Foo - One more linux question, printers on a network

Alright this something i've been meaning to get around to for nearly a year, but just never did. That is, networking to share a printer with my mother. WE are both on the same router, it can be done.
However then Linux entered, and I am torn if i want to at it or not. How much of a chore will it be to setup a shared printer with Linux? This makes me nervous....

Easier to just get a printer-server and plug the printer directly into the network...

Easier to just get a printer-server and plug the printer directly into the network...

I agree. Linux is still behind the time when it comes to printer management.

I don't know where linux is in built in windows connectivity, but it might be easier to install the printer on the windows box and share to the linux box. Either way and nice print server would take minutes to setup, or an ip based printer. Or a new router with built in print serving :)

There's a bunch of info on this at the linux documentation project. tldp.com or .org or something. google will get ya there straightaway.

The trouble I'm having is getting my wife's mac to see the printer on my win2k box. It may be time to just get an ethernet-equipped printer.

The trouble I'm having is getting my wife's mac to see the printer on my win2k box. It may be time to just get an ethernet-equipped printer.Turn on the "windows sharing" on the Mac...

depends on the printer, if it will work with CUPS its quite easy, and its easier to use the linux box as a print server

Thanks folks. THe printer is an HP all in one, but i would use it only to print. I am going to do some research and figure out how to configure a print server, as it seems the best thing to do

I personally prefer a dedicated network-capable print-server as it's less hassle when say I have to do maintenance on the box that would be hosting the printer. That said, CUPS as the above poster mentioned works fine and the printer can be shared to a Windows domain via Samba or Windows users can just print through IP.

depends on the printer, if it will work with CUPS its quite easy, and its easier to use the linux box as a print server

Man you must have some complex print servers. Standard install - plug in, assign ip via web interface, plug in printer, it works. Can't get a whole lot easier than that.

nope, just linux doesnt like printers w/o a brain-----lots and lots of printers are like "winmodems" and most makers do not cater to linux, IOW stay away from lexmark for example

printers that can handle postscript or jpl and many of the HP's work fine

I agree. Linux is still behind the time when it comes to printer management.


- not true, IMO... Linux can provide printing services quite easily for a variety of platforms... for example, use SWAT (Web-based interface) to set up SMB... or configure traditional UNIX print services, along with accounting... you can also set up print services for legacy Mac OS nets using Netatalk!

- try that with any Windows-based print server!

(i have a Fedora Core 3 system w/an attached HP648C that works great for Windows, Linux, or Mac OS X!)

p.s. in all fairness however, we just got an HP7410 all-in-one w/wireless that is platform-agnostic... kinda cool to do a wireless scan!

Easier to just get a printer-server and plug the printer directly into the network...

Even easier, just get a Mac. {somebody had to say it**

nope, just linux doesnt like printers w/o a brain-----lots and lots of printers are like "winmodems" and most makers do not cater to linux, IOW stay away from lexmark for example

printers that can handle postscript or jpl and many of the HP's work fine

Lexmarks/Dells just plain blow anyways. I favour Xerox for my big multifunctions and hps for the interoffice printers.

To be honest platform portability isn't really a concern. Macs make up an insignifigant number in canada for pc usage.

I will give swat a try.