How do I print?

All printers are available via the system V command set (lp, lpstat, etc).

To print a file, type:

lp -d PRINTER-NAME FILE-NAME

lp -d PRINTER-NAME FILE-NAME

If you are printing a large file and it is not world readable, you may have to type this:

lp -c -d PRINTER-NAME FILE-NAME

lp -c -d PRINTER-NAME FILE-NAME

The -c option allows lp to make a copy of the file.

What printers are available?

May I print as much output as I like?

No. Printer paper, toner, and maintenance represent a substantial expense to the CS Department. So far we have managed to keep this expense within bounds through voluntary conservation. There will continue to be no hard limits on printing as long as people continue not to abuse the privilege. Here are some suggestions to minimize wasted paper:

• Use the -h (no header page) option on lpr.
• Use the enscript or mp commands to list multiple pages per printed page.
• Do not print large voluminous manuals. Large on-line manuals should be perused on-line. Users who print exceptionally large volumes of output will be asked to pay the costs of the printing.
• Try not to print something unless you REALLY need a hard-copy.
• Do not use the printers as copy machines.

The soft limits for undergraduates are 35 pages per print job and 75 pages per week. These are limits of excess, not allocations. You should try to keep your printing well below these limits.

CS Department printers are for bona fide department-related work only.

How do I print a Linux man (manual) page?

Use the following command:

man -t MANPAGE-NAME | lpr -P PRINTER

man -t MANPAGE-NAME | lpr -P PRINTER

How do I cancel my print job?

To cancel you print job, you need to check the job’s status in order to get the job number.

To check on the status of your print job, type

lpstat PRINTER-NAME

lpstat PRINTER-NAME

You will get output that looks something like this:

lpstat banjo
banjo-195 root 367 Apr 06 08:27 on banjo

lpstat banjo
banjo-195 root 367 Apr 06 08:27 on banjo

To cancel your job, type cancel JOB. To cancel the job above, one would type:

cancel banjo-195
request "banjo-195" cancelled

cancel banjo-195
request "banjo-195" cancelled

How do I print single-sided output?

By default, double-sided (duplex) printers use both sides of the paper. Since single-sided printing doubles our paper costs, it should only be selected when absolutely necessary. Single-sided printing may be selected as described below.

On Linux, use the -o sides=one-sided option with the lpr command. For instance:

lpr -Pbanjo -o sides=one-sided myfile

lpr -Pbanjo -o sides=one-sided myfile

On Windows, go into the “Properties/Advanced/Printing Defaults” menu and select “Flip on Short Edge” or “Flip on Long Edge.”

How do I set my default printer on Linux?

Setting the default printer is done as follows:

lpoptions -d

lpoptions -d