PRINTER command - ON WINDOWS

[Nancy Palmquist]

Nancy Palmquist wrote:
> Just wondered if anyone had tried this:
> 
> I wanted to change the PRINTER like this:
> 
> PRINTER "WIN:\\metro\myprinter"
> 
> Now the printer is in the Printer table:
> 
> Printer name: joe
> Printer Type: hplaser
> Printer command: WIN:\\metro\myprinter
> Printer comment:  Joes printer
> 
> I currently use
> 
> PRINTER name "joe" to affect a change of printer.  Can I also or instead do
> 
> PRINTER "WIN:\\metro\myprinter"
> 
> and override whatever printer is currently working and the destination 
> of the printing.
> 
> Just wondering if this will work.  I know on Unix it will do
> 
> PRINTER "lp -dmyprinter -s"
>   so I thought it might do this on windows.
> _______________________________________________

Since, no one had an answer.  I tried the command myself.  And it seems to work 
just like I hoped.  So I am posting this for the rest of the users.

If I execute:

PRINTER "WIN:\\metro\myprinter" which is the DESTINATION COMMAND as shown for a 
printer, it will send the output to that printer just the same as if I said:

PRINTER NAME "joe"

Of course, I included the printer type to insure that it was set correctly.


So in summary, I found this:

Printer type "hplaser"
Printer name "joe"

Did the same thing as:

printer type "hplaser"
printer "WIN:\\metro\myprinter"

So as a way to put the printer info in a database, it seemed to work as I 
wanted.  Now when a printer breaks down, it will be easier to go to a setup 
screen for the printer and change the DESTINATION COMMAND right there.  We have 
such a record to keep track of the check numbers in the print trays and the 
Windows Printer name needed to print tif or pdf images and the filePro printer 
name, so I wanted to be able to handle a DESTINATION change for filepro in the 
same place.

I could not find any issues using this in this manner.  I was worried about the 
WIN: part causing some kind of issue.

So I hope this helps someone else.

Nancy




-- 
Nancy Palmquist 		MOS & filePro Training Available
Virtual Software Systems	Web Based Training and Consulting	
PHONE: (412) 835-9417		   Web site:  http://www.vss3.com