5. Printing and Faxing from Applications

5. Printing and Faxing from Applications
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GNU/Linux applications support a simple printing method based on a program called KPrinter which can even be used to build PDF files and to send faxes.

5.1. Accessing KPrinter

Just click on any application's print button to invoke the printing interface. In most cases, this is KPrinter. Select the required print settings and click on the Print button to start printing.

5.2. KPrinter's Interface

KPrinter allows you to set many options for printing your documents^[3], such as the output device (generally a physical, local or remote printer), the number of copies, the paper size, the printer resolution, etc.

Figure 3.7. KPrinter Window

Choose the printer using the pull-down list in the Printer section. You can further configure the printer settings by clicking on the Properties button. Click on the Options >> button at the bottom to set more printing options and on the System Options button to access global printing configuration.

	Tip
	Usually, your local printer, the “Print to file” printers (both PDF and Postscript) and the “Fax” printer are listed. However, if you are in a network, all printers available on the network are listed too, so network printing becomes very simple.

5.2.1. Printer Properties

Figure 3.8. Printer Properties Window

One option worth mentioning is Pages per sheet (set to 2 in the example). This allows you to put up to 4 pages onto a single sheet of paper (or 8 if you can print on both sides). This is a nice feature to save paper when printing book drafts or other lengthy material which changes often.

Figure 3.9. Changing Printer Resolution

Click on the Driver Settings tab to change printer-specific options such as the resolution of the printing device. When you click on the Resolution option the available resolutions are displayed, select the one you want from the list.

Other settings include printing modes which use less toner or ink (search for something like “Economy Mode”, “Toner Density” or “Toner Saving”). However, the output is much paler. If this is not available, choosing a lower resolution often has similar effects.

	Tip
	Use the Save button to store current settings, making them the defaults for subsequent printing jobs.

5.3. Building PDF Files

Select the Print To File (PDF) special printer, enter the file name in the Output file field as shown in Figure 3.10, “Generating a PDF File”, and click on Print to build a PDF file.

Figure 3.10. Generating a PDF File

5.4. Sending Faxes

5.4.1. Through a Modem

The special Send To Fax printer allows you to send the document you are working on directly by fax^[4]. When you click on the Print button, a dialog similar to the one shown in Figure 3.11, “Faxing Main Window” appears.

Figure 3.11. Faxing Main Window

The first time you select this function you need to make sure that your fax modem is properly configured, select Settings → Configure KdeprintFax from the menu. Fill the information under the Personal section with your name, company and fax number. In the System section make sure that the correct faxing system and its corresponding parameters are set. An example is shown in Figure 3.12, “Fax Settings”.

Select the fax number from the list (or add a new entry for the number you are trying to reach) and click on the Send Fax button, or press the Enter key, to send the fax immediately.

The View Log button (Ctrl-L) shows a window with the fax activity log (check it to make sure your fax has been sent correctly).

The Address Book button (Ctrl-A) opens the KDE address book to let you select fax numbers to dial.

Figure 3.12. Fax Settings

5.4.2. Through an HP Multifunction Device

If you are the owner of an HP multifunction printer (print, scan, fax), and already installed it (see Section 6, “Configuring Printers with PrinterDrake”), then you have a special virtual printer available that queues documents to be faxed.

Procedure 3.1. Print to the Fax Queue

Using any application, just print your document using the special “Fax printer” (something like HPOJe6110FAX).

Tip

You can print various documents to have them sent in a single fax session.
Launch the HP Send Fax application from the main menu (Office+Communications+Fax → HP Sendfax).

Procedure 3.2. Send the Fax

Documents to be faxed

Check the documents you printed appear in the items list.
Specify recipients

Click the Address Book button and add new recipients if necessary. Then put a check mark for the recipients in the Recipients tab.
Send Faxes

Just press the Send Fax button when you're set.

^[3]The actual printing options you are able to set depend on the output device you have selected.

^[4]Of course a modem fax must be installed on your computer and connected to the phone line.

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	Tip
	You can print various documents to have them sent in a single fax session.