
email:[e-mail]

[Jay Moore]

On Sun, 2004-11-28 at 08:07, [e-mail] wrote:
> > You're thinking about:
> > existing PDF -> programs -> paper.
> >
> > The rest of the thread is about:
> > existing document *NOT* in PDF format (say, Abiword) -> print system ->
> > PDF *instead* of paper.
> >
> > "Printing" to PDF is close enough to printing to paper that it makes
> > sense to use the same mechanisms to produce a PDF.
>
> I just what to be sure I am learning what I think I am learning. Is
> what is  being referred to is the possibility that cups can take a document
> is some arbitrary format and produce a document in pdf format. Not
> print it just produce a pdf file.

Yes - once CUPS-PDF is installed you can do that. You may want to read
the entire thread, but here's the link to the "essential ingredient":
> Have you installed cups-pdf? It is found at 
> http://cip.physik.uni-wuerzburg.de/~vrbehr/cups-pdf/

[Kevin Cummings]

Jay Moore wrote:
> On Sun, 2004-11-28 at 08:07, [e-mail] wrote:
> > > You're thinking about:
> > > existing PDF -> programs -> paper.
> > >
> > > The rest of the thread is about:
> > > existing document *NOT* in PDF format (say, Abiword) -> print system ->
> > > PDF *instead* of paper.
> > >
> > > "Printing" to PDF is close enough to printing to paper that it makes
> > > sense to use the same mechanisms to produce a PDF.
> >
> > I just what to be sure I am learning what I think I am learning. Is
> > what is  being referred to is the possibility that cups can take a document
> > is some arbitrary format and produce a document in pdf format. Not
> > print it just produce a pdf file.
>
> Yes - once CUPS-PDF is installed you can do that. You may want to read
> the entire thread, but here's the link to the "essential ingredient":
> > Have you installed cups-pdf? It is found at 
> > http://cip.physik.uni-wuerzburg.de/~vrbehr/cups-pdf/

Well, I just went there, downlaoded the 1.6 src.rpm, rebuilt it on my 
system for FC2.  No problems.  Installed it.  restarted cups service.
Added the "virtual" PDF printer (via http://localhost:631 interface) and 
printed a test page.  It showed up in /root/job_120-Test-Page.pdf.  It 
could've somehow asked me to name the file, but otherwise it works just 
fine.  What was *not* documented (very well) was to choose the 
Postscript driver for the model name and then choose from the 2 generic 
postscript drivers (color, or B&W).  This could be a stumbling block for 
a newbie....

[Gene Heskett]

On Saturday 27 November 2004 09:56, Jay Moore wrote:
> On Fri, 2004-11-26 at 18:53, VJ wrote:
> > He he he. This proves I am more than half brain dead :)
> >
> > I used it once and the moment it tried asking about the devices
> > (printer, jetdirect etc. ) I thought I was doing something stupid.
> > I tried and it worked.
>
> Hmmm... guess I'm super-dense, but I can't see how to do this, even
> after the benefit of your mistake.
>
> I start the app (System Settings-> Printing), select "New", and get
> to the point where I'm asked to select printer mfr. and model. I
> expected to find a "Print to PDF" item in the list, but there is 
> no such item! Where did I fall off the boat?
>
> Another thing that confuses me: When I select Preferences->Printing
> Manager, the list presented includes "Print to File (PDF)".

I think the missing clue here is probably that cups must have a valid, 
working, printer setup first, before the file can be re-directed to a 
pdf.  OTOH, I could be wrong.  Either way, the system must know that 
the src file has to be massaged and format converted by ghostscript 
or one of its helpers.
> I'm sure this all makes perfect sense somehow, but I am struggling
> to see how this fits together... can someone enlighten me?
>
> Thnx,
> Jay

[John Summerfield]

On Saturday 27 November 2004 08:08, VJ wrote:
> Hi,
>     May be I am half brain-dead and I cannot figure out where to start. In
> FC2, I remember it used be called cupsd-conf or something line that. How do
> I configure cups in FC3? I am trying to use cups-pdf but cannot add a new
> printer until I can configure cups. I am using gnome.

rpm -qac cups*

[Gene Heskett]

On Friday 26 November 2004 19:08, VJ wrote:
> Hi,
>    May be I am half brain-dead and I cannot figure out where to
> start. In FC2, I remember it used be called cupsd-conf or something
> line that. How do I configure cups in FC3? I am trying to use
> cups-pdf but cannot add a new printer until I can configure cups. I
> am using gnome.
>
> Regards from
> VJ

The easiest way is to point your browser at localhost:631, log into 
cups and follow your nose.

[Rahul Sundaram]

Hi
> The easiest way is to point your browser at localhost:631, log into
> cups and follow your nose.

ehmm. did you actually say the word "easy". this is by no means userfriendly

[Carroll Grigsby]

On Friday 26 November 2004 08:13 pm, Rahul Sundaram wrote:
> Hi
> > The easiest way is to point your browser at localhost:631, log into
> > cups and follow your nose.
>
> ehmm. did you actually say the word "easy". this is by no means userfriendly

Simple fix for the CLI-impaired: Create a bookmark.
-- cmg

[Robert]

Rahul Sundaram wrote:
> Hi
> > The easiest way is to point your browser at localhost:631, log into
> > cups and follow your nose.
>
> ehmm. did you actually say the word "easy". this is by no means userfriendly

Neither is a nice, simple tool that auto-comments this line:

application/octet-stream

in /etc/cups/mime.types so that I have to manually edit the file every 
time I make a configuration change or discover that Windows apps no 
longer print to cups via samba. (Whichever comes first. :-()