Printing using Raspberry Pi  ???

Good question Fergus. I was going to try CUPS later. Now I shall watch this thread like a hawk. Thanks.

I am told that CUPS does not work on ARM.  So what is the alternative? or is there a ported version?

To verify your claims I logged into my raspberry pi, I typed "apt-get install cups-bsd" (because I like the bsd-interface for printing), and it pulled in a shitload of packages.

Next I typed "lpr spiro2.ps" and I got a pleasing pattern out of my printer.

spiro2.ps contains the following data:

%!PS-Adobe-1.0

%%BoundingBox: 0 0 596 842

/cshow { dup stringwidth pop 2 div 0 exch sub 0 rmoveto show } def

(Times-Roman) findfont 7 scalefont setfont

72 25.4 div dup scale

0.1 setlinewidth

/cx 105 def

/cy 150 def

/r1x 65 def

/r1y 110 def

/r2x 35 def

/r2y 35 def

/fac 9.95 def

0

dup

    dup sin r1x mul exch fac mul sin r2x mul add cx add exch

    dup cos r1y mul exch fac mul cos r2y mul add cy add moveto

0 0.1 7200 {

dup

    dup sin r1x mul exch fac mul sin r2x mul add cx add exch

    dup cos r1y mul exch fac mul cos r2y mul add cy add lineto

} for

stroke

showpage

So to answer your question: Cups just works, I have no reason to believe it doesn't work on "ARM".

(there might be binary drivers for specialized printers that don't work. But in general it just works. Especially for network-printing there is no reason it should not work.)

I believe cups is supplied with the Fedora14 Arm remix,

and presumably with Fedora17 whenever that arrives.

I have a HP 5510 networked printer and after installing

sudo apt-get install cups.bsd

the printer works perfectly  (only tried from Office Writer)

Thats great Brian. Can I ask is the HP only available via the network or do you have a usb to the Pi. I have two similar printers and have installed cups but although it saw both printers on reboot they both disappeared never to return.

Hi Ray,

The HP 5510 Photosmart is connected to the network via WiFi.  The RPi is connected  to the network via ethernet.  ( I am having trouble with a WiFi connection for the RPi)

When I was installing a different package I was shocked to see   ¨HP 5510¨   appear in the boot-up list.  On subsequent reboots it has never appeared, but towards the end of the list it says "Starting Common Unix Printing System:"

I have had trouble with a powered  hub.  I have recently discovered the problem.  I was using an Apple USB keyboard, and this has a built-in hub.  The RPi did not like a hub in a hub situation.  A cheap KB from eBay solved that problem.  Now to get the thing using WiFi.  Again, I think its all down to which WiFi adaptor.  I think a driver is included in the Debian6 Squeeze build, but .....   which one, and for which adaptor ?

Thanks Brian. Yes both of my printers appeared in the boot list as you suggest but not since. Mine also shows its startng Cups OK.

The WiFi adapter seems to be an issue common with debian installs. I have had it before on non Arm devices. I have tried all the tricks with no avail so far. I will keep on trying and reporting back. My adapter is Belkin F6D4050 V1 = rt2870sta

Good luck to all waiting for their Pi's you will find its worth it.

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I will test this out whenever I find sometime (very busy this week)

What image are you using??