laserwriter(1)

NAME
     laserwriter - driver for PostScript printers

SYNOPSIS
     laserwriter [-P printername] [-L logfilename]
                 [-D] [-S papersize] [-s] [-e]
                 [-w] [-t] [inputfile]

DESCRIPTION
     laserwriter is a System V printer driver for PostScript printers.  The
     laserwriter driver communicates with the printer via a serial interface
     port.


DESCRIPTION
     The laserwriter driver is a  driver for Apple LaserWriter-compatible
     printers attached to the built-in (/dev/ttyd*) serial ports.  laserwriter
     uses libpod(3) functions to keep the printer object database (POD)
     current, provide feedback on any engine errors encountered.


     The driver opens and maintains the POD files for the specified printer.
     The file <printername>.config contains the detailed information on the
     printer's capabilities, <printername>.status contains the information on
     operational status of the printer, and <printername>.log contains the
     information on print job history.  For more information on printer
     database files refer to the libpod(3) man page.


     While laserwriter has the port open, it performs an advisory file lock on
     the parallel port, thereby ensuring that only one laserwriter accesses
     the printer at a time.


     -P printername
               Required: Specifies the printer name, as installed under the
               SGI spooler, and as visible in the printer manager.


     -L logfilename
               Specify the name of the file for writing the print spool log
               information. If logfilename is not specified, then the driver
               writes the information to standard error. The logfilename is
               not the same as the printer database log file in
               /var/spool/lp/pod. This option is provided only for
               compatibility with the System V spooler architecture.


     -D        Turns on debugging information.  Four levels of debugging
               information are supported: none, coarse detail, medium detail,
               and fine detail.  These correspond to 0, 1, 2, and 3 or more -D
               switches given on the command line.  That is, multiple -D
               options given on the command line result in progressively more
               detailed debugging information.


     -S papersize
               Specify the paper size. The default page size is A. The legal
               values are A, A4, Legal and B5. The driver defaults to A size
               paper if the papersize value is invalid.


     -s        specifies that the driver should exit after ascertaining
               printer status and updating the POD status file.  If an error
               is encountered, however, laserwriter will block unless the -e
               switch is given as well. If a quick status update is what you
               want, invoke laserwriter with both the -s and the -e options to
               insure that laserwriter exits promptly.


     -e        Specify this flag to exit immediately on fault.  In the absence
               of this flag, the driver waits indefinitely for faults to
               clear.


     -w        Specify this flag to suppress warning messages in the printer
               status file. By default the warning messages are written to the
               printer status file.


     -t        Print a test page. When this option is specified the input file
               and standard error are ignored and a test page is printed.


     [inputfile]
               Specify the name of the file to be printed. If inputfile is not
               specified, then the driver reads the input from its standard
               input.

SEE ALSO
     impressario(1), printstatus(1), printpanel(1), printers(1), libpod(3).