Cambridge Printing for Linux

The MCS printing service doesn't offer a client for personal Linux PCs, but it is possible to print from MCS Linux, either on MCS-owned PCs or via the remote-access servers.

Because of this, it's possible to use SSH connections to MCS Linux servers to print documents from the terminal of any Linux PC in Cambridge.

In order to simplify this process, follow the instructions below to set up a script for printing:

1. Download the script from the GitHub repository. You may wish to place it into ~/bin/ for ease of use.
2. Edit the decompressed script in a text editor and insert your CRSid in the appropriate location in line 10.
3. While you have the file open, insert the name of the printer (or printer queue) you would like to use in line 16. You can find the name of the printer you are using here.
4. If you wish to print in colour by default, change the default printing mode in line 13.

To use the script once you have configured it, simply run it with any PDF file as an argument (e.g. camprint filename.pdf) and enter your UIS password when prompted.

For more details on use, run camprint --help.

Bug reports and improvements (especially if they address the limitations below) are welcome!

Limitations and restrictions:

• This code is run entirely at your own risk, and I take no responsibility for any issues caused by using it (feel free to send me an email if you're having trouble with it though)
• The script can currently only print to one preset printer (or at least the script itself must be changed in order to change the printer which it will use)
• Similarly, most printing options are not directly available (although anything which lp can access can be set by modifying the script)
• This only works with PDF files, due to the black-and-white conversion process used - you will need to convert other file types to PDF before printing them
• You will need to enter your UIS password every time you send a document to print
• The script may be broken by any future changes in MCS remote-access or printing systems, over which I have no control

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