mazu@terre.DMI.USherb.CA (Marc Mazuhelli) (02/05/91)
Hi there,
I would like to implement a system that counts the number of copies
each of our users print. There are a couple of things that I have to tell
you about our environment:
- we have 3 laser printers that are on LocalTalk, but they are used
also from our Unix machines (Suns) through GatorPrint.
- we have a few "public" machines in a room that a bunch of
different persons use, but since AME is installed, I think I could
arrange for the Chooser name to be set automatically when
they log in, so the system could rely on the chooser name. Of
coourse, it would be every user's responsability to logoff when they
leave so that the next user's pages aren't counted as theirs.
For the system to work even from the Suns, I think we may have to move
the printers to serial lines on the Sun (if they are left on
LocalTalk, I'm not sure we could prevent people from selecting the
printer from the chooser).
I'm sure other people have the same problem, and I would be interested
in knowing how they found a solution.
Thanks for your help!
--
{ Marc Mazuhelli | professeur }
{ internet: mazu@dmi.USherb.CA | Departement de math-info. }
{ <this space intentionaly ... | Universite de Sherbrooke }
{ ... left blank> | Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada }USERGIF@MTSG.UBC.CA (02/06/91)
I have a brochure from Prism Enterprises that describes a product called "NetCounter 2.0" laser printer utility. It has a variety of features including the ability to audit the pages printed per individual workstation. Does anyone have experience with this or similar programs? Les_Ferch@mtsg.ubc.ca userlsf@ubcmtsg
kovar%biostat@DAS.HARVARD.EDU (02/07/91)
We're putting the finishing touches on the manual for a completed product that does LaserWriter accounting. Please contact me either via email or at 1-800-253-3367 for more details. -David Kovar
stine@tigger.alisa.com (02/07/91)
The simplest way to account for how many pages have been printed is to add logic to the spooler controlling the printer to query the printer page count at the beginning of the print job and again at the end of the print job. Then subtract the first page count from the second and you have your job page count. Here's the PostScript you need to send to the LaserWriter to return the current number of pages the printer has printed in its lifetime: %%?BeginQuery: PageCount statusdict begin pagecount end = flush %%?EndQuery: unknown The lines beginning with "%%" are for conformance with Adobe document structuring conventions. dave stine Alisa Systems, Inc. stine@tigger.alisa.com
jjwcmp@isc.rit.edu (Jeff Wasilko) (02/07/91)
We use NetCounter here at RIT to limit access to our network connected Lino. It works very well, and the author (Herb Weiner (herbw@wiskit.pdx.com)) was very helpful in tracking down a conflict with another piece of RIP-resident software. My only gripe with the software is that the user interface is kind of rough in some places, but it does get the job done. The price can't be beat, either--Under $70 for all printers in a zone, less for .edu sites. Here's a short blurb from Herb about Netcounter. I'm just a happy customer, but would be happy to answer more questions (as would Herb)... ----- For controlling access to the LaserWriter(s) you probably want NetCounter (TM). This software will allow you to restrict access to the printers, and it will automatically reload itself (if you install a patched LaserPrep on all machines). In addition, it will keep track of the number of pages printed by each user (but this count will NOT be saved if the power fails, unless you have a hard disk on the printer). Also, it will protect your printer from the Trojan Horse that changes the password. NetCounter is distributed by Prism Enterprises (301) 604-6611. If you have any further questions that Prism can not answer for you, feel free to contact me. Disclaimer: I am the author of NetCounter. Herb Weiner (herbw@midas.WR.TEK.COM) -- | RIT VAX/VMS Systems: | Jeff Wasilko | RIT Ultrix Systems: | |BITNET: jjwcmp@ritvax +----------------------+ INET:jjwcmp@ultb.isc.rit.edu| |INTERNET: jjwcmp@ritvax.rit.edu |____UUCP:jjwcmp@ultb.UUCP____| |'claimer: I speak only for myself. Opinions expressed are NOT those of RIT.|
A138700@CUCSC.BITNET (02/09/91)
Could Mr. David Kovar send his e-mail address to me (a138700@cucsc.bitnet)? Thanks.