[WinPrnDev] Re: Creating a Printer Driver
- From: "Clinton Bessesen" <clinton@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: winprndev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 10:44:08 +0100
Hi Sam,
Question: the work you are trying to do. Is it a commercial application or
free for all?
>
> Clinton
> Thanks yes i was just reading about it and it said exactly what you said,
> i set RedMon to prompt for file name, ok so if i ask redmon to create my
> .PS file I can always write my application to call ghostscript and convert
> to pdf. So were back to the problem that we would want to support this
> solution in multiple enviroments and RedMon and ghostscript have licensing
> issues.
> But I think once I get a prototype working i can then try and create my
> own version of redmon that wont have licensing issues, same goes to ghost
> script but there are various solutions that use ghost script, do you think
> that each and everyone has an agreement with GhostScript to distribute it
> commercially?
>
> RegardsSam
>> Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 10:36:38 +0100
>> Subject: [WinPrnDev] Re: Creating a Printer Driver
>> From: clinton@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> To: winprndev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>> Hi Sam,
>> looking at your ghostscript section, you are accepting "stdin" and then
>> outputting to the first parameter "%1" ( this could be a tempname ), I'm
>> not sure how you've set Redmon at this stage..
>>
>> Anyway, a portmonitor can be designed to output to a tempfile, or simply
>> through it out to a standard file mechanism "stdout". In the default
>> case
>> of REDMON ( I'm no expert ), I'm assuming if you select "program handles
>> output" it will simply call the executable you specified and through
>> stdout at it. This would require you app to accept stdin as a file
>> handle
>> and then create a temp.
>>
>> Hope it helps!
>> Clinton
>> >
>> > Hi Clinton
>> > I was wondering if you have any other references because I am trying
>> to
>> > get my head around what exactly does the port monitor pass the
>> GhostScript
>> > exe because i thought it was a straight stdin of the PostScript file
>> > obviously I am wrong because according to my RedMon port settings I am
>> > passing :
>> > @c:\gs\gs8.11\pdfwrite.rsp -sOutputFile="%1" -c save pop -f -
>> > the first part is clearly calling the pdf creation script, the second
>> is
>> > calling the postscript file maybe?
>> > To make things clearer I wrote a simple exe that saves everything
>> given to
>> > it to a file and this is what i receive, am i understanding this
>> > incorrectly? Does the Port Monitor create temp file and Ghostscript
>> > somehow knows where this temp file is ?
>> > Any help would make this much clearer I am still combing through the
>> > mountain load of information held in the help files of both
>> GhostScript
>> > and RedMon to no avail
>> >
>> > RegardsSam
>> >
>> >> Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2010 17:32:10 +0100
>> >> Subject: [WinPrnDev] Re: Creating a Printer Driver
>> >> From: clinton@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> To: winprndev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >>
>> >> Hi Sam,
>> >> I wouldn't think this is an issue with Redmon, are you using "run as
>> >> User"
>> >> switch. It might be a permissions/environment problem.
>> >> why don't you try and redirect to a program, this program writes to a
>> >> temp
>> >> file c:\sam_temp\123dfre.tmp, see if this works.
>> >> Clinton
>> >> >
>> >> > Clinton
>> >> > It seems that RedMon isnt supported on windows 7, whats odd is that
>> >> the
>> >> > PDF is created fine but if i try to redirect to my custom exe it
>> just
>> >> > produces an error. This means I will have to create my own redirect
>> >> port
>> >> > which is a bit of a shame seeing as the functionality i want is in
>> >> RedMon
>> >> > RegardsSam
>> >> >
>> >> > From: hussam_88@xxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> > To: winprndev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> > Subject: [WinPrnDev] Re: Creating a Printer Driver
>> >> > Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2010 15:28:12 +0000
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > Clinton
>> >> > Apologies i was guided to use .NET but I realise its better to use
>> C,
>> >> what
>> >> > if i just write a simple WIN32 console program? that way if i
>> provide
>> >> the
>> >> > exe with the install there wont be any need to for framework to be
>> >> > installed on client side.
>> >> > I am just in the process of redirecting to my exe but it seems to
>> be
>> >> > locked because i am getting erors when i try to configure the port,
>> im
>> >> > sure ill sort it out though.
>> >> > Question is what does RedMon pass to ghostScript? the PostScript
>> file?
>> >> and
>> >> > I still have no idea if the document name can be produced?
>> >> > RegardsSam
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >> Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2010 16:21:13 +0100
>> >> >> Subject: [WinPrnDev] Re: Creating a Printer Driver
>> >> >> From: clinton@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> >> To: winprndev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Hi Sam,
>> >> >> Sorry my mistake. So what's the reason for .NET if you prefer
>> C/C++?
