Auto Laser
                                                  Software by Secure Design

About AutoLaser

AutoLaser is an extension for Macintosh Computers.  The extension will search the local network for LaserWriters, and select one at random. The user will be notified as to which printer they will be using.

• Use AutoLaser in a large computer lab environment to distribute the printer load on the network printers.  If you shut a printer off, it will not be selected on start-up when a computer is rebooted.

• Use with laptops.  A local printer will always be selected on start-up, no matter where you plug your laptop in.  

• Notify the user which printer that they will be using.  

AutoLaser was written for LaserWriter style printers, however it will work with any print driver that stores the network address of the printer in the PAPA resource -8192.  Other printers include:  HP Color InkJet and ImageWriters.

Installing AutoLaser

To install AutoLaser, simply copy the AutoLaser extension into your Extensions folder (System 7) or your SystemFolder (System 6)

How does it work

On start-up, AutoLaser will display an icon as shown  to the right.  If you hold down the mouse button, 
AutoLaser will abort at this point.

If AutoLaser has a problem, it will abort and show the X icon to the right.  After start-up is complete, 
a message about the problem will be shown.

AutoLaser will do an NBP lookup for all printers   of the selected type.  The icon to the right will spin
while AutoLaser waits for each printer to respond.

When a printer has been found and selected,  AutoLaser will save the new printer address to 
the printer file.  The printer name and address are 
saved.

After start-up is complete, a notification of any action taken will be displayed to the user.  This is usually a message saying "You will be using printer X_LaserWriter"

Extra Features

AutoLaser has a few minor options that can be configured with ResEdit.   To configure these settings, open the AutoLaser INIT with ResEdit, and select the ALpf resource number 128.  The following dialog should be shown.

Show Printer selection:  This causes AutoLaser to display a dialog on start-up that tells the user which printer they will be using.  Set this to False to suppress the dialog.

Random Select printer:  This causes AutoLaser to pick a printer from all available network printers.  Set this to False to prevent AutoLaser from changing your printer on start-up.  

If you set Random Select printer  to False, but leave Show Printer selection set to True, AutoLaser will only show the user which printer the machine is already set to use.  It will not select a new printer.  

• DO NOT change any other settings in this dialog box.

Notes about Novell Netware®

Novell Netware will publish LaserWriter (and other) print queues on the network so users may print to a queue rather than to the printer directly.  Netware will still publish the print queue even if the queue is disabled,  and users with insufficient network privileges will also see the print queues in the chooser.  

When AutoLaser selects a printer, it finds all printers on the network (including Netware Print Queues)  and selects one at random.   Auto Laser does not check to see if a Netware queue is active first.  Users may be set to use the queue even though it has been disabled.  

Evaluation Period

AutoLaser may be used for 20 days to evaluate the software.  After 20 days, you must  purchase the software or stop using it.    You may not use AutoLaser for more than 20 days without purchasing the software.

Copyright

Copyright  1994, 1995  by  Secure Design 

Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.  

U.S. Government Restricted Rights:   Use, duplication or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions set fourth in subparagraph (a) through (d) of the Commercial Computer Restricted Rights clause at FAR 52.227-19 when applicable, or subparagraph (c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-1013, and in similar clauses in the NASA FAR Supplement.

License Agreement:    Each copy of this product is provided with a serial number.  This serial number may not be exchanged, sold, or otherwise distributed.  

Single Computer License:   The software purchased for single computer use may only be installed on one computer.

LAN Site License:  The software purchased as a LAN site license may be used on all computers that are located within one Local Area Network.  (A LAN shall not exceed one AppleTalk zone.)

An evaluation copy of this product is also available.  While the purchased version of this software may not be copied, the evaluation version may be distributed freely.  Please contact us if you would like a demonstration copy of our products.

Warranty:   This  software  is sold on an as-is basis.  Secure Design specifically disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied.  In no event shall Secure Design be liable for any loss of profit or any other damage including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential or other damages including damages to a third party.    By using this software you are agreeing to these terms.  If these terms are not agreeable, please return this software for a refund within 10 days of purchase.