Printers :: What is the FULL procedure printing?  (frugal)



The thing about /etc/profile and /etc/bashrc is, that most scripts are migrating to ash and as far as I know it doesn't read any of those files (at least the busybox ash)..
What's wrong with having multiple spoolers loaded?  How do I tell if I have multiple spoolers loaded?  If having multiple spoolers loaded is a problem, how do I get rid of the excess spoolers?
The contents of my /opt/printcap file:
# APS1_BEGIN:printer1
# - don't delete start label for apsfilter printer1
# - no other printer defines between BEGIN and END LABEL
lp|stp/escp2-740;r=300x300;q=medium;c=full;p=letter;m=auto:\
   :lp=/dev/usb/lp0:\
   :if=/usr/etc/apsfilter/basedir/bin/apsfilter:\
   :sd=/var/spool/lpd/lp:\
   :lf=/var/spool/lpd/lp/log:\
   :af=/var/spool/lpd/lp/acct:\
   :mx#0:\
   :sh:
# APS1_END - don't delete this

The contents of /opt/apsfilter look OK.

However, there is NOTHING under /var/spool/lpd/lp, not even hidden files.  IS THIS MY PROBLEM?
I reinstalled the printer, printing (using the lpr -h -Plp some_text.txt command)  now works, and there is content under the /var/spool/lpd/lp directory.

So my problem is that the /var/spool/lpd/lp wasn't saving even though I have this directory included in the .filetool.lst file.  Everything else listed saves, but /var/spool/lpd/lp does not.  WHY NOT?
Quote (jhsu @ June 23 2008,15:05)
I reinstalled the printer, printing (using the lpr -h -Plp some_text.txt command)  now works, and there is content under the /var/spool/lpd/lp directory.

So my problem is that the /var/spool/lpd/lp wasn't saving even though I have this directory included in the .filetool.lst file.  Everything else listed saves, but /var/spool/lpd/lp does not.  WHY NOT?

..because /var files are generally invoked by other programs, in this case printcap.  (work to be done; printer spool directory)  Here is a definition  of spool:


"To spool (which stands for "simultaneous peripheral operations online") a computer document or task list (or "job") is to read it in and store it, usually on a hard disk or larger storage medium so that it can be printed or otherwise processed at a more convenient time (for example, when a printer is finished printing its current document). One can envision spooling as reeling a document or task list onto a spool of thread so that it can be unreeled at a more convenient time."  from Whatis?com
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