paul@aucs.UUCP.UUCP (06/10/87)
We plan to install a network of Macs (SEs) this summer and are investigating ways of keeping track of laser printer output so that user's can be charged. In our current CP/M network a WordStar printing program we developed counts pages as it is formatting output and updates a master accounting file from which users are billed on a monthly basis. From our point of view this approach is ideal since it requires no operator intervention. Unfortunately, the complexity of printing operations on the Mac would seem to eliminate such a simple solution. Three other possibilities could be: 1) do not charge users for output; 2) hire someone to count pages and distribute output; 3) use a magnetic card similar to ones available for photocopies that keeps track of pages on the card. Solution 1 is only viable for rich universities (which we aren't). Solution 2 is a bit better, but probably would end up costing as much as number 1. Which brings me to number 3. Has anyone had any experience with these cards in conjunction with a laser printer charging scheme. Our information on them indicate that there are many ways to defeat them, which would be unacceptable to us. Unfortunately, unless someone comes up with a better solution, it seems to be the only possibility. If anyone would care to shed some light on this subject, please email your suggestions to me, and I'll summarize for the net. Thanks. Paul H. Steele UUCP: {seismo|watmath|utai|garfield}!dalcs!aucs!Paul Acadia University BITNET: {Paul|phs}@Acadia Wolfville, NS Internet: {Paul|phs}%Acadia.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU CANADA B0P 1X0 PHONEnet: (902) 542-2201x587