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SEASnet has one or more laser printers in each computer lab. These network printers allow many users on both UNIX and XP to share a common resource. Duplex or double sided printing are available in all SEASNet walk-in Windows lab. Instructions on how to print two sided can be found here.

Basic commands you should know

From Unix	To print: lpr -Pprintername Example: lpr -Ppr2664-1 homework1.ps To check: lpq -Pprintername Example: lpq -Ppr2664-1 To delete: lprm -Pprintername jobname Example: lprm -Ppr2664-1 job1
From Windows	From the menu bar, click File Þ Print Þ select the nearest printer Þ OK

New user accounts come with 10 free pages; thereafter, 2¢ per page (including tax) is deducted from their accounts. This compensates SEASnet for the costs associated with printing, such as paper, toner, maintenance and upgrades. If you need printing supplies, come to the SEASnet Office in 2684 Boelter Hall. LC’s get 10 free pages every month. Use this for testing printers as needed. The quota is increased each month, but never reduced if you don’t print.

pqi (paper quota info) at the UNIX prompt tells users how many pages they currently have. Users can also look at the banner page that prints with each print job to check their balance and page count. Users do not get charged for the banner page. Banner pages only reflect the amount of pages not yet charged to a students BAR account.

Starting July 2002, all printing is charged directly to users BAR account. If your pquota balance is positive, your BAR account will not be charged until you have used it up. For any questions, please contact SEASnet Help Desk or come see us in 2684 Boelter Hall.

In order for users to receive credit for garbled print jobs, they must bring in the complete print job, including the header page, to the SEASnet Office in 2684 Boelter Hall. If the problem was software related (like a corrupted print driver) or equipment related (like low toner), users will receive full credit. If the problem was user error, they may receive credit for the print job if it was the first time. For repeated user errors, no credit will be issued; they will be held accountable for what they print. Credits for garbled print jobs will be placed in your pquota balance. To request a credit to your BAR account you must show the print job, and explain the extenuating circumstances to justify this additional step.

Here are some common user errors that will result in endless pages of junk:

1. Sending PDF (Acrobat) files directly to the printer from UNIX.
   Solution: Print using Acrobat from either UNIX or XP. The command in UNIX is acroread.
2. Sending DOC (MS Word) files directly to the printer from UNIX.
   Solution: Print using Word from XP.

Do you see the trend? Files generated by applications need to be printed using that application. The only exception to this rule is for plain text (ASCII) files and postscript (PS) files. ASCII and PS files can be sent directly to the printer using the UNIX lpr command. This may sound obvious; however, if you open a file and it looks like gibberish on the screen, don't print it. Some users print it anyway thinking the printer will magically convert it to readable text.

To cancel print jobs, you have to be quick! As soon as you print, the job will be redirected to our print server that you cannot access.

To cancel print jobs from XP, double click on the printer icon in the system tray on the bottom right and delete the job. If you don't see it, the print server is already processing the job.

To cancel print jobs from UNIX, check the print queue with

lpq -Pprintername jobnumber

and then remove the job with

lprm -Pprintername jobnumber

If you don't see the print job with lpq

the print server is already processing it.

Some printers have a pink Cancel Job button on top that you can try. Note that turning off the printer won't necessarily kill the current job. As soon as you turn it back on, the job may restart because it is still on the print server.

Finally, send email to printaid@seas.ucla.edu if all else fails. Please include the printer name, username, symptoms, and any other pertinent info in your report. This reaches several people, so in most cases we can respond within a reasonable time.