CGD Computing FAQs

Unix Printing

Printing

The standard System V UNIX printing commands, such as

  • lp
  • lpstat
  • cancel

are the user interface to use. From the CDE Desktop, you can also print from applications and use the Print Manager.

The standard lp print options are available, plus there are additional options specific to HP printers which can also be specified on the command-line. The HP-specific options are selected by using the "-o" command-line option. The options control functions such as selecting the paper tray, the output tray, printing on both sides of the page.

The printers bert and ernie have the option of printing on 11x17 (ledger) paper via manual feed. This only works for Solaris, not Linux. The command is:

lp -d bert -o 11x17 filename

Double-sided Printing

Double-sided printint is available via the commands:

lp -d alfalfa -o DuplexNoTumble filename
lp -d alfalfa -o 'sides=two-sided-long-edge filename
lp -d alfalfa -o 'sides=two-sided-short-edge filename
a2ps -P alfalfa --sides=2 --col=1 filename

DuplexNoTumble & sides=two-sided-long-edge prints text orientation the same on front and back sides=two-sided-short-edge prints text orientation upside down on back compared to front

a2ps command

Convert FILE(s) or standard input to PostScript

ex. a2ps -r -l120 -f10 -P newcolorprinter file.txt

The above print command will have file.txt rotated to landscape, with print 120 characters per line, and use a font size of 10 using the printer named "newcolorprinter".

Print Queues

The commands lpq -P printername and lpstat printername will show the printer status.

Default Printers

Your default printer is set in your ~/.login file. Change this line, and log all the way out and back in again for it to take effect.

setenv PRINTER printername

If you have any other questions or concerns, please