back to the Smith
I/O home page Output can be printed out in various different formats. The
following table shows
the format option and the command used to print. "filename"
is the name of the file to be printed.
Option Print Command drilled paper qpr -q smips -f drilled filename undrilled qpr -q smips filename landscape enscript -r -p - filename | qpr -q smips duplex qpr -q smips filename simplex qpr -q smips -S filename two up enscript -2r -p - filename| qpr -q smips Note: Enscript works only on text files.
To print postscript files on a laser printer use the qpr command
with the -q option
to specify a laser printing queue followed by the filename:
qpr -q queuename filename
For example, to print a copy of a file "program.p"
on a Smith Hall laser printer, you would type:
qpr -q smips program.p
will send a specified file "filename" to be printed on the Smith Hall Laser printers.
This printer is no longer available and has been replaced with a HP DesignJet 5500. See DesignJet 5500
| LOCATION | DEVICE NAME | QUEUE NAME |
| 116 Pearson Hall | HP8000 | prsps |
| 006 Smith Hall | HP8000 & HP5si | smips |
| 220 Townsend Hall | HP 4si | tnsps |
| 009B Willard Hall | HP8000 | whlps |
The enscript command reads in plain text files, converts them to PostScript language, and can output put them to a printer or file. Fonts, headings, limited formatting options and spooling options may be specified.
Command usage:
%enscript [options] filename where "filename" is the name of the file to be converted.
Useful Options: -#<number> Causes "number" of copies of the ouput to be printed.
% enscript -Br -n4 -fPalatino-Roman10 -Ssimplex -Psmips -pdata.ps data.txt
Formats a file "data.txt" without special headings,
rotates it 90 degrees
to print in landscape format, specifes 4 copies to be outputted,
changes the
font type to Palatino-Roman10, outputs the file in simplex(one-sided)
format,
sends the formatted file to be printed at the Smith Hall laser
printers, and
saves the converted file to a file named "data.ps"
The qdev command is used to display the status of printer devices.
The command must be executed from strauss in order to view
the status.
Command usage:
% qdev
An example of qdev:
smips6 white Q16249.1927 29916 ("map.ps" 43% of 73k)
smips7 drilled (Idle)
nrkps1 white Q02948.113 28906 (accounting)
tnsps1 white Q00003.13397 28804 (Syncing)
whlps1 white (Idle)
colps1 white (Idle)
duplp2 white Disabled (Idle)
The following commands are used to send files to printers on
the central UNIX systems.
%qpr [options] filename
% qpr -q smips -c7 -m -f drilled test.data
% man topic
man qpr
The UNIX "kpr" command allows a person using MS-Kermit to print a file from their UNIX account to a printer attached to their PC. It works by making use of a feature of true VT100 terminals that is built into the MS-DOS version of Kermit (known as MS-Kermit; you'll need version 3.xx, the latest version is 3.13). It MAY work with other communications software that can emulate a VT100. User Services staff have tried the kpr command successfully with PC/TCP's TN program, Lan Workplace for DOS, CrossTalk, and Qmodem.
The syntax for the command is
Command usage:
kpr my_unix_filename
where "my_unix_filename" is the name of a TEXT file accessible from your UNIX account. Files that contain more than just text might also work, but could cause your computer to hang.
You can print a news article by typing
|kpr
(note the vertical-bar character) after (or while) reading
the article using rn or trn.
If you are printing a large file, or have a relatively slow printer, you may need to make sure that the "flow control" used by MS-Kermit and your modem (if you are using one) match. Flow control regulates data transmission, so that the receiver does not get sent more data than it can handle.
Kermit's default setting is "set flow xon/xoff" (for Xon/Xoff flow control), which matches what the University's UNIX systems use.
If you are using a modem, it should be set to use Xon/Xoff
flow control. Modems using standard Hayes commands can be set
for Xon/Xoff with the command "AT&K4" (without the
quotes). You may need to use a different command with your modem.
The above Hayes command should be issued before you connect to
a remote computer. It can be combined with the command to dial
the phone. Instead of using "ATDT" followed by the telephone
number you are calling, use "AT&K4DT" followed by
the number.
The kpr command is NOT officially supported by Information
Technologies ("use at your own risk"), but offered as
a public service for those who want to try it. There is some chance
that using it could lock up your PC, requiring you to reboot the
system.
If the UNIX system does not seem to recognize the kpr command, contact User Services for assistance in setting up your default path. If you need assistance in issuing the Kermit or Hayes commands to set flow control to xon/xoff, call the Help Desk at 831-6000.
Further information on setting flow control and using
your printer with MS-Kermit can be found in the book "Using
MS-DOS Kermit" by Christine Gianone. In the second edition,
look at pages 56-57, 61, and 82-83.
The qstat command is used to display printing queue information. This includes which queues files have been sent to and what files are currently printing on specific printers. The qstat command can only be executed from strauss in order to actual printing queue status.
The command qstat -l will show the printer
queuename, request id userid, filename, priority number,
file size, and time submitted.
Command usage:
%qstat -l