Desktop PrintMonitor provides a desktop printing environment similar to that found in QuickDraw GX. It makes functions previously found through the Chooser and PrintMonitor accessible on the desktop. Additional features such as print queue management, simultaneous printing to multiple printers, and a drag and drop interface are provided by Desktop PrintMonitor.
• To create a Desktop Printer, the user must specify a printer in the Chooser.
- Desktop Printer icons appear on the desktop after a printer is selected and the Chooser is closed.
- The most recently created Desktop Printer is designated as the default printer (indicated by a bold outline).
• When a Desktop Printer is selected, the Printing menu is displayed in the menu bar.
- The Printing menu allows the user to Start and Stop print queues, switch default printers, and change the printing time of jobs in the print queue.
• Double-clicking on the Desktop Printer icon opens the print queue.
- The user can rearrange the print queue by placing jobs on Hold, setting print times, and manually dragging jobs up and down in the queue.
• In the Desktop Printer window, buttons for Hold/Resume and Remove allow for quick manipulation of the print queue.
• In addition to the standard means for printing jobs, users can also drag documents directly to Desktop Printers.
- Jobs can also be dragged (and option-dragged) between queues for printers that use the same driver.
• Get Info for Desktop Printers provides the printer name, the driver name, the zone, and created and modified dates.
• Get Info for print jobs provides information on pages, copies, application, print time, printer destination, and dates.
Desktop PrintMonitor also provides these additional features:
• Print jobs can be sent to multiple printers simultaneously.
• An error in one job does not hold up the rest of the print queue.
• Better memory management (dynamically resizes PrintMonitor’s partition for big jobs).
Please note:
• When Desktop PrintMonitor is installed, spool files are moved out of the PrintMonitor documents folder, renamed, and placed in the appropriate Desktop Printer.
• Desktop PrintMonitor only works with printer drivers that otherwise would use Apple's PrintMonitor.
• Desktop Printers are actually folders. When seen via personal file sharing, they may appear as folders.
• Due to architectural considerations and limitations, Desktop PrintMonitor does not have identical funtionality with QuickDraw GX's desktop printing environment.