Re: [aclug-L] ghostscrpt and lpd

[John Goerzen <jgoerzen@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

lpd is the print spooling system.  It is responsible for scheduling
print jobs, filtering them if necessary, ordering them, and sending
them off to the printer or network as necessary.

Ghostscript is a program to view or convert PostScript or PDF files to 
different formats.  PostScript is the standard format under Unix for
printing data that is more complex than ASCII text.  (This is a much
more powerful way to do it than in Windows, BTW).  Some printers have
hardware support for PostScript; for those, Ghostscript does not enter 
the picture and lpd passes the information directly to the printer.

In the early days, all printers generally used for this sort of thing
supported PostScript.  These days, people want to print graphics on
dot-matrix, ink jet, and cheaper laser printers (and others).  Most of 
these don't have PostScript support (excepting some HP lasers).  This
is where Ghostscript comes in.

In true Linux fashion, any program that is interactive can generally
be automated.  If you are printing Postscript files to a non-PS
printer, the system calls Ghostscript to interpret the PS files and
convert them to a form that your printer is capable of understanding.

John

phrostie <phrostie@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:

> can some one explain the association between ghostscript and lpd.
> when ever i have a problem with lpd i get told to update my gs and or gs
> fonts.
> 
> -- 
> phrostie@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> 
> Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of dos
> and danced the skies on Linux silvered wings
> 
> ---
> This is the Air Capitol Linux Users Group discussion list.  If you
> want to unsubscribe, send the word "unsubscribe" to
> aclug-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx.  If you want to post to the list, send your
> message to aclug-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx.
> 

-- 
John Goerzen   Linux, Unix consulting & programming   jgoerzen@xxxxxxxxxxxx |
Developer, Debian GNU/Linux (Free powerful OS upgrade)       www.debian.org |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Visit the Air Capital Linux Users Group on the web at http://www.aclug.org
---
This is the Air Capitol Linux Users Group discussion list.  If you
want to unsubscribe, send the word "unsubscribe" to
aclug-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx.  If you want to post to the list, send your
message to aclug-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx.