Printer is crippled

[Almost-retired]

Thank you.  He listened and looked, 'cain'ed it a bit & took 2 more samples, saying he would call me in about 2 weeks.  So I'm in semi-working condition I guess.  I'd mail ordered some bits for the lathe, so I'll spend the rest of the evening putzing with that and get back to this in the morning.

Thanks & Cheers, Gene

[wedgetail]

Almost-retired

When you run the liveCD, you must not change anything in Firefox. Only download and install, then run the print test.
I think this will keep it as close  to my test as possible.

The file you have sent me is som 86,000 bytes shorter.
Doing a byte comparison on the files there is an estimated 10%  difference in the files, your file is smaller. Since I am a bit rusty on reading/interpreting postscript internals I need a bit of time to figure out what the 10% means but initial thought is that perhaps your Firefox has been configured with another font system. 

My Firefox print test has been with no customisation, that is why the mention not to 'touch' Firefox after downloading.

Raises the question what font are you using in the Firefox you printed the test from, have you customised after download?  I am assuming you are running a fully updated version? 

[Almost-retired]

About all I can report right now is that its set for bitstream charter, sized 14 points, as a favor to my 77 year old eyes.
I have the 2012-2 cd image here now, but haven't burned it yet.

Thanks & Cheers, Gene

[wedgetail]

Almost-retired

On your running system can you run a test, set the font to Serif 17 point.
Just print the home page to .ps
Open with Okular and check the cropping?

Also email me the one file.

We will forget about the .pdf for the moment.

[Almost-retired]

Now this is weirdsville.  With that font, the damaged area takes place in the mailing list box.  On screen in FF the word 'Group' is line wrapped to the next line down except for the last one.  It's all there but line wrapped.

Looking at the .ps in okular, those lines aren't wrapped, just clipped off at an arbitrary, fixed right border.

I'll find your PM in my inbox and send pcloshome.ps along.

Thanks & Cheers, Gene

[wedgetail]

Almost-retired

Your result is not totally unexpected. Before going further I just need to know about the configuration of the top and bottom headers when you print from FF, you find that under properties when printing to file

The files you have sent me seem to have following 3 sections, Left, Center, Right

When I print I get:

             Left             Center             Right
Header:   Title              --blank--         URL

Footer:   Page # of #   --blank--          Date/Time

From your files it looks like:

             Left             Center             Right
Header:   Title              URL                --blank--

Footer:   Page # of #     Date/Time        --blank--

Have you customised this or is that the default in your system.

I am using FF version 12.0.  What version of FireFox are you running?

Boy, we must be cracking this soon, I am almost running out of ideas  

Edit::
I am possibly due for another unexpected piece of information, but I will present what I believe is happening.

When Almost-retired prints the PCLinuxOS home page, some 6 to 11 pages depending on portrait or landscape, in landscape some small amount of cropping takes place in page 1 where it seems that the longest line exists or the rightmost characters are found on the whole website.

The rt is cut from PCLinuxOS Live Chat Support

This may be as a result of the existing default settings in FF somewhere, I don't know. I am unable to to reproduce any errors as far as cropping is concerned. I have tested on 3 different KDE-mini systems slightly different configurations mainly different program installations.

I suspect that the choice of Font in FF has some bearing on the cropping, that perhaps by choosing a smaller font it is possible to sneak under a perceived right hand margin limit.

To exonerate the use of Okular as perhaps causing part of the problem I have finally tested the .ps landscape file of the PCLinuxOS home page that I have received, the result is that cropping takes place in GhostView as well.

This seems to point to a problem with the FF install.  I am hoping that this will be proved to be the case.

[Almost-retired]

To exonerate the use of Okular as perhaps causing part of the problem I have finally tested the .ps landscape file of the PCLinuxOS home page that I have received, the result is that cropping takes place in GhostView as well.

This seems to point to a problem with the FF install.  I am hoping that this will be proved to be the case.

That point I had already checked, using gv or adobe reader 9.

As for the headers / footers I had moved things around so that the header was in
Title            URL         blank
and the footer is
Page # of #    Date/Time   blank
precisely because of the clipping.  I'd also love to be able to place the header one row of pixels downward, and the footer 3 rows of pixels upward in order to get fully formed Serif characters.

