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Dropbox printing with eprint.vps

Gilman

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I understand how to print with dropbox and eprinting. But now I want to print from a second computer at a different location. If I install dropbox on the second computer and move a document into the queue will the first computer also print that document?

Any advice will be appreciated.
 
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Gilman

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How do you guys print from an iPad to multiple locations? I can't be the only one needing to do this. Thanks.
 

twerppoet

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I rarely need to print form the iPad, so I have not given much thought to printing from multiple locations; but this is what occurs to me off the top of my head.

Well, if you have enough access to the computer to install DropBox, all you really need to do is access to DropBox using a web browser on that computer, download the document and print it.

It's a good enough one time or occasional solution.

If you need a more permanent solution, and have the ability to download software on the computer I recommend looking at FingerPrint. Provided the computer and iPad are on the same wi-fi network you'll be able to set up and print to any printer that the computer can.

Another possibility for work (if you want a solution for everyone with an iPad) is XPrintServer.

Here is some general info about printing from the iPad, in case there is anything you were not aware of. It might give you some ideas.

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Some printers are directly compatible with AirPrint on the iPad. If you want this feature be absolutely certain the printer supports AirPrint before buying. Some printers may require a firmware update to work. These are usually available on the manufacturers site. If you get this kind of printer you can print directly from within apps that support the feature, which is many.

iOS: AirPrint 101

Of course some of us already have printers and do not want to buy a new one. There are several ways to do this.

One is to use a printing app on the iPad.

Most (or all) other print apps can only print pictures and/or files that have been copied to that app via Open In or other method. Print n Share used to be able to print from AirPrint enabled apps if it was loaded the background. It lost this ability with iOS 5. It may still work with iOS 4 if you get it before the app is updated in the App Store. Several printer manufacturers have their own apps for their printers. In general those apps will probably have the best results, quality wise.

The second method is to load a program on the computer that will emulate an AirPrint compatible printer. Your computer must be on and have the printer available to it. The cheapest (free) is Airprint Activator. More features can be had with FingerPrint (mac and windows) and Printopia (mac only).

There is a third way. A few printers (mostly HP's again) can be set up with their own email address. PDF attachments can be sent via this address to be printed. The last review I saw (several months ago) said it could be quite slow (big files not recommended), and sometimes the emails got lost and never printed. The advantage was that you could literally send/print from anywhere you have an internet connection.

There is a new wrinkle for small business owners and those with more than one printer who would like all their printers to work, but don't want to leave a computer on all the time. The Lantronix XPrintServer is a small box that connects to your network and is supposed to detect and make all your wireless printers available to iOS as AirPrint printers. I haven't seen a full review on it yet, so do your research.
 

dhewson777

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Gilman said:
I understand how to print with dropbox and eprinting. But now I want to print from a second computer at a different location. If I install dropbox on the second computer and move a document into the queue will the first computer also print that document?

Any advice will be appreciated.

I would say so. I think somehow you would need a print folder in the Dropbox for each printer. That may mean needing to tweak the vbs to look to a folder named something other than PrintQueue.
 

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