>> >> >> Ignore me just we have a thing going on here in the office where
>> >> >> everyone
>> >> >> who knows me knows my common phrase "I do C/C++ why do I need a
>> >> >> FrameWork
>> >> >> to do things", not that I have any issue with the FrameWork, just
>> >> never
>> >> >> needed it.. Makes perfect sense for VB.NET and C##, BUT I love
>> >> pointers.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Anyway, going off topic again. You should be able to decipher
>> this.
>> >> >> Briefly the API calls to programatically add drivers, portmonitors
>> >> etc
>> >> >> is
>> >> >> identical.
>> >> >> AND yes, instead of ghostscript, call your app and away you go.
>> Are
>> >> you
>> >> >> sure you want your users to first have a FrameWork installed
>> before
>> >> >> calling a simple program?
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Clinton
>> >> >>
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Clinton
>> >> >> > Thanks alot i will take a look at it, although I much prefer C
>> to
>> >> VB.
>> >> >> You
>> >> >> > know how it is with us programmers if you love C you hate VB and
>> >> vice
>> >> >> > versa :)
>> >> >> > But I was just wondering, RedMon actually allows you to point to
>> >> which
>> >> >> exe
>> >> >> > you want to start with, so instead of reirecting to ghostscript
>> i
>> >> >> should
>> >> >> > redirect to my .net app right? RegardsSam
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2010 15:35:23 +0100
>> >> >> >> Subject: [WinPrnDev] Re: Creating a Printer Driver
>> >> >> >> From: clinton@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> >> >> To: winprndev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> Hi Sam,
>> >> >> >> I think you are getting there.
>> >> >> >> The INF file is nothing more than a text configuration file
>> used
>> >> by
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> "Windows Add printer" User Interface. Primarily you don't need
>> to
>> >> >> rely
>> >> >> >> on
>> >> >> >> this and can install a printer driver, portmonitor
>> automatically,
>> >> BUT
>> >> >> if
>> >> >> >> you wish users to add a printer manually then the .inf is the
>> way
>> >> to
>> >> >> go.
>> >> >> >> It instructs the interface where files should be placed and
>> what
>> >> name
>> >> >> to
>> >> >> >> give the driver file with all its dependancies.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> Lets see you prefer VB, I have found a VB source site that does
>> >> >> >> everything
>> >> >> >> you require. Welcome to the world of opensource..
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> http://www.pdfforge.org/download ( download the source and away
>> >> you
>> >> >> go )
>> >> >> >> The will install a printer driver, portmonitor, ghostscript.
>> You
>> >> >> might
>> >> >> >> want to do things differently BUT I thought the language syntax
>> >> would
>> >> >> be
>> >> >> >> familiar so would make more sense than me sending you C
>> snippets.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> Have Fun!
>> >> >> >> Clinton
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > Sorry everyone, just goes to show how new I am to all of
>> this. I
>> >> >> >> assumed
>> >> >> >> > the INF file would be produced after compilation when its
>> just
>> >> a
>> >> >> >> simple
>> >> >> >> > text file containing information about the driver and tells
>> >> windows
>> >> >> to
>> >> >> >> > copy the drivers to the system directory
>> >> >> >> > I relise this because compiling the local port sample on WDK,
>> it
>> >> >> >> produced
>> >> >> >> > DDLs
>> >> >> >> > but RedMon has its own setup, I am assuming that given the
>> >> RedMon
>> >> >> DDLs
>> >> >> >> i
>> >> >> >> > can easily write an INF file to install the ports, so I need
>> to
>> >> >> >> actually
>> >> >> >> > manipulate the code to stdout to a .net application instead
>> of
>> >> >> >> ghostscript
>> >> >> >> > which does the same thing as ghostscript (as in create a temp
>> >> file
>> >> >> >> then
>> >> >> >> > PDF) and then upload to server.
>> >> >> >> > If thats correct then im finally beginning to understand what
>> i
>> >> >> need
>> >> >> >> to
>> >> >> >> > do, but there still the matter of the document name, how will
>> I
>> >> get
>> >> >> >> it?
>> >> >> >> > Will the output RedMon produces contain the name of the
>> document
>> >> >> >> > somewhere? Maybe GhostScript has a field for document name?
>> >> >> >> > RegardsSam
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > From: hussam_88@xxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> >> >> > To: winprndev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> >> >> > Subject: [WinPrnDev] Re: Creating a Printer Driver
>> >> >> >> > Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2010 11:21:35 +0000
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > Clinton
>> >> >> >> > Thank you for your email, I am just looking at the RedMon
>> source
>> >> >> code,
>> >> >> >> I
>> >> >> >> > still have no idea how they produce the INF from the code but
>> i
>> >> am
>> >> >> >> > assuming that to build an inf of a printer port I will have
>> to
>> >> >> maybe
>> >> >> >> work
>> >> >> >> > with the WDK.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > I guess im just lost as to where to start with creating the
>> >> Port,
>> >> >> once
>> >> >> >> i
>> >> >> >> > compile the C Code for the port monitor would that create an
>> inf
>> >> >> file?
