Matthew Coffin wrote:
> Hi everyone -
>
> I want to use my Epson DX4850 with OS, but although presto detects the usb
> printer when connected, it cannot create the printer correctly, as there is
> no PPD file (am i corrrect) for this printer. searching the web, i have found
> lots of advice - and i'm sure it's help-full, but it does seem to be a little
> confusing to a novice like me.
>
> Anyway, i beleive I have to use gutenprint (which means make and compile),
> although the OS 08.11 has gimp print as a package i can install If i wish
> to.(gutenprint is the new version of gimp print)
>
Yes, OS 8.11 still contains gimp-print 4.2.6. Gutenprint is at 5.2.3
and it was on the schedule of things to upgrade to. I haven't got a
clue if it is now. It's reasonably easy to build.
> However, do I need to use CUPS ?? - I must therefore install it (no worries)
>
You don't need it, but I would recommend using it since the CUPS
integration with the desktop and gutenprint is likely to be a little better.
> Ansd if I want to connect to my printer, while I have it shared on a windos
> box, I need samba - or do I use cifs.
>
SAMBA implements SMB/CIFS. If your printer is plugged into a Windows
Box, yes, you will need SAMBA to print to the printer (potentially a
small lie, but just accept that you will need it). You would use a
device-uri for the printer in the form of
smb://[username:passw...@][workgroup/]server[:port]/printer
This form of URI works with CUPS (need a missing symlink in
/usr/lib/cups/backend, see one of my previous postings yesterday for
details) or LP (using the uri interface script).
> Is there a simple 1-2-3 on how to install a printer
> - using lp
>
plug it in and let the system auto-detect it for USB. If it 's network
attached, you can enable the network attached printer discovery support,
but it requires some missing SNMP MIBs be installed prior to enabling
it. (SUNWsmmgr package)
> - using cups
>
plug it in and use the CUPS web interface or use system-config-printer
(build 107).
> - using gutenprint
>
Should be transparent to you. It's pretty much glued into the print
system via PPD files.
> Or can someone give me a kick in the right direction.
>
> Anyway - thanks for reading this, and I hope someone can save my sanity
>
The sanity thing is a whole different kind of group :-)
-Norm
