WiFi printing at UCC

11.15.2004

Lesson learned today: If you wanna print from your laptop wirelessly on Western's campus, ignore any instructions the lab staff wants to give you. First, because they have no actual "instructions" to give. Second, because someone that doesn't know what a printer que is shouldn't be giving remote printing instructions.

If you have a Mac w/ OS X, and access to the WMU wireless network, here's what you do:

  1. Sit down.
  2. Open the file you want, and hit Open-Apple-P.
  3. Look at the printer menu, the Rendezvous listings include BCC lab printers. If you want one of these, select it, and hit "Print". If not, continue to 4.
  4. Select "Edit Printer List" from the printer drop down menu. This launches the Printer Setup Utility application.
  5. Hit "Add" on the toolbar menu.
  6. Select "IP Printing" from the drop down menu.
  7. Insert this IP address: 141.218.25.26.

That's it, you're ready to print. And note that you'll print from UCC lab's HP 4200 "F" (the printer closest to the library). Enjoy.

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NOTE: These instructions don't seem to be available anywhere on Western's online help pages. They should be.

Posted by Miguel at 11:01 PM

Comments

first, it's "queue"

second, i am suprised that WMU does not have these instructions anywhere, especially considering that printing is one of the most basic needs for working on a campus. if people write papers in college, they will need to print. also because setting up these printers (especially in the Mac OS) is actually very simple to do...as you explain! you should write the WiFi FAQ for Western, Miguel.

Posted by: mark at November 16, 2004 07:47 AM

Yeah, the lab staff were absolutely unhelpful. And when I started printing, I just naturally selected the first printer in the Rendezvous menu, an HP 8150. When I went to pick up my copies, I discovered it was not the 8150 behind the front desk (but the one at the BCC lab). This took time, though, because the people back there A) didn't know how to check their queue & B) didn't know what a Rendezvous connection was. When I explained that I was on a Mac & that apparently the HP 8150 was the default Rendezvous group printer & could they check their queue please I got a blank stare followed by "we use Novell". I didn't know whether to laugh or vomit.

Posted by: Miguel [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 16, 2004 08:29 AM

well, if Western's computer lab staff is anything like I used to be when on MSU's staff...

they're all hopped up on speed and too busy IM-ing and playing games online to help anyone...

(of course, in my day... it was chatting on a BBS and MUDDING.)

Oh, start looking for updates on my blog starting tomorrow. The list is REBORN!

Posted by: e_prime at November 16, 2004 03:04 PM

that's funny, last time i checked Novell wasn't a workstation OS but a network client and server software (in which the Mac OS can use just as easy, if not easier, than Windows). and regardless, the printers were connected to the network, therefore, they were getting an IP address, enabling any modern OS, either Windows, Linux, Mac or other to use it. what a bunch of morons.

Posted by: mark at November 16, 2004 04:10 PM