
HOW TO INSTALL a2print
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Become root,
I recommend that you install a2print in /usr/local/lib/a2print directory.

So...just create directory /usr/local/lib/a2print and copy all the files
to it. Then create symlink to file "a2print" in some directory in your
path like /usr/local/bin, or just move a2print to that directory. Whatever
you like more.

IMPORTANT!

If you don't want to install in /usr/local/lib/a2print directory then you
HAVE TO edit the first line of "a2printrc" file and change it to correct
installation directory!
I don't recommend installing in some other directory because when a2print
is started for the first time it looks for a2printrc file in
/usr/local/lib/a2print directory only, and exits if it cannot find it.
So, this way, all new users will have to copy the default configuration
file a2printrc from install dir to ~/.a2print/a2printrc

JUST TO MAKE SHURE:

file "a2print" has to be executable.
other files have to be readable but they don't need to be writable or
executable.

That's all! But if you have a non-postscript printer and intend to print
on it using a2print (via ghostscript) than you have to make sure you have
a proper printer installed...

NON-POSTSCRIPT PRINTER INSTALLATION

You need to define a printer in your /etc/printcap file. That printer has
to be configured in that way that data passed to 'lpr' is passed to your
printer without any changes (no filters needed).
Entry in my /etc/printcap file looks just like this (you can add it to
your /etc/printcap if you don't allready have the similar thing:

a2print:lp=/dev/lp1:sd=/usr/spool/lpd/a2print:sh\
        :lf=/var/log/lpd-errs:\
        :sd=/usr/spool/lpd/a2print:\
        :sh:mx#0:
 
To learn more about configuring /etc/printcap try 'man printcap' or read
the "printing HOWTO". Just copying this to your /etc/printcap may not
work! Anyway, if you do that, RESTART LPD (printing deamon) or changes
will not take effect. (you can simply reboot also)

If you are too lazy to read documentation of "printcap" and this doesn't
work for you, try this:

Edit your /etc/printcap file:
	1. find some printer description that looks similar to this:

lp:lp=/dev/lp1:sd=/usr/spool/lpd/lp1:sh\
       :if=<..something here..>:\
       :lf=/var/log/lpd-errs:\
       :sd=/usr/spool/lpd/lp1:\
       :sh:mx#0:

	2. If you need this printer ("lp") copy those lines to the end of
printcap. If you dont need this printer just proceed to 3.

	3. delete line: ":if=<..something here..>:\
	4. change the name of the printer:
	first line becomes:
myname:lp=/dev/lp1:sd=/usr/spool/lpd/lp1:sh\ 
	
	5. restart 'lpd' or reboot!
	6. dont forget to use this printer name (here it is "myname") in
a2print!!!

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mail me if you have any problems with installation:

All comments and suggestions are VERY WELCOMED!

Mirko Vukusic   (mirko@efst.hr)
Doverska 33
21000 Split
Croatia

http://www.efst.hr/~mirko/a2print
