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Xprint usage in Mozilla

  1. Optional: Start Xprint server ("Xprt") if there is none running yet:

    Notes:

    • This step is only required when you do not have a Xprint server running yet (xprint.mozdev.org has RPM and Debian packages which will do that automagically, just reboot after an installation :-)).
    • /etc/init.d/xprint start is usually executed at system startup time (if Xprint is started as per-machine service daemon) and/or as part of the users ~/.profile (if Xprint should run per-user (note that you can mix both modes and even employ remote Xprint servers - just put them all into $XPSERVERLIST :))
    • /etc/init.d/xprint start can be used as plain user, too (e.g. non-root), however the started Xprint server is only available to that user.

  2. Optional: Make sure $XPSERVERLIST env var is correctly set:

    Notes:

  3. Start Mozilla and load the page you want to print!

  4. Open the print dialog (Menu File/Print...) and select the printer you want to use:

    Notes:

    • Example above shows printers from three diffent sources:
      Two Xprint servers (castor:18 and sepia0:5 and one PostScript module printer ("PostScript/default") at the bottom of the list.
    • The default printer for this user is always being moved at the top of the list.
      This can be changed by setting the $PDPRINTER, $LPDEST and/or $PRINTER env vars (they are searched in that order).
    • Printers which start with PostScript/ are no Xprint-based printers. That are printers from the old PostScript module.
      Xprint-based printers always have an '@'-sign in the middle of the name.
    • If no Xprint-based printers show-up then check...
      • ... if $XPSERVERLIST is set
      • ... if the Xprint server(s) referenced by $XPSERVERLIST are running and accessible (remote Xprt may usually be access-restricted)
      • Consult the FAQ!

  5. Optional: Open the print properties dialog (click on the Properties...-button) and select the job attributes (paper size, color space etc) you want to use...

    Notes:

    • The properties dialog will only offer paper sizes for Xprint-based printers, e.g. you can't print using a paper size which is not supported/allowed for this printer.
    • Do not worry that there may be a lack of paper sizes (only the example above shows that a restriction is possible; the default configuration ("PSdefault") comes with many many paper sizes and you can configure as many paper sizes as you want, too.
    • Setting the spooler command in the dialog is not supported by the Xprint module (the "Print Command:" input widget is disabled for Xprint-module-based printers)
      Remember that the default spooler command is heavily platform-specific and therefore the server side configuration is responsible to define this.
      You can setup the spooler command in the model-config or override it in $XPCONFIGDIR/C/print/attributes/printer either for all printers, per-printer or per-model etc.)).
      Alternatively you can simply print to file...

  6. Print!
    (e.g. hit the "Print..."-button)

  7. Enjoy the results :-)

    Notes: