Tumbleweed - Print help from Gtk apps? Is /etc/printcap still used? What print config does Gtk want?

6 Aug 2024

      All,

   Linux printing has always just worked for my Laserjets. I have a remote 
cups server that handles sending print jobs to an attached printer. This has 
been a great setup.

   In 15.4, I had no problem printing from any app, Gtk, Qt/KDE, command-line, 
it all worked.

   In Tumbleweed, I copied my /etc/printcap file from 15.4, e.g.

$ cat /etc/printcap
# This file was automatically generated by cupsd(8) from the
# /etc/cups/printers.conf file.  All changes to this file
# will be lost.
HPLJ4200|HP LaserJet 4200 Series:rm=wizard:rp=HPLJ4200:
rawqueue|Brother2360:rm=wizard:rp=rawqueue:

   The /etc/cups/printers.conf generated by TW does not have the Brother, but 
does have the LaserJet:

# cat /etc/cups/printers.conf
# Printer configuration file for CUPS v2.4.10
# Written by cupsd
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE WHEN CUPSD IS RUNNING
NextPrinterId 3
<Printer CUPS-PDF>
PrinterId 1
UUID urn:uuid:a21807af-ad74-367d-57be-d06283e78f2b
Info CUPS-PDF
MakeModel Generic CUPS-PDF Printer (w/ options)
DeviceURI cups-pdf:/
State Idle
StateTime 1720392176
ConfigTime 1720392176
Type 8450124
Accepting Yes
Shared Yes
JobSheets none none
QuotaPeriod 0
PageLimit 0
KLimit 0
OpPolicy default
ErrorPolicy stop-printer
</Printer>
<DefaultPrinter LaserJet>
PrinterId 2
UUID urn:uuid:5b1d06f7-b810-35bc-49a8-47e1511cf4aa
AuthInfoRequired none
Info HP LaserJet 4200 Series Postscript (recommended)
MakeModel HP LaserJet 4200 Series Postscript (recommended)
DeviceURI ipp://192.168.6.17/printers/LaserJet
State Idle
StateTime 1722977095
ConfigTime 1722090452
Type 8425668
Accepting Yes
Shared Yes
JobSheets none none
QuotaPeriod 0
PageLimit 0
KLimit 0
OpPolicy default
ErrorPolicy stop-printer
</DefaultPrinter>

   I have the LaserJet set up in Yast/Printer that has both of the printers in 
the printers.conf file listed as Local printers. KDE3 kprinter is fine 
printing to the LaserJet, but Gtk apps (LibreOffice, Firefox) cannot print.

   The lpq command is happy with the print queue:

# lpq
LaserJet is ready
no entries

   But attempting to print from LibreOffice throws the error:

"Could not start printer.
Please check your printer configuration."

   What? I've just checked it all, it's good, why won't Libre of Firefox (Gtk 
apps) print?

   What configuration is it telling me to check? CUPS, Yast and kprinter are 
all happy?

-- 
David C. Rankin, J.D.,P.E.