What does not happen:
- Spooler does not pop up an alert on error
- Printing to a remote printer gives you no feedback whatsoever
- Per session configuration by a user
- Common dialog for selecting printers from applications
Very good points Philip. I think you may already have a tool for some of the above shortcomings in linux ..
#include <std_disclaimer.h> .. /* Now, I havent tried this in much detail myself, so I am not in a position to comment on any potential issues with it..*/
- Per session configuration by a user
KDE has kprinter dialog which is common to all KDE applications. Using a KDEPrint plugin for CUPS, you can use it like a wrapper for CUPS. You can also setup other apps to use it as your default printer, (IF it allows you to change its print command from lpr to "kprinter --stdin" ) .. this way, you can arrive at a common dialog for most applications.
see.. (http://printing.kde.org/faq/kdeprint.php) and (http://printing.kde.org/overview/kprinter.php)
- Per session configuration by a user
I think it also allows a "per-user" basis settings, which should avoid any "domestic conflict" scenarios you mentioned in your mail. (http://ait.web.psi.ch/services/linux_new/guides/user/printer/)
there's a kjobviewer tool with this package, which may have some of the feedbacks/alerts you are looking for... but as I said before.. I havent really used this myself.. so cannot comment on how good it is..
cheers, vivek