[NTLUG:Discuss] printing from Linux

[Charles Cashion]

I would like to understand the flow of information from a
program to a printer.

True for False?
The output from Linux programs is occasionally, frequently,
most frequently, almost always PostScript?

True for False?
If you feed PostScript (PS) to a printer that understands PS or
that pretends to understand PS (emulation), then you will get
your printout.

True?
A NON-PS printer that understands raster scan (RS) can be used
if the computer translates PS to RS.

True?
Almost any new printer (ink jet or laser) does raster scan.

Options?
If your printer does not understand PS, then you have several
options:
         1. You translate PS to raster scan and send it to
                 the printer?
         2. You send your printing to ghostscript and that
                 converts it to RS
         3. You send your printing thru pimp and it does the
                 conversion

Print Specific file:
So if you are going to convert PS to RS, you are really
translating PS to whatever language the printer speaks?

WHAT I REALLY NEED: If you understand how printing works, and
you learned it from something you read, I want to know what
you read. I want to read it.

WHAT HELPS: Most of the time, I have to read something from
more than one source before I finally understand it. If more
than one person would suggest something to read, it would
help. Please let me know what you read that finally caused
you to understand Linux printing.

Tnx,
Charles