README - CUPS v1.4b1 - 2008-10-10 --------------------------------- ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** ********** ********** ********** THIS IS BETA-RELEASE SOFTWARE. DO NOT USE ON ********** ********** PRODUCTION SYSTEMS! REPORT PROBLEMS TO THE ********** ********** CUPS FORUMS OR BUG REPORTING PAGES: ********** ********** ********** ********** http://www.cups.org/newsgroups.php (FORUMS) ********** ********** http://www.cups.org/str.php (BUGS) ********** ********** ********** ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** Looking for compile instructions? Read the file "INSTALL.txt" instead... INTRODUCTION CUPS provides a portable printing layer for UNIX(r)-based operating systems. It was developed by Easy Software Products and is now owned and maintained by Apple Inc. to promote a standard printing solution for all UNIX vendors and users. CUPS provides the System V and Berkeley command-line interfaces. CUPS uses the Internet Printing Protocol ("IPP") as the basis for managing print jobs and queues. The Line Printer Daemon ("LPD") Server Message Block ("SMB"), and AppSocket (a.k.a. JetDirect) protocols are also supported with reduced functionality. CUPS adds network printer browsing and PostScript Printer Description ("PPD") based printing options to support real-world printing under UNIX. CUPS includes an image file RIP that supports printing of image files to non-PostScript printers. GPL Ghostscript now includes the "cups" driver to support printing of PostScript files within the CUPS driver framework. Sample drivers for Dymo, EPSON, HP, OKIDATA, and Zebra printers are included that use these filters. CUPS is licensed under the GNU General Public License and GNU Library General Public License versions 2. READING THE DOCUMENTATION Once you have installed the software you can access the documentation (and a bunch of other stuff) on-line at: http://localhost:631/ If you're having trouble getting that far, the documentation is located under the "doc/help" directory. Please read the documentation before asking questions. GETTING SUPPORT AND OTHER RESOURCES If you have problems, READ THE DOCUMENTATION FIRST! We also provide many discussion forums which are available at: http://www.cups.org/newsgroups.php See the CUPS web site at "http://www.cups.org/" for other site links. SETTING UP PRINTER QUEUES USING YOUR WEB BROWSER CUPS 1.3 includes a web-based administration tool that allows you to manage printers, classes, and jobs on your server. Open the following URL in your browser to access the printer administration tools: http://localhost:631/admin/ DO NOT use the hostname for your machine - it will not work with the default CUPS configuration. To enable administration access on other addresses, check the "Allow Remote Administration" box and click on the "Change Settings" button. You will be asked for the administration password (root or any other user in the sys/system/root group on your system) when performing any administrative function. SETTING UP PRINTER QUEUES FROM THE COMMAND-LINE CUPS works best with PPD (PostScript Printer Description) files. In a pinch you can also use System V style printer interface scripts. CUPS includes several sample PPD files you can use: Driver PPD File ----------------------------- ------------------------------ Dymo Label Printers drv:///sample.drv/dymo.ppd Intellitech Intellibar drv:///sample.drv/intelbar.ppd EPSON Stylus Color Series drv:///sample.drv/stcolor.ppd EPSON Stylus Photo Series drv:///sample.drv/stphoto.ppd EPSON Stylus New Color Series drv:///sample.drv/stcolor2.ppd EPSON Stylus New Photo Series drv:///sample.drv/stphoto2.ppd EPSON 9-pin Series drv:///sample.drv/epson9.ppd EPSON 24-pin Series drv:///sample.drv/epson24.ppd HP DeskJet Series drv:///sample.drv/deskjet.ppd HP LaserJet Series drv:///sample.drv/laserjet.ppd OKIDATA 9-Pin Series drv:///sample.drv/okidata9.ppd OKIDATA 24-Pin Series drv:///sample.drv/okidat24.ppd Zebra CPCL Label Printer drv:///sample.drv/zebracpl.ppd Zebra EPL1 Label Printer drv:///sample.drv/zebraep1.ppd Zebra EPL2 Label Printer drv:///sample.drv/zebraep2.ppd Zebra ZPL Label Printer drv:///sample.drv/zebra.ppd Run the "lpinfo -m" command to list the available drivers: lpinfo -m Run the "lpinfo -v" command to list the available printers: lpinfo -v Then use the correct URI to add the printer using the "lpadmin" command: lpadmin -p printername -E -v URI -m filename.ppd Network printers typically use "socket" or "lpd" URIs: lpadmin -p printername -E -v socket://11.22.33.44 -m filename.ppd lpadmin -p printername -E -v lpd://11.22.33.44/ -m filename.ppd The sample drivers provide basic printing capabilities, but generally do not exercise the full potential of the printers or CUPS. PRINTING FILES CUPS provides both the System V "lp" and Berkeley "lpr" commands for printing: lp filename lpr filename Both the "lp" and "lpr" commands support printing options for the driver: lp -omedia=A4 -oresolution=600dpi filename lpr -omedia=A4 -oresolution=600dpi filename CUPS recognizes many types of images files as well as PDF, PostScript, HP-GL/2, and text files, so you can print those files directly rather than through an application. If you have an application that generates output specifically for your printer then you need to use the "-oraw" or "-l" options: lp -oraw filename lpr -l filename This will prevent the filters from misinterpreting your print file. LEGAL STUFF CUPS is Copyright 2007-2008 by Apple Inc. CUPS, the CUPS logo, and the Common UNIX Printing System are trademarks of Apple Inc. The MD5 Digest code is Copyright 1999 Aladdin Enterprises. This software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group. CUPS is provided under the terms of version 2 of the GNU General Public License and GNU Library General Public License. This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the "doc/help/license.html" or "LICENSE.txt" files for more information.