----- Original Message ----- From: "David Willmor"

We are currently implementing a new Learning Resources Centre with 100 new PC's running Windows 98. We are looking for a way for all machines to send their printouts to a single machine which a member of staff can use to send to a specific non-networked printer.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Tricky, because of the management of viewing the files. No good solutions. but a few ideas... One could (probably) print to file (see below) using a postscript format and then (not sure if one is available for this purpose - I wrote a simple one years ago, but have long since lost the source!) 'view' the resultant file before printing it. Ever looked at a post script file? loads of space required! One could of course drop the (un-printed) files into a folder the pupil can write to and the teacher has read/write access to. This requires all files to have a unique file name - this is one of the failures of the RM "homework" system. - we use the kids name & title, The file can then be pre-viewed/printed from this location - problems with versions can also arise. Alternatively the teacher has read/write access to each child's folder - less files generated. Crude method, turn off/suspend the print server, check each child's work over his shoulder, when the whole class is in sync (yeah, right) turn the print service back on. This may effect too many other users. Use VNC. a member of staff can then look at the desktop/take control of a desktop and give permission to print. PC, UNIX, LINUX, MAC (I think!) versions are available, as is one that stops the client machines from changing settings/turning the server off! I don't have any links here, but will post them to you when I get back on Monday (remind me please!) I was going to use this with my proposed LINUX system :-) , and just about to implement it with our RM system. :-( Educate the child to use print preview! and of course educate the teaching staff! What we do - Our resource centre only has 25 PCs and 3 laser + 1 Colour printer & a scanner spread over two floors. - Allocate printer credits to the pupils, and charge for additional credits if the child does not have a legitimate reason for having extra credits - this may be difficult in a state school - What happens in a state school if extra/replacement day books are required? Adrian

We are currently implementing a new Learning Resources Centre with 100 new PC's running Windows 98. We are looking for a way for all machines to send their printouts to a single machine which a member of staff can use to send to a specific non-networked printer.

Have the print queue set up to hold all print jobs. Using LPRng that simply requires "ah" in the printcap entry. Then the staff member simply needs to explicitally release jobs with "lpc release". -- Mark Evans St. Peter's CofE High School Phone: +44 1392 204764 X109 Fax: +44 1392 204763