🚀 go-pugleaf

Nearly all of the Postscript printing that I have been involved with,
(either as a user or in setting up Postscript printers on Unix systems
with Network Print Servers, such as an Emulex P3000 or the Milan Fastport), 
has been in a "one-way-mode" (i.e. sending a Postscript file to a black & 
white or color Postscript printer).  

I understand that many Postscript printers can send status information back 
to the host, but I would like to know how often this "two-way" flow of 
information is really needed.  Is the ability to receive information back 
from a Postscript printer really needed in "day-to-day" usage with 
applications that generate Postscript, or is mainly used to debug 
Postscript programs or obtain status or other types of information from the 
printer ? 

I am asking this because several vendors of Postscript printers are
insisting that we buy their TCP/IP network interface hardware, instead
of using a Network Print Server, because this "two-way" flow of
information in Postscript printing is critical. After 6 months of
setting up a few pilot systems with Sun and SGI Unix systems, Network 
Print Servers, and Postscript printers such as a Tektronix Phaser IIIpxi 
or Apple LaserWriter, I have yet to see a need for this  "two-way" flow of
information at a user level. Can someone clarify this or point me towards
any publications that can clarify this issue ? 
 
If this "two-way" flow of information is really needed, how is this 
integrated into a spooling system, such as a BSD lpr/lpd system, and a 
"production" environment where users are printing documents very often
(i.e. Not a limited usage environment where a user could monopolize a printer
for a given period of the day) ?
 

Thank you



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Ronald R. Rivett                            voice: (216) 433-8281
Sverdrup Technology                 
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