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UNIX Printing Help


Printing

The cheapest way to print a file is to use the line printer at CCC. To send a file named "filename" to this printer, type to UNIX prompt

        lpr filename
There are several PostScript laser printers on campus. You may print out plots and text for inclusion in your labs, project writeups and other academic work. Any files you print out that are not directly related to classwork, however, will cost you 10 cents per page. Note that laser printers may only be accessible from the machines in their area. From the Fuller Labs, one valid printer choice is "lps20". The printer "mgtlab" is in the Management Lab. In the Math Lab, the laser printer is normally "math3" but is temporarily "stat2". To print a file named "filename" on a printer named "printername", the command is

        lpr -Pprintername filename
For example, to print the file "big_deal" on the printer "stat2" from a workstation in the Math Lab, type

        lpr -Pstat2 big_deal
One particularly useful option for the lpr command is -N2. This shrinks the size of a page, and prints two pages per sheet of paper. This command should be utilized whenever possible to save paper.

        lpr -Pstat2 -N2 big_deal

Checking and Cancelling Jobs

Each printer keeps track of the order in which print jobs are sent to it. To examine the current list (known as the print queue), type:

         lpq -Pprintername
where "printername" is the printer in question. The result should either be ``no entries'' (which means that any jobs that have been sent to the printer have already been processed) or something resembling the following:


         printername is ready and printing via remote
         Rank   Owner      Job  Files                         Total Size
         active generic    329  mail_file                     23453 bytes
         1st    generic    330  (standard input)              42741 bytes
         2nd    somebody   331  assign1                       82453 bytes
         3rd    somebody   332  assign2                       72544 bytes
         4th    you        333  (standard input)              83546 bytes
In general, it is a good idea to run ``lpq'' on every available printer before printing your file to see which is less busy. If you decide the process is taking to long and you want to change printers, or if you accidentally print the wrong file, you can cancel your jobs by using ``lprm'' as follows:

         lprm -Pprintername 333
will remove (dequeue) printer job #333 from the printer ``printername'' (provided the job is yours), and

         lprm -Pprintername -
will remove ALL jobs which are yours from the printer ``printername.'' In either case, you will be notified if the removal is successful, with` a message such as:

     somename.WPI.EDU: dfA332yourstation.WPI.EDU dequeued
     somename.WPI.EDU: cfA332yourstation.WPI.EDU dequeued

Maintained by: ma-questions@wpi.edu
Last Updated: 26 May 1999