system-config-printer-applet

system-config-printer-applet

The system-config-printer-applet command launches the printer configuration GUI within the GNOME desktop environment. It provides a user-friendly interface for managing printers, including adding new printers, configuring existing printers, setting default printers, and managing print queues.

This applet simplifies printer management tasks for users who prefer a graphical interface over command-line utilities. It allows users to easily connect to local and network printers, configure printer drivers, and troubleshoot printing issues. The applet leverages the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) for managing printing tasks behind the scenes, abstracting away much of the complexity.

The user interface includes options for setting printer options such as paper size, orientation, and print quality. It also offers a mechanism for sharing printers over a network, allowing other users to access the configured printers. The applet is typically integrated into the system tray or accessible through the system settings.

The system-config-printer-applet requires a running X server and the GNOME desktop environment to function properly. Its effectiveness may be limited in environments with custom printing configurations or when dealing with specific printer drivers that are not well-supported by CUPS. It can not be executed in a console.

This application must be run as a regular user to configure printers for that user. System-wide printer configuration might require administrative privileges.

The system-config-printer-applet has evolved alongside the GNOME desktop environment. It was created to provide a user-friendly graphical interface for printer configuration, simplifying the process for end-users compared to command-line utilities or manual configuration of CUPS. Over time, it has been updated to support new printer models, network protocols, and features within CUPS. Its development aligns with the overall goal of making Linux systems more accessible and user-friendly for a wider audience.

system-config-printer(8), lp(1), lpstat(1), cupsd(8)