[linux-help] Re: Linux Printing and "Typesetting"

[Nate Bargmann <n0nb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

* Lars von dem Ast <mrprenzl@xxxxxxxxxx> [2002 Jan 18 21:08 -0600]:
> 
> I'd like to know about such things as doing documents with Tex/Latex and or 
> troff etc. I've seen .ps files that look great, as well as Tex stuff, but I 
> don't know where to begin with Linux "typesetting". Also, can a good, cheap 
> HP inkjet do Linux printing of these sorts of files like .ps and .dvi etc.?

I haven't used Tex directly, but indirectly through Docbook.  Docbook is
a set of SGML elements that look a lot like HTML, but there is no
software (to my knowledge) that will read a SGML file and display it or
printed.  The common way to create other document types is by use of the
jade utility to create outputs like HTML, .pdf .ps, etc.

To create .pdf files jade creates a Tex file then another utility,
pdfjadetex, is called to create the .pdf and generate the table of
contents, etc.

As for printers, yes, inkjets are supported under lpr, but you'll want
to use a filter package such as Magicfilter, CUPS, or the like.  The
filter takes the .ps, image, or even plain text file and formats it for
PCL (for HP) or for the printer's native format.  I'm fortunate enough
to have a Lexmark 4029 laser with built-in postscript (although I do use
the filter and PCL at times) that does a very nice job.

A final comment on HP printers; I wouldn't spend my money on one.  My
experience from work is that they are cheaply built and about 85%
debugged.  This goes for the later models of Laserjets too.  I think HP
is too focused on the home market and rushes the products out and then
introduces a new model before the older models can be properly
supported.  I think I would look toward Lexmark with my dollars.  YMMV!

- Nate >>

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