[IAEP] Regarding adding PRINT Support to the XOs

[Vamsi Krishna Davuluri]

Hello!
 There is a correction,
 Even in method one It will be possible to do printing from the journal, the
only disadvantage will be the lack of a print job evaluation server side.
Teacher wont be able to evaluate the work in method one.

Thank you

On Mon, Mar 23, 2009 at 9:12 PM, Vamsi Krishna Davuluri <
vamsi.davuluri at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello,
>
>
>         I am Vamsi from India, and I'm trying to get into GSoC(google
> summer of code ) this year, and I intend to add print support to XO laptops.
>
>
>
>         We have a conflicting issue here, i.e To add usb printing directly
> to the xos and support network printing , or not add usb printing and do
> only network printing.
>
>   This I speak in a general NON-TECHNICAL perspective.
>
>  The first approach would have me require installing a printing tool(the
> cups daemon) on the laptops, and due to certain constraints and GSoC being
> two months, I can only add print support to      activities that require it.
> The printing will be done within that particular activity, and there will be
> an option to select either network printer, or local usb printer. There will
> also be an activity in Control Panel to configure the printer or rather
> select which one. As minimal options is best for the kids.
>
> The network printing would be done the same way as on a normal network,
> clients connected to a print server.
>
> The second would give me and in-turn users more flexibility, that is the
> print button in any activity would send a saved doc/image/ etc to the
> journal, the user will be prompted with a notification, so as to send it to
> the school server immediately or let it remain in the journal. if the user
> wishes to send his requests in bulk, he can save all his work to the
> journal, and instead of the generic groups in the journal, we will have a
> new pending print requests group there. He can then go to the print queue,
> and select files he wishes to print and send them for printing with a click.
>
> The XS will have a background program which listens for requests. And when
> requests come, a GUI will open with information regarding origin, file size,
> type. The teacher can view the request, and print it if he/she deems it
> appropriate. And send an acknowledgement back to the job originator that the
> print has /not/ been done.
>
> ( I personally like the flexibity the second approach presents, most of
> approach one is automatic, and print requests would have to be rendered into
> A printable format client side only, making it impossible to view them on
> the teachers school server)
>
> And the second idea came into manifestation only after many have expressed
> displeasure at having a print feature in the laptops, as many fear the
> prospect of misuse, the kids would never consider all the predicaments
> involved in printing, they would abuse paper for little settings, they would
> print for every little thing they have done and will want to reward
> themselves for the smallest thing.
>
> AND, good news is I have fixed Write to export-to-pdf(it can save to pdf
> now!) but sadly enough that cannot be reread by Write as of yet, so printing
> a pdf from word is not possible through method one(as anything printed by
> method one must be currently in use on the screen) But with method two we
> can just transfer the pdf and the teacher can approve it for printing.
>
> Your opinions will be highly valued, and it will be final word for me to
> proceed with my proposal.
>
> As you can see I am a bit biased about approach two, but I will value your
> opinions!
>
>
> Thank you
>
> Vamsi Krishna Davuluri
>
>
>
>
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