It seems that the FF view of the printers full bleed capability is shrunken by several pixels.

However, that doesn't explain why I can have a text file with long lines that I would like to preserve the columnar format of, for instance a .hal file from linuxcnc, which is much easier to understand if liberal tabbing is used to format a line into columns as each column has a specific function to the hal interpreter.

I can use the bare bones lp command to print that file in landscape mode to the Brother hl2140 laser printer, and it Just Works(TM) but do an uparrow and change the -d to the NX515, and it hangs both the job and the printer.  To recover so far has required that the job be canceled, the printer power cycled, and cupsd restarted.  So, I have no clue if the command finally issued to the cups system by FF12 uses lp or some other means to hand the job off to the printing system.

Now I'm doing what an old fart does best, wander off into the past vis-a-vis printing.

One item I haven't inspected yet, is the .ppd for this printer, it is IIRC a text file.  But in both the about:config of FF12, and in this .ppd file, there aren't enough hints to be able to determine if the "unit" of the option being set is inches/pixels/mm/postscript_points, so I don't feel comfortable hacking on it and doing it intelligently.  I of course being American, with our normal measurement unit being inches/feet/yards, do not readily translate the units into something that might ring bells as an error.

I am familiar enough with postscript, having built Ghostscript to run on the Amiga many years ago (when gs was a far more capable piece of code than it is now, its pdf abilities were excised by the time the pdf spec had reached 1.3) and doing tricks with it then that allowed me to do duplex printing with gs and an ARexx script I wrote.  The ARexx script ran gs against the filename in file per page mode, numbered according to the page, and then scanned the scratch dir for even and odd page numbers, even going to far at to check the files length and if under 100 bytes or so was a blank page, so it skipped the file and sent a LF+FF instead just to keep things in order while printing.  Seems the gs version of a blank page didn't take the printer off of TOF! 

The then maintainer of gs and I had lengthy discussions about that fault, but I was never able to make him understand that there in fact was a problem.

However, ARexx on the Amiga was a huge superset of Rexx/Regina available for linux, so none of those scripts are capable of running on Linux.  Hell of a shame, there were many programs written in ARexx that, when I made to transition to linux in 97/98, would have enhanced the capabilities of linux in everyday usage, by a good 5 years!

Now, here is something that may be of interest, in the window I ran okular from:
[gene@coyote ~]$ okular
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
okular(22155)/kdeui (kdelibs) KXMLGUIClient::~KXMLGUIClient: 0x93a22f8 deleted without having been removed from the factory first. This will leak standalone popupmenus and could lead to crashes.

I may have to strip a few hundred lines in order to make it fit the 20k message limit.  It looks as if its having trouble finding that font.

Now I'm going to burn that cd.

Thanks & Cheers, Gene

[wedgetail]

Almost-retired
I am rather happy to see it was you that had configured header/footer so this is resolved.

What we seem to be looking at is not related to CUPS as far as I can figure, therefore I have not looked hard at the printer driver ppd.  May have to come back to this.  What we are testing does not need CUPS which I have checked by running a system without any CUPS installed, lpstat -t 'fails' nice confirmation, a quick way to check.

I am not surprised that a proper 'txt' file prints out correctly with wrapping if needed.  I am much more comfortable with text print stream at the backend and the simple rasterising that this has.  When printing a text file from kwrite which seems to rasterise to pdf format at the backend has me scratching my head.  If it works I will forget about it for the time being and just put it down to that I do not understand the process properly yet.  I got by until this came along and reminded me I have glossed over this text/pdf route .  

When you print a .ps file then open with kwrite and look around line 66, you find something about restricted property, there is quite a number of lines.  This is totally different to what I get at the same location.  I almost missed this, only when I did a byte comparison did I notice section difference.  Still did not get me any other clue than you were actually using another font than my default Serif in FF. Testing this gave no clue either here.

That something goes wrong when printing a html page, is my expectation.  I have no faith in printing internet pages.  Web page makers for one do not all stick to a standard, when I rarely do print I say several prayers first and make sure I am in an environment with two or 3 web browsers plus fervent hope I might get most of it printed.  

