Hello! There is a correction, Even in method one It will be possible to do printing from the journal, the only disadvantage will be the lack of a print job evaluation server side. Teacher wont be able to evaluate the work in method one.
Thank you On Mon, Mar 23, 2009 at 9:12 PM, Vamsi Krishna Davuluri < [email protected]> wrote: > Hello, > > > I am Vamsi from India, and I'm trying to get into GSoC(google > summer of code ) this year, and I intend to add print support to XO laptops. > > > > We have a conflicting issue here, i.e To add usb printing directly > to the xos and support network printing , or not add usb printing and do > only network printing. > > This I speak in a general NON-TECHNICAL perspective. > > The first approach would have me require installing a printing tool(the > cups daemon) on the laptops, and due to certain constraints and GSoC being > two months, I can only add print support to activities that require it. > The printing will be done within that particular activity, and there will be > an option to select either network printer, or local usb printer. There will > also be an activity in Control Panel to configure the printer or rather > select which one. As minimal options is best for the kids. > > The network printing would be done the same way as on a normal network, > clients connected to a print server. > > The second would give me and in-turn users more flexibility, that is the > print button in any activity would send a saved doc/image/ etc to the > journal, the user will be prompted with a notification, so as to send it to > the school server immediately or let it remain in the journal. if the user > wishes to send his requests in bulk, he can save all his work to the > journal, and instead of the generic groups in the journal, we will have a > new pending print requests group there. He can then go to the print queue, > and select files he wishes to print and send them for printing with a click. > > The XS will have a background program which listens for requests. And when > requests come, a GUI will open with information regarding origin, file size, > type. The teacher can view the request, and print it if he/she deems it > appropriate. And send an acknowledgement back to the job originator that the > print has /not/ been done. > > ( I personally like the flexibity the second approach presents, most of > approach one is automatic, and print requests would have to be rendered into > A printable format client side only, making it impossible to view them on > the teachers school server) > > And the second idea came into manifestation only after many have expressed > displeasure at having a print feature in the laptops, as many fear the > prospect of misuse, the kids would never consider all the predicaments > involved in printing, they would abuse paper for little settings, they would > print for every little thing they have done and will want to reward > themselves for the smallest thing. > > AND, good news is I have fixed Write to export-to-pdf(it can save to pdf > now!) but sadly enough that cannot be reread by Write as of yet, so printing > a pdf from word is not possible through method one(as anything printed by > method one must be currently in use on the screen) But with method two we > can just transfer the pdf and the teacher can approve it for printing. > > Your opinions will be highly valued, and it will be final word for me to > proceed with my proposal. > > As you can see I am a bit biased about approach two, but I will value your > opinions! > > > Thank you > > Vamsi Krishna Davuluri > > > >
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