On Sat, Apr 07, 2012 at 06:48:59PM +1000, Mark Trickett wrote:
i want to print some labels to put on stuff. like disk identifiers to stick on the handles of my hot-swap bays. nothing fancy, just needs to do a simple job, do it well, and not cost too much per label.
If you are prepared to do a full sheet of Avery or similar labels in a print run, then play with Postscript.
i did that a few times many years ago (first time on a Mac SE30 and an original LaserWriter back in about 1986 IIRC). it wasn't pleasant to print only partial sheets back then, and i doubt the experience has improved much since. those full page label sheets are really meant for mailing-list runs and bulk-printing jam jar labels and the like. not as a substitute for a hand-held dymo labeler or similar.
From what I have seen of your competence, you are more than capable of knocking up a script to put it into a Postscript template. Postscript can be a bugger first up, but competence with an RPN calculator can be a big help.
maybe so, maybe not. the fact is, though, that i don't *want* to mess about with hand-coding postscript. i already have enough yaks that need shaving. i want to print some simple text on a little label with minimal fuss and hassle.
i also want to be able to print once-off labels with something as simple as 'echo text | lpr -Plabelprinter'
I have seen those "little" label printers, but not necessarily cheap.
they seem to cost between $70-$150 for basic models. cheap enough for me. and if a label on a drive's hot-swap handle stops me from yanking the wrong drive even once, worth every cent. craig -- craig sanders <cas@taz.net.au> BOFH excuse #147: Party-bug in the Aloha protocol.