[gene@coyote ~]$ okular
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
GPL Ghostscript 9.02: Error: Font Renderer Plugin ( FreeType ) return code = -1
..........

I do get similar lines, I don't know what it means, I am getting used to konsole starts leaves certain amount of information behind

Edit:
I have just counted my lines, seems I get 45 of above lines each time when I open your .ps file

What gets me is that I can not reproduce your results.

[Almost-retired]

I am going to see what is available in fonts, its possible I don't have the whole kit installed.  OTOH, when I don't have the right fonts, particularly for fawncy printing of stationary or Christmas cards, I can usually get the one that make me happy from goldenweb.it.  There are some VERY nice cursive fonts there, but I've no clue how legal they are vis-a-vis copyright in the US.

I did install 3 or 4 more fonts from our repo, but doubt it will make much diff.

Long day, building fence etc.  Beat.  I did get the cd burned, but higher priority honeydo's got in the way.

Thanks & Cheers, Gene

[djohnston]

I am going to see what is available in fonts, its possible I don't have the whole kit installed.  OTOH, when I don't have the right fonts, particularly for fawncy printing of stationary or Christmas cards, I can usually get the one that make me happy from goldenweb.it.  There are some VERY nice cursive fonts there, but I've no clue how legal they are vis-a-vis copyright in the US.

I did install 3 or 4 more fonts from our repo, but doubt it will make much diff.

Five Key Websites for Open Source Fonts

[Almost-retired]

Bookmarked.

Thanks Mr Johnson, Gene

[wedgetail]

Almost-retired
You can sort font problems out with djohnston I am not much good on those.  

I can use the bare bones lp command to print that file in landscape mode to the Brother hl2140 laser printer, and it Just Works(TM) but do an uparrow and change the -d to the NX515, and it hangs both the job and the printer.

I have ignored the Brother printer so far, I have an idea what is happening here but better I get some facts first from you. I will install your driver here wehn I have result from:  

Copy/paste to konsole and post result

lpoptions -p BROTHEHL2140

lpoptions -p BROTHEHL2140 -l

I would like to see above facts on how you use the laser printer and then comment.

[Almost-retired]

gene@coyote ~]$ lpoptions -p BROTHEHL2140
auth-info-required=none copies=1 cpi=12 device-uri=usb://Brother/HL-2140%20series finishings=3 fitplot=true job-hold-until=no-hold job-priority=50 job-sheets=none,none lpi=7 marker-change-time=0 number-up=1 orientation-requested=4 printer-commands=AutoConfigure,Clean,PrintSelfTestPage printer-info='BROTHER HL-2140' printer-is-accepting-jobs=true printer-is-shared=true printer-location=coyote.den printer-make-and-model='Brother HL-2140 Foomatic/hpijs-pcl5e (recommended)' printer-state=3 printer-state-change-time=1336261962 printer-state-reasons=none printer-type=8433684 printer-uri-supported=ipp://localhost:631/printers/BROTHEHL2140 scaling=100 wrap=true

[gene@coyote ~]$ lpoptions -p BROTHEHL2140 -l
PrintoutMode/Printout Mode: Draft *Normal High
InputSlot/Media Source: *Default Upper Lower Envelope LargeCapacity Manual MPTray
PageSize/Page Size: Custom.WIDTHxHEIGHT *Letter A4 Photo Photo5x7 3x5 5x8 A3 A5 A6 B4JIS B5JIS Env10 EnvC5 EnvC6 EnvDL EnvISOB5 EnvMonarch Executive FLSA Hagaki Ledger Legal Oufuku SuperB w558h774 w612h935 w774h1116
Duplex/Double-Sided Printing: DuplexNoTumble DuplexTumble *None
Quality/Resolution, Quality: *FromPrintoutMode 300DraftGrayscaleK 300GrayscaleK 600GrayscaleK

I use the '--request-orientation=4' option to lp when using the brother in landscape.

I did install 3 or 4 more fonts from our repo, but doubt it will make much diff.

