HP RJ40 on sneaker net

[StrayBit]

Is it possible to 'install' a printer such that it will print to a floppy for the printer at a different location?  And where can I find info on doing this?

I'm currently using VL5.9 standard and have no printers at this location.  Man cups is not available and Menu/Help/Printing says the printer must already be configured.

Hopefully, the instructions could also be used on VL6.0-RC3.  I may get that installed on another machine today or tomorrow.

[uelsk8s]

most apps have a "print to file" checkbox
maybe that will work?

[StrayBit]

Hopefully that will work. 

I will be going online to prepare a tax return.  While the return can be filed electronically, we still need to print file copies.  Most applications that I have used, including this one, (at least in Windows) have required the printer to be installed so that it knows how to print the (graphical) return.

[GrannyGeek]

Print to PDF should work on any printer. I don't know if you're using a tax program, but many (most?) do have an option to create a PDF. You could then sneakernet the file to the computer with the printer.

On VL 5.9 I have cups-pdf installed, which has worked well. I don't know how or if it works with RC3. Or print to a PostScript file and use the ps2pdf or pstopdf utility.

To print to file in Windows you need to have the printer driver installed for the printer on which you'll print the file. You don't need the actual printer, just the driver. The port would be "File."

I don't see "File" as a device in CUPS, but I imagine you could select LPR/LPD and set up a dummy address for the printer and install the CUPS driver for the target printer. Then print to file in your application.

If this works, let us know.
--GrannyGeek

[StrayBit]

Unfortunately, the tax program I was going to use (and have used for several years) required Windows 2003 or later or Mac - not only no Linux option, but it would NOT let me proceed!  At least for their on-line version.  As it has been a couple of years since I purchased their cds, I don't kinow if that restriction applies there although I don't remember a Linux option then.  (Of course I didn't have Linux working then either  )

I still have a 5.9 installation and just got 6.0 installed.  I should have something that I need to print soon and will report back my succes.

Thank you Granny for your suggestions and I will keep them in mind.

[StrayBit]

When I try to print, I get the printer dialog which allows me to select a printer - it is empty.

I don't know how to set up to print to a pdf file but will keep looking.

I also received an Epson Stylus C60 last week.  Currently have it hooked via USB but it hasn't been found - even during a reinstall of 5.9 and attempts to install other versions have failed, although I might be able to continue 6.0-RC4.