README.txt

   1 README - CUPS v1.3b1 - 2007-07-13
   2 ---------------------------------
   3
   4 ******************************************************************
   5 ******************************************************************
   6 ****                                                          ****
   7 ****           BETA SOFTWARE - USE AT YOUR OWN RISK           ****
   8 ****                                                          ****
   9 ******************************************************************
  10 ******************************************************************
  11
  12 Looking for compile instructions?  Read the file "INSTALL.txt"
  13 instead...
  14
  15
  16 INTRODUCTION
  17
  18     CUPS provides a portable printing layer for UNIX(r)-based
  19     operating systems.  It was developed by Easy Software Products
  20     and is now owned and maintained by Apple Inc. to promote a
  21     standard printing solution for all UNIX vendors and users.  CUPS
  22     provides the System V and Berkeley command-line interfaces.
  23
  24     CUPS uses the Internet Printing Protocol ("IPP") as the basis
  25     for managing print jobs and queues.  The Line Printer Daemon
  26     ("LPD") Server Message Block ("SMB"), and AppSocket (a.k.a.
  27     JetDirect) protocols are also supported with reduced
  28     functionality.  CUPS adds network printer browsing and
  29     PostScript Printer Description ("PPD") based printing options
  30     to support real-world printing under UNIX.
  31
  32     CUPS includes an image file RIP that supports printing of
  33     image files to non-PostScript printers.  A customized version
  34     of GPL Ghostscript for CUPS called ESP Ghostscript is
  35     available separately to support printing of PostScript files
  36     within the CUPS driver framework.  Sample drivers for Dymo,
  37     EPSON, HP, OKIDATA, and Zebra printers are included that use
  38     these filters.
  39
  40     CUPS is licensed under the GNU General Public License and GNU
  41     Library General Public License versions 2.
  42
  43
  44 READING THE DOCUMENTATION
  45
  46     Once you have installed the software you can access the
  47     documentation (and a bunch of other stuff) on-line at:
  48
  49         http://localhost:631/
  50
  51     If you're having trouble getting that far, the documentation
  52     is located under the "doc/help" directory.
  53
  54     Please read the documentation before asking questions.
  55
  56
  57 GETTING SUPPORT AND OTHER RESOURCES
  58
  59     If you have problems, READ THE DOCUMENTATION FIRST!  We also
  60     provide many discussion forums which are available at:
  61
  62         http://www.cups.org/newsgroups.php
  63
  64     See the CUPS web site at "http://www.cups.org/" for other
  65     site links.
  66
  67
  68 SETTING UP PRINTER QUEUES USING YOUR WEB BROWSER
  69
  70     CUPS 1.3 includes a web-based administration tool that allows
  71     you to manage printers, classes, and jobs on your server.
  72     Open the following URL in your browser to access the printer
  73     administration tools:
  74
  75         http://localhost:631/admin/
  76
  77     DO NOT use the hostname for your machine - it will not work
  78     with the default CUPS configuration.  To enable
  79     administration access on other addresses, check the "Allow
  80     Remote Administration" box and click on the "Change Settings"
  81     button.
  82
  83     You will be asked for the administration password (root or
  84     any other user in the sys/system/root group on your system)
  85     when performing any administrative function.
  86
  87
  88 SETTING UP PRINTER QUEUES FROM THE COMMAND-LINE
  89
  90     CUPS works best with PPD (PostScript Printer Description)
  91     files.  In a pinch you can also use System V style printer
  92     interface scripts.
  93
  94     CUPS includes several sample PPD files you can use:
  95
  96         Driver                         PPD File
  97         -----------------------------  ------------
  98         Dymo Label Printers            dymo.ppd
  99         Intellitech Intellibar         intelbar.ppd
 100         EPSON Stylus Color Series      stcolor.ppd
 101         EPSON Stylus Photo Series      stphoto.ppd
 102         EPSON Stylus New Color Series  stcolor2.ppd
 103         EPSON Stylus New Photo Series  stphoto2.ppd
 104         EPSON 9-pin Series             epson9.ppd
 105         EPSON 24-pin Series            epson24.ppd
 106         HP DeskJet Series              deskjet.ppd
 107         HP LaserJet Series             laserjet.ppd
 108         OKIDATA 9-Pin Series           okidata9.ppd
 109         OKIDATA 24-Pin Series          okidat24.ppd
 110         Zebra CPCL Label Printer       zebracpl.ppd
 111         Zebra EPL1 Label Printer       zebraep1.ppd
 112         Zebra EPL2 Label Printer       zebraep2.ppd
 113         Zebra ZPL Label Printer        zebra.ppd
 114
 115     Run the "lpinfo" command to list the available printers:
 116
 117         lpinfo -v
 118
 119     Then use the correct URI to add the printer using the
 120     "lpadmin" command:
 121
 122         lpadmin -p printername -E -v URI -m filename.ppd
 123
 124     Network printers typically use "socket" or "lpd" URIs:
 125
 126         lpadmin -p printername -E -v socket://11.22.33.44 -m filename.ppd
 127         lpadmin -p printername -E -v lpd://11.22.33.44/ -m filename.ppd
 128
 129     The sample drivers provide basic printing capabilities, but
 130     generally do not exercise the full potential of the printers
 131     or CUPS.
 132
 133
 134 PRINTING FILES
 135
 136     CUPS provides both the System V "lp" and Berkeley "lpr"
 137     commands for printing:
 138
 139         lp filename
 140         lpr filename
 141
 142     Both the "lp" and "lpr" commands support printing options for
 143     the driver:
 144
 145         lp -omedia=A4 -oresolution=600dpi filename
 146         lpr -omedia=A4 -oresolution=600dpi filename
 147
 148     CUPS recognizes many types of images files as well as PDF,
 149     PostScript, HP-GL/2, and text files, so you can print those
 150     files directly rather than through an application.
 151
 152     If you have an application that generates output specifically
 153     for your printer then you need to use the "-oraw" or "-l"
 154     options:
 155
 156         lp -oraw filename
 157         lpr -l filename
 158
 159     This will prevent the filters from misinterpreting your print
 160     file.
 161
 162
 163 LEGAL STUFF
 164
 165     CUPS is Copyright 2007 by Apple Inc.  CUPS, the CUPS logo, and
 166     the Common UNIX Printing System are the trademark property of
 167     Apple Inc.
 168
 169     The MD5 Digest code is Copyright 1999 Aladdin Enterprises.
 170
 171     The PDF filter (pdftops) is based on the Xpdf software,
 172     Copyright 1996-2005 by Derek B. Noonburg.
 173
 174     This software is based in part on the work of the Independent
 175     JPEG Group.
 176
 177     CUPS is provided under the terms of the GNU General Public
 178     License and GNU Library General Public License. This program
 179     is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
 180     WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
 181     MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
 182     "doc/help/license.html" or "LICENSE.txt" files for more
 183     information.