UNIX and Linux Printing for MultiFunction Peripherals
The administration, installation and support of printers and UNIX and
Linux printing systems can be difficult endeavors in comparison to Windows
and Macintosh. Windows users benefit from a simple, integrated printing
interface that gives them access to their printer driver options at
the point of print. Until recently, this has not been the case with
the UNIX/Linux operating systems.
No Standard Linux or UNIX Printing API Exists
The major underlying difference in printing from a Windows client as
opposed to a Linux client is that in Windows a common print system/spooler
exists that has an application program interface or API. This API allows
for application programmers to link their software with the operating
systems default print system/spooler. This is not the case with Linux
and UNIX printing as no API currently exists, due to the fact that no
standards have been universally adopted. Instead there are a variety
of UNIX and Linux print systems/spoolers that are being used and subsequently
dictated by OS vendors.
Supporting UNIX and Linux Printing is costly and difficult
This makes printing on these systems a challenge for both OEM's and
end-users alike. The OEM's systems support personnel or customer IT
staff must take the time to develop and write scripts that give users
access to a devices finishing features. Even with the support of the
vendor, printing in these environments can be complicated as these scripts
are OEM specific and often times imperfect or incomplete.
In the August 2002 issue of 'The MFP Report' Grant Taylor (Linuxprinting.org)
states that MFP printing "hasn't changed substantially" since he presented
to the MultiFunction Products Association in 2000. He also stated that
MFP printing "barely" or "rarely" works with Linux.
BrightQ
Linux and UNIX Printing Made Simple
As the use of Linux in the enterprise grows, so does the demand for
a robust, unified printing interface that supports both the Linux OS
and the established UNIX markets as well as the spoolers commonly used
in these environments. Until the release of BrightQ, there was no one
Linux printing or UNIX printing solution that provided a unified spooler
interface across all Linux distributions and supported variants of UNIX.
Additionally, BrightQ is simple to use and give users of MFPs full
access to a devices advanced finishing features through its highly intuitive
graphical user interface.
