DTPrinter 1.1 - An implementation of Desktop Printers for System 7.0
History
When Apple first introduced System 7 at the 1989 Developer's Conference, it included something called the 'New Print Architecture'. One of the really cool parts of the NPA were 'Desktop Printers'. This allowed you to have an icon on your desktop which represented a particular printer. You could then drag a document onto the particular printer icon, and it would print to that printer. Very useful when you have multiple Laserwriters, a Fax Modem, Print to Disk utility, etc.
Well, the NPA disappeared, and with it 'Desktop Printers'....In order to correct this MAJOR oversight, I wrote DTPrinter which implements 'Desktop Printers' NOW under System 7.
Usage
Make a copy of the original DTPrinter application. Double click on the application and choose 'Customize…' from the File Menu. You can the select the type of printer and in the case of networked printers like the Laserwriter, the individual printer. Click OK to validate the printer choice and then quit. The application will have been renamed with the prefix 'DTP/' followed by the name (or type) of the printer you choose, and well as having the appropriate icon.
At that point simply drag documents onto your new 'Desktop Printer'...You will see a window letting you know the printer is being set up, and then the document's owner will be launched and you will be presented with the Printer Dialog of your choice. Click Print and all is well!
Distribution Notes
I hereby give permission for this 'hack' to be distributed in any collection of software which is not charged for. User groups such as BMUG and BCS which charge only for disk duplication may also distribute. Electronic services (CIS, GEnie, etc.) may also distribute it, as long as they respect MY copyright!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Leonard Rosenthol
LazerWare, inc.
AppleLink: MACgician
GEnie: MACgician
America Online: MACgician
Internet: leonardr@sv.portal.com
PS: Layoffs suck.
PPS: No, folks, I was not layed off, but I know people who were - and they still suck
PPPS: All references to layoffs are with respect to Apple's recent fun!
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Version History
1.0 - first release
1.0.1MH - MacHack release with a bug fix!
1.0.2 - Added call to InitCTBUtils
- Fixed small bug in 'recustomization code'
1.0.3 - Use printer name instead of file name for NBP Lookups
(this will make us compatible with CoolLW & Appletalk Imagewriters)
- Fixed the defaulting of the 'Printer' popUp menu
1.0.4 - Now uses the correct prompt string when choosing a network printer
- Removes any old PAP resources from itself when being reconfigured
- The name of the printer driver is now copied into the system file
(this will help with some apps which get the printer name)
- we now write out the current zone name to Appletalk printers
1.1 - Fixed bug where popUp menu was greying out (Thanks Byron/Alex :-()
- Fixed bug where Choose button was not enabled for preflight selection
- We now preflight the menu first with apps's customized value then current printer
To be done
• support printer drivers in the System Folder
• rev the customizing UI to something more graphical
Known Bugs
• When recustomizing a copy of DTPrinter, the custom icon may not be updated.