Zusammenfassung
Getting printing properly working is a rather complicated task in the administration of a GNU/Linux or Unix system, especially to make use of all the capabilities of a modern printer. One needs a printer spooler which overtakes the printing jobs from applications and network clients, filters to transfer non-PostScript jobs to PostScript and a printer driver which transfers PostScript to the printer's native language. The big problem is to make the spooler calling the correct filters with their long and cryptic command lines and to give the user the possibility to control the capabilities of the printer.
To improve this situation, Grant Taylor has set up a database for information about both free software printer drivers and printers. This database, called Foomatic, lists all free software printer drivers, their command lines and options. It contains also information about more than 1000 printer models. This talk will show how Foomatic evolved, how the database is structured, how PPD files and printer queues are generated with it, how print jobs are processed with it, and what changes, improvements, and new features are planned.
ﾜber den Autor
Till Kamppeter holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics. During that time he was system administrator for Unix and GNU/Linux in the physics department. As system administrator he got to the free software with contributions to X-CD-Roast and later XPP as his first own project. XPP lead him to MandrakeSoft in Paris in August 2000, where he is responsible for the printing and digital imaging in Mandrake Linux.
His main project now is maintaining the www.linuxprinting.org web site with its printer database and the Foomatic software. He improved this system substatially, and currently it is the standard for printer driver intergration in most major GNU/Linux distribution. He is also in the Open Printing Group of FreeStandards.org and has given several talks and presentations on free-software-related events.
