Subject: BSD lpr vs. LPRng

From: Sven Rudolph <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 1996 21:46:08 +0200

I created an LPRng package for Debian. LPRng is an enhanced BSD-like
print spooler and is nearly compatible. (It is available at
ftp://iona.ie/pub/plp/LPRng/ ).

I'm thinking of obsoleting the lpr package by LPRng.

Pros:
- active developer mailing lists
- lot of special print filters (e.g. for HP LaseJet) exist for LPRng
- LPRng has options for distributing printcap via YP, Hesiod etc.
- better permission management

Cons:
- minor incompatibility (needs addditional flag in printcap for
  printing to BSD lpd printers)
- not as widespread as BSD lpr

What do you think about this ? I'd especially like to hear comments
from people who used BSD lpr and LPRng.

	Sven
-- 
Sven Rudolph <[email-masked]> ; WWW : http://www.sax.de/~sr1/

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From: Richard Kaszeta <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 1996 16:09:03 -0500

>- not as widespread as BSD lpr

Well, if its not completely compatible with lpr (a rather
well-entrenched standard), I certainly think it *should not* obsolete
lpr.

Just my opinion...

-- 
Richard W Kaszeta 			Graduate Student/Sysadmin
[email-masked]			University of MN, ME Dept
http://www.menet.umn.edu/~kaszeta

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From: Michael Meskes <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 1996 15:10:21 +0200 (MET DST)

> ftp://iona.ie/pub/plp/LPRng/ ).

Is it's call compatible? Or does the user have to learn a new syntax?

Michael

-- 
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From: Sven Rudolph <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 1996 22:49:19 +0200

> well-entrenched standard), I certainly think it *should not* obsolete

The only incompatibility is that you might have to add a :bk: entry to
the printcap in order to print to a BSD-lpd-based network printer. But
especially in these environments LPRng can make life easier, so I
believe this to be acceptable.

	Sven

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From: Sven Rudolph <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 1996 22:45:14 +0200

> Is it's call compatible? Or does the user have to learn a new syntax?

The commands are the same as in BSD lpr (lpr, lpq, lprm, lpc,
lpd). They have additional options for new features.

	Sven