I have recently been working on a barcode solution and needed to print to a barcode label printer in linux. Unluckily no manufcaturer has released yet linux drivers so I ´ve been developing some program which generates the corresponding printer commands.

My questions are the following:

It is possible to create a "virtual printer" which when I send to print to it calls my program and generates the file with the printer commands? This would make much more easier the task for the users...FILE > PRINT > and select labelprinter.

How could I add this virtual printer in linux? I´m using fedora c. 2 with kDE 3.

And last sorry, I dont´t know if it is to much work to develop a linux printer driver? It is possible?


Thank for your help in advance.

Nach

As far as the virtual printer goes, I can help you there.
Open up the KDE Control Centre, and select Peripherals, then Printers.
Click the Add menu, and then select "Add special (pseudo) printer" and the rest is pretty straightforward -- you give it a name, description and location just like usual, and then you choose a command to give it.

But as far as the printer driver development goes, I'm not sure. You may want to check Linuxprinting.org for more information. If your barcode printer supports some form of Postscript, then you may be in luck. But that's all I know.