deep@moncam.co.uk (The Darkness Visible) (05/24/89)
Anyone writing filtas for lpr will have noticed that the flag info for -w, -i and -l in the call to lpr are inherited by the filter specified (default lp); -l becomes -c, and -w<number> -i<number> get passed unchanged. However, because of the way lpr uses /etc/printcap, the <number> in each case is actually passed as a string, and so can be anything. I have used this feature, somewhat nortily I admit, as a means to pass extra information on to the filter. I use the width flag, with a `/' to introduce the nortie flags, vis, -w<number>/<nortie flags> or -w/<nortie flags>. I will gladly change all this when (?) I get some lpr-ish software which will pass unrecognised flags on to the filter, much as cc seems to pass things it doesn't understand on to the linker. -- I hear Her Voice Calling my name, The sound is deep In the Dark. I hear Her Voice And start to run, Into the Trees... Into the Trees...