Re: [Lpr-discuss] Re: PPD file for Epson Stylus Color 600 and GPr

[Thomas H. <thu...@co...>]

Ben Woodard wrote:
> 
> >
> >
> > "SANDFORT,PAT (HP-Boise,ex1)" wrote:
> > >
> > > > From a user ergonomics standpoint, I like the fact that
> > > > the currrent gpr pops up a single window, through which
> > > > I can handle most tasks.  If I'm required to pop up a
> > > > second window before I can print, that could slow me down.
> > >
> > > I agree - the Windoze side requires other action (with Properties),
> > > and most people never even use it (because they don't know what
> > > it is!).
> >
> > However, by the same token, if these users don't know what "Properties"
> > are, can they be expected to know what "Resolution" and "N-up" are?
> >
> > My argument is precisely that this "Properties" window will rarely need
> > to be accessed, as the majority of "clueless" printers just hit the
> > "Print" button anyway. For the users who do need to access the
> > properties (and who understand them), it doesn't seem overly burdensome
> > to open this window. Even users who access the more advanced features of
> > the printer with regularity can save these settings so that they rarely
> > have to look at the "Properties" dialog. My belief is that the basic
> > user interface shouldn't be burdened with infrequently used "advanced"
> > items, but that they should be accessible nonetheless. I don't think
> > this will really slow too many people down, but that's obviously subject
> > to argument!
> >
> 
> The thing is if a person doesn't want to use the properties why are
> they running GPR? 

They still use gpr to create and access saved settings or profiles.

> I only use GPR if I want to manipulate the
> properties. Otherwise I just use lpr. 

But, are you primarily printing from the command line? If I had set-up
saved settings in GPr and I could access them from the command line (a
feature we'd like to add), I sure as heck wouldn't fire up gpr to send a
file from the command-line! Would you? I would only do it if I couldn't
remember the name of preset, but then the saved settings dialog on the
main screen of gpr would be all I need (once we add the ability to
recall "common options"). The only other time I would use gpr from the
command-line was if I had to hunt for a file and wanted the advantage of
the file browser.

GPr is essentially a command-line formatter. Adding the ability to
recall saved settings from the command-line would enhance this ability.
For people who do most of their work from the command line, they may
only need to use GPr one time to set up some presets. After that, it is
much more efficient for them to type from the commandline. So, in this
instance, GPr may be used quite infrequently, but it still has value.

For users who are more gui-oriented, gpr still gives them a file
browser, a list of installed printers/possible destinations, and quick
access to presets. The advanced options are still there, but they are
removed one layer away because it is assumed that they would be
infrequently accessed (assuming saved settings remember common options
in the future and/or some common options are moved to the main
interface).

-- 

Thomas Hubbell
CompuMetric Labs, Inc.
thu...@co...