Mixing Custom Filters and Logical Queues in QMSoft

The addprt utility in QMSoft permits the construction of logical queues that automatically
select certain paper handling features of the printer, for instance, duplexing, or selecting
a paper tray with three-hole paper.  Addprt also permits the inclusion of a custom filter,
like prtpost, which converts ASCII text files to postscript.  However, in QMSoft version 1.1
and earlier revisions, the user cannot call both custom filters and special paper handling
features in the same queue.

To get QMSoft to pass a print job through a special filter and then select specific paper
handling features, install a print queue as follows:

   1)Run Qinstall to compile the executable modules.  If this has already been done, it
does not need to be repeated.

   2)From the QMSoft directory, run addprt to create a print queue.  When the script asks
if you wish to create a custom filter, answer "No".  When the script asks if you wish to
create a logical queue, answer "Yes".  The  script will proceed to query you concerning
which features you desire to invoke through the queue; select the desired features.

   3)Edit the resulting filter in the printer's spool directory, called qfilter.  Usually it will be
found in /usr/spool/printername.  Perform the following edits:

     a)   In the group of externally defined variables starting on about line 69, you will find
a line which looks like this:

               FILQEF="cat -"

          Change the line to equate FILQEF with the command line of the filter you wish
to use. 
          For instance, if you are using prtpost to convert ASCII text files to postscript, the
          resulting line might read

               FILQEF="prtpost -N -2 -L "

          Note that you may use any filter you like as long as it reads from stdin and writes
to stdout.

     b)   The line which invokes $QEF, around line 172, currently looks like this:

               (cat $CATQEF -) 2>> $LOG | $FILQEF | $QEF etc.

          The line should be changed to read like this:

               (cat - | $FILQEF) 2>> $LOG | cat $CATQEF - | $QEF etc.

   Save your changes and enjoy your printer.

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