4. Printing and Faxing from Applications

GNU/Linux applications support a simple printing method based on a program called kprinter which can even be used to build PDF files and to send faxes.

4.1. Accessing KPrinter

Just click on any application's print button to invoke the printing interface. In most cases, this is kprinter. Select the different printing settings and click on the Print button to start printing.

Every X application which supports the definition of its printing command can use kprinter. All you have to do is invoke the application's print options, look for an option named “Print command”, “Printer”, “Printer Options” or similar, and fill it with kprinter --stdin. Then when clicking on the Print button kprinter's main window is displayed (no actual document will be printed at this point).

4.2. KPrinter's Interface

kprinter allows you to set many options for printing your documents[9], such as the output device (generally a physical, local or remote printer), the number of copies, the paper size, the printer resolution, etc.

Figura 10.5. KPrinter Window

KPrinter Window

Choose the printer using the pull-down list in the Printer section. You can further configure the printer settings by clicking on the Properties button. Click on the Options >> button at the bottom to set more printing options and on the System Options button to access global printing configuration.

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Usually, your local printer, the “Print to file” printers (both PDF and Postscript) and the “Fax” printer are listed. However, if you are in a network, all printers available on the network will be listed too, so network printing becomes very simple.

4.2.1. Printer Properties

Figura 10.6. Printer Properties Window

Printer Properties Window

One option worth mentioning is Pages per sheet (set to 2 in the example). This allows you to put up to 4 pages onto a single sheet of paper (or 8 if you can print on both sides). This is a nice feature to save paper when printing book drafts or other lengthy material which changes often.

Figura 10.7. Changing Printer Resolution

Changing Printer Resolution

Click on the Driver Settings tab to change printer-specific options such as the resolution of the printing device. When you click on the Resolution option the available resolutions are displayed, select the one you want from the list.

Other settings include printing modes which use much less toner or ink (search for something like “Economy Mode”, “Toner Density” or “Toner Saving”). However, the output is much paler. If this is not available, choosing a lower resolution often has similar effects.

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Use the Save button to store current settings, making them the defaults for subsequent printing jobs.

4.3. Building PDF Files

Select the Print To File (PDF) special printer, enter the file name in the Output file field as shown in Figura 10.8, “Generating a PDF File”, and click on Print to build a PDF file.

Figura 10.8. Generating a PDF File

Generating a PDF File

4.4. Sending Faxes

The special Send To Fax printer allows you to send the document you are working on directly by fax[10]. When you click on the Print button, a dialog (Figura 10.9, “Faxing Main Window”) will appear.

Figura 10.9. Faxing Main Window

Faxing Main Window

The first time you need to make sure that your fax modem is properly configured, select SettingsConfigure KdeprintFax from the menu. Fill the information under the Personal section with your name, company and fax number. In the System section make sure that the correct faxing system and its corresponding parameters are set. An example is shown in Figura 10.10, “Fax Settings”.

Figura 10.10. Fax Settings

Fax Settings

Fill in the Fax number field and click on the Send Fax button, or press the Enter key, to send the fax immediately.

The View Log button (Ctrl-L) shows a window with the fax activity log (check it to make sure your fax has been sent correctly).

The Address Book button (Ctrl-A) opens the KDE address book to let you select fax numbers to dial.



[9] The actual printing options you are able to set depend on the output device you have selected.

[10] Of course a modem fax must be installed on your computer and connected to the phoine line.