However, I would expect that a string of errors such as I quoted, would have been addressed by the maintainers pretty much on a "before the cd was finalized" basis.

At 5:55 am local, I am not even remotely close to awake.

Thanks & Cheers, Gene

[wedgetail]

Almost-retired
Your post with the Brother 2140 details, great I had to correct an assumption I made about the printer. I am very happy I did not make a comment before getting the facts.  This work is so unforgiving.

We have the outstanding problem with printing .ps from FF which is on hold until you test the ISO 2012.02 as I have indicated

Now we are looking at the behaviour of a text file, file with ascii characters, following print command you say is fine:

lp -dBROTHEHL2140 -o orientation-requested=4 my-lathe.hal

But this one decides to play hide and seek

lp -d Epson_Stylus_NX515 -o orientation-requested=4 my-lathe.hal

I think it would be a good idea trying the following,

First: email me the the file  my-lathe.hal so we can see if it screws up on my system.

Second: try and catch this file at the backend when using the Epson_Stylus_NX515

1.. Power off the printers
2.. lp -d Epson_Stylus_NX515 -o orientation-requested=4 my-lathe.hal
3.. Locate the temp file in /var/spool/cups/d00xxx-001 and assuming it is an ascii file still
4.. cat  /var/spool/cups/d00xxx-001

If you get something lousy in the output here, I expect it would show up in konsole, my thinking is there should not be any right margin to get in the way. vim would be ok too I should think

Back to your Brother 2140, from this site:
http://www.openprinting.org/printer/Brother/Brother-HL-2140

I picked up following:

Miscellaneous
Printer supports PJL. (I think this means the printer is Postscript capable, would like to see it in print, don't have a manual)
Printer supports direct text printing with the 'us-ascii' charset.

There is a specific mention that that direct text printing is supported. This could mean that it will handle ascii files well, in your case no problems with your text file.

 I have not managed to find that statement in the 33 page manual for the Epson that I found but the exercise carried out with a long line in a file earlier seemed to indicate it did accept ascii fine:

lp -d Epson_Stylus_NX515  /usr/share/printer-testpages/testpage.asc

I can't actually find in the topic that we tested my long line ascii file on the Epson, we tested it via Kwrite but at the backend this was a pdf representation. We had better correct this.

Make up a long line, up to about 130 characters, text file using vim. then do an and lp -d Epson_..... I don't expect any problem.

Getting to my ZZzzz... time soon

[Almost-retired]

Using that my.lathe.hal, and testpage.asc, the files arrived at /var/spool/cups in plain text.  And except for the line wrapping, printed ok when I turned the printer back on.  Repeated but giving lp the --request-orientation=4, the printout for my-lathe.hal was identical, aka the landscape command was ignored.  And the printer did not hang either.

man lp being studied again.  Wrong syntax, not --request-orientation=4, but -o request-orientation=4, repeat, 3rd identical portrait printed output.  Printer isn't hung.  Turn off printer, load page in FF12.  Print2file, can't find file, updatedb and locate running.  I also printed it to the epson, turned off.  ANAICT, both files are identical, landscape, and identically right border clipped on the only really long line in it.
Now, test pixels against characters, reset FF's serif font from 17 to 12 & reprint to file-1.ps
And a third time with print->options/ignore scaling and shrink to page width.  Now inspect. my-lathe.hal-1.ps looks identical.  But the last pass is good.  The clipping is taking place on the 115nth character in the first two files.  That line is 120 chars long.  With that option turned on for the epson, it didn't hang the printer but did do the clip and repeat at the end of that long line.  I'll scan it and send it along with the file.  Now, this last pass looks great in print to file, but set it for the epson and its clipped, scan attached.  Well before the 115th character.

Print from okular, setting it to landscape output, and get short pages, portrait.
set the print options in okular back to portrait (it is displaying in landscape) and get a perfect printout.

So there is a way to do it.  I think the lack of printer hanging may be the different, simplified ppd its now using.

But this sure seems like the sign just west (1/4 mile maybe) of Wall South Dakota, advising its 24,713 miles to Wall Drug, headed this way... 

This is all in .ps intermediate files of course.

Thanks & Cheers, Gene (who still isn't awake yet)