[OPLINTECH] wireless printing

[Tyra Ealy]

We are using Envisionware’s LPT:One and are able to consistently provide cost-based printing to the public whether on our machines or their laptops.  We have a little script that can be downloaded when connecting to our wireless network that then installs the printer driver and LPT:One control.  It is automatically uninstalled when the patron shuts down his laptop.  More information can be obtained from our Asst. I.T. Manager, Greg Ricker, rickerg at wtcpl.org

Tyra

 

 

Tyra L. Ealy

Information Technology Manager

Warren-Trumbull County Public Library

444 Mahoning Ave. NW

Warren, OH 44483

330-399-8807, ext. 140

http://www.wtcpl.org <http://www.wtcpl.org/> 

 

 

 

 

From: oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org [mailto:oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org] On Behalf Of Chad Neeper
Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 2:55 PM
To: oplintech at lists.oplin.org
Subject: Re: [OPLINTECH] wireless printing

 

It's usually easy enough to use your favorite print management solution to handle printing on library-owned computers, regardless of whether or not the library-owned computer is a desktop/laptop wired/wireless. However, providing a printer for patrons who bring their own laptop to the library can be a bit of a pain. The problem is that there isn't really a universal print driver that can work on all wireless devices and all printers. There have been a few half-hearted attempts by various printer manufacturers, but not sufficient. There are some commercially available options, however, such as what Lynne mentioned about CASSIE/Librarica. If you usage is low, however, it can be very hard to justify the costs.

Until we can find a cost-effective (preferably free open source) method to print from any device to a wide selection of printers without needing to do any complex printer driver installation and configuration on the patron's wireless device, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of options. For a few of my libraries that provide printing for patrons with their own wireless devices, we try to provide an older, very industry standard printer that is likely to have drivers built into or readily available to the widest number of operating systems possible. I like to use older Hewlett-Packard LaserJet printers because they have been around forever and the drivers are often readily available in the base operating system without requiring additional downloads. Then we just have to provide the IP address and the printer's model to the customer and tell them "good luck". (The staff can't be placed into a position of trying to install or configure the drivers on patron devices.) Less than ideal.

If anyone has a better way, I'm all ears!

Also FWIW, Google seems to be working on their own version of cloud-based printing:  http://code.google.com/apis/cloudprint/docs/overview.html



______________________________
Chad Neeper
Senior Systems Engineer

Level 9 Networks
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)

Full LAN/WAN consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and schools


On 9/28/2010 2:07 PM, Sandy Thaxton wrote: 

Hi everyone,
 
It was suggested that I post to this list, (Thanks Bob!) as I only 
received a couple responses on oplinlist.
 
Here is my original post:
 
May I ask how many of you have wireless printing available? How is it
set up? Is it software? Anything you don't like about it?
Thank you!
 
Sandy Thaxton
MLJ-Hardin County District Library
Kenton, OH 43326
 
 
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