On May 24, 2005, at 12:07 PM, Kristine Larson wrote:
I am trying to determine the feasibility of the following:
- user prints from any application and selects my printer
- printing launches my application, which displays the content being
printed (nothing is actually "printed")
I am trying to gather together information as to whether this is
possible, how difficult, etc.
I would appreciate any advice as to where to start researching this -
I have read Introduction to the Mac OSX Printing System. There seems
to be a number of documents on printing... I am sure I will
eventually read the majority of them... but would like to narrow down
the field for this initial estimate. Should I be looking at the CUPs
/ custom backend stuff, a printer module, a ppd file...
all help appreciated,
thanks,
Kris
There are a number of technical hurdles you will have to overcome:
- The printing system typically runs filters as user "lp", not the
current user.
- There might be multiple users logged in (either via fast user
switching or ssh). If user "A" prints, how do you ensure your UI is
only displayed to that user?
- There might not be any local users logged in. The print job might
have been sent from another machine using Printer Sharing.
A better way to attack this would be if you could describe what it is
you are trying to accomplish (i.e. why do you need UI? what does it
do?) Then, someone here might be able to suggest alternative ways of
getting there.
Dave
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In English, every word can be verbed.