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > From what i understood in your email your advising that I
>> write
>> >> a
>> >> >> >> bridge
>> >> >> >> > program that creates the temp file of the input(Stdin) that
>> it
>> >> >> >> receives
>> >> >> >> > from RedMon and then call Ghostscript to create the PDF from
>> the
>> >> >> temp
>> >> >> >> > file, and although Ghost script does this its better if I am
>> in
>> >> >> >> control of
>> >> >> >> > this process incase of bugs or crashes.
>> >> >> >> > so the first thing i need to do is create the Redmon that
>> would
>> >> >> >> redirect
>> >> >> >> > to my program instead of Ghostscript and although i know i
>> can
>> >> just
>> >> >> do
>> >> >> >> > that via the configure in the port menu I would muh rather
>> get
>> >> >> stuck
>> >> >> >> in!
>> >> >> >> > and start learning by playing around with it.
>> >> >> >> > how do i create the inf file for my new redirection port
>> though?
>> >> >> >> > RegardsSam
>> >> >> >> >> Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2010 12:13:19 +0100
>> >> >> >> >> Subject: [WinPrnDev] Re: Creating a Printer Driver
>> >> >> >> >> From: clinton@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> >> >> >> To: winprndev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> Hi Sam,
>> >> >> >> >> If I remember correctly. REDMON can output to stdout (
>> Program
>> >> >> >> handles
>> >> >> >> >> output ). So you would need to create a little app ( C would
>> do
>> >> ),
>> >> >> >> that
>> >> >> >> >> accepts stdin, creates a TEMPFile and then calls Ghostscript
>> to
>> >> >> >> create
>> >> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> >> PDF ( another Temp ). This then can be "remotely sent".
>> >> >> Technically
>> >> >> >> >> GhostScript can accept stdin stdout, BUT I do advise you
>> >> >> controlling
>> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> >> file creation ( if something goes wrong, you know where )
>> and
>> >> >> passing
>> >> >> >> >> these as parameters to the PDF driver type.
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> Hope it helps!
>> >> >> >> >> Clinton
>> >> >> >> >> PS: I read in a previous email someone saying that Microsoft
>> >> were
>> >> >> >> trying
>> >> >> >> >> to remove sockets/ports, this I don't think will ever happen
>> as
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> >> spooler CORE is designed around this also CLUSTERED PRINTING
>> >> only
>> >> >> >> >> support
>> >> >> >> >> TCP/IP printing ( which is socket based through ports )
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> > That sounds like much neater. OK so the next step is to
>> >> >> actuallly
>> >> >> >> >> learn
>> >> >> >> >> > how Redmon works and modify it to launch a .Net
>> application.
>> >> I
>> >> >> will
>> >> >> >> >> also
>> >> >> >> >> > need to learn how Ghostscript works and how to convert the
>> >> >> >> Postscript
>> >> >> >> >> file
>> >> >> >> >> > produced to PDF, but what about naming. Does the port
>> monitor
>> >> >> know
>> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> >> > name of the document? or will it be overwritten?
>> >> >> >> >> > RegardsSam
>> >> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> >> Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2010 11:33:36 +0200
>> >> >> >> >> >> Subject: [WinPrnDev] Re: Creating a Printer Driver
>> >> >> >> >> >> From: jjflash@xxxxxxxxx
>> >> >> >> >> >> To: winprndev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >> On Wed, Apr 7, 2010 at 11:29 AM, Sam Elamin
>> >> >> >> <hussam_88@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>> >> >> >> >> >> wrote:
>> >> >> >> >> >> > So what if I print to a redmon port (RE1) which will
>> >> redirect
>> >> >> to
>> >> >> >> >> >> ghostscript
>> >> >> >> >> >> > which produces the PDF, then print the PDF to RedMon
>> Port
>> >> 2
>> >> >> >> (RE2)
>> >> >> >> >> and
>> >> >> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> >> >> > second port will print to a .NET application which was
>> >> >> created
>> >> >> >> >> soley
>> >> >> >> >> >> to
>> >> >> >> >> >> > upload a job.
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >> Or have RedMon Port 1 launch your .Net app that first
>> spawns
>> >> >> >> >> >> GhostScript to do the conversion and next upload the
>> result
>> >> >> >> >> somewhere?
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >> ;)
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >> --
>> >> >> >> >> >> Rune
>> >> >> >> >> >> ---
>> >> >> >> >> >> Questions? First check the UndocPrint pages at
>> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.undocprint.org/winspool
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >> To unsubscribe, visit the List Server page at
>> >> >> >> >> >> //www.freelists.org/list/winprndev
>> >> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> > _________________________________________________________________
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>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >>
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>> >> >> >> >>
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>> >> >> >> >
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>> >> stories.
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>> >> >> > Do you have a story that started on Hotmail? Tell us now
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>> >> Tell
>> >> > us now
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>> >
>>
>>
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