Printing

To send an output to a PCN supported printer, use the command:

lpr -[option] filename

from a Unix shell command prompt.

Note: you may also specify the path of the printed file as well.

To send the output to a specific printer, use -P [printername] in the option field. For example, to print a file named foobaa.ps to babbage printer (default), the following command is used:

-P babbage foobaa.ps

For more information on available options use the available “man page” (manual page) with the command: man lpr at a shell command prompt.

Many of the HP LaserJet printers in the department are now sporting duplexer units, allowing documents to be printed on both sides of each page. Duplexing saves paper and clutter, and your documents end up looking more professional than simplex (one-sided) printing.

How do I Duplex?

If you are printing from a Macintosh or Windows application, you should be able to set simplex or duplex printing in Page Setup…, Printer Setup…, or Print… from the File menu.

All of the departmental printers are configured to duplex by default. If you need to turn off this feature for a document that must be simplexed, say, your thesis or a journal submission, tack -simplex onto the printer name. For example, to print file.ps simplexed to the printer knuth, type

lpr -Pknuth -simplex file.ps

The default simplex printer is currently babbage, so printing to simplex or babbage-simplex will print a simplexed document on babbage.

Which Printers Duplex?

All of the HP LaserJet 8000s duplex, as do some of the 5 SiMXs. We may install more in the future. If you're not sure, just give it a try!

Why Doesn't it Work?

You may come across a document that doesn't print simplexed when you asked for it, or vice versa, especially when printing from a Macintosh or Windows application. What's happening is the application is putting explicit commands to simplex or duplex inside the document. The spooler sends similar commands when you specify -simplex or -duplex as part of the printer name, but they get overridden by any commands in the document, which appear later in the job. To correct this problem, make the changes in your application. The options can probably be found in Page Setup…, Printer Setup…, or Print….