lpr-1.4M.txt -- Unix lpr (print server) package ported to Minix 2.0.0 Giovanni Falzoni -- released March 2002 Everything started when, at work, we realized that we needed to share a printer over a small network (10 to 12 users with a low use of printer). Having a few old PC we thought that one of them could be used as server, so I started working on that. The PC were old 286 so my choice was to use Minix as operating base. My work was late for the purpose but at last I made it to run and for a little while it was used. Now I'm putting it on the network so, if anybody is interested, we can share it. It is basically derived from the lpr-5.9 available on the network, although quite a lot of reworking has been done to: . adapt it to the network architecture of Minix. . make it compliant to the ANSI compiler (ACK) . make it working on Minix i86 (Yes it runs on a 286!) . give a consistent set of error messages . adding mailing capabilities There may be some 'zombies' laying around since Minix does not handle the SIGCHLD signal and it is necessary to execute a wait to delete completely child processes. Whenever a child gets error and dies this will happen. Cleanup is done, anyway, at the next correct termination. Since Minix is missing a 'select' system call, I implemented local printing via networking, so you need networking enabled, even for a standalone system. I recently added a filter for a HP Laserjet and some changes to make use of a few patches I made to incorporate (in Minix 2.0.2) flock(2), syslog(2) and symlink(2). For those that do not have them, configuration directives are available in the Makefiles. Due to the large amount of reworking to reduce program sizes, to change messages and to insert Minix specific networking, I didn't try to keep compatibility with other systems. You will find that this version is working only for Minix. The porting of the serial interface is, I hope, complete but it was NOT tested, so is up to you, if you still have one of those old printers, to use and test it. Giovanni Falzoni Notes added by asw November 2002: I suggest unpacking the lpr-1.4M.tar.Z archive in /usr/local/src. When unpacked it will create two directories, /usr/local/src/lpr and /usr/local/src/magicfilter. Consult the Readme and Readme.minix in both directories for info on complining and installing. My apologies to Giovanni for the delay in posting this. It languished for 8 months in my home directory before I finally got around to making it available to the public. Al Woodhull awoodhull@hampshire.edu