Apache OpenOffice (AOO) Bugzilla – Issue 56352
Tip (Hint) of the "PRINT_DIRECTLY" BUTTON
Last modified: 2008-02-13 13:10:14 UTC
It would be very helpfull if the button for printing directly to the printer would have the name of the printer that will print the paper in its TIP. The message "Print file directly" is not enough when you have many printers installed. Even if the choosen printer is the right one you HAVE TO go to File- >Print to make sure the file is going where you meant to send it. It would much more simple if the tip would carry with it the name of the default printer (Ms Word style). thank you
Created attachment 30689 [details] Image of the actual TIP
Reassigned to HI.
Reassigned to requirements
It seems to be simple to be done, I would be very prod if I would have my small contribution to OOO.
No news ... and OOO is developing fast. Another ORIGINAL ideea is to make a drop down list instead of a button, jjust like the UNDO/REDO button. The list should contain all the printers installed on the computer and a click on a printer in the list (if the user drops the list) should print directly to that printer. If the mouse rests on the button the TIP of the button should tell what printer is default. THAT IS A BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG HELP FOR THOSE (LIKE ME) WHO HAVE MANY PRINTERS INSTALED ON THE COMPUTER. A click on the big square part of the button (not on the arrow) should print directly to the default printer and the tip should tell which is that. The new button for print_directly should be as big as the undo button and should have the same kind of dropping down. Good ideea? Please give me a sign of life ...
Created attachment 39153 [details] new print directly drop down list
*** Issue 69699 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***
Confirming, changing component to framework.
cd->kpalagin: I have a developer, Liang Weike, from RedFlag 2000 who wants to implement the feature. We now need a specification that describes the enhancement. cd: Set myself as owner. I will check the patch contribution from Liang Weike.
Carsten, do you have handy link to any specification or specification template? Thanks a lot!
cd->kpalagin: You can find a wiki based specification template here: http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Specification_Template I would prefer a wiki based specification so we can make changes more easily and all iTeam members can see the latest version. I will find a QA representative for the enhancement. cd: Set issue to started. Liang Weike wants to start as soon as possible.
After spending 2.5 hours trying to create specification based on template I must admit failure. Could somebody either start new spec or guide me in this? Thanks a lot.
It seeams that after 2 years and 3 months you found my ideea as usefull. I will be very prod to know that I had a very small contribution to what OOO will be. Please do not drop the work on this. Thank you.
cd->kpalagin: If you have problems using a wiki you can use the following Writer document ( http://specs.openoffice.org/collaterals/template/2.0/OpenOffice-org-Specification-Template.ott ) to write the specification. You can find more information on how to write a spec here: http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Category:Specification Please be aware that we need a specification to implement your proposed enhancement.
Created attachment 48779 [details] Specification - initial draft
cd->kpalagin: Thanks for the first draft. I will try to find a QA representative and inform the documentation team. cd: Set liangweike on CC.
cd: We have a technical problem which prevents us from implementing this enhancement request. There was a huge effort to remove code that printer objects are created at startup. The tooltip implementation needs a printer object to retrieve the name. Unfortunately there is no easy way to create the printer object without blocking the application. The blocking can last on some systems from some seconds to minutes. I fear that most people are not willing to pay that price for this feature. I will try to talk with the user experience team to have an option to turn on/off this feature. So people can decide on their own. The real solution would be to have a function which can be used in a thread which doesn't block the application. Currently there is no function available. I wrote a request to the gsl team (see #82463) and add it as a blocker for this enhancement request.
cd: Some news about the blocking problem. PL stated that GetDefaultPrinterName() which is we want to use for the "print directly" button shouldn't block on the supported platforms. Liang Weike send me a patch which implements the enhancement. I will add this enhancement to a separated CWS which must be tested very seriously. If "GetDefaultPrinterName()" blocks for some scenarios we create a serious regression for some people (especially for network printers which are not responding).
If this is such a risky move then we should integrate this RFE as soon as possible - long before any deadlines.
cd->kpalagin: You're right that we should integrate such a "risky" enhancement very soon. But we are also responsible to test our changes in detail. We are not allowed to integrate something which we can break something. I think I will create a separate CWS and provide installation sets for the community. We should ask as many people as possible to join us to test this feature with their special environment. I will try to contact people who send us issues regarding a blocked office due to not responding network printers.
I can test any version of OOO in a network with printers that do not respond. I wil be glad to help. Bogdan P.S. I never though to be such a hard work for a tooltip. But if you guys took it seriously please consider this attachement (http://www.openoffice.org/nonav/ issues/showattachment.cgi/39153/print_directly.jpg) (id=39153) as a thing no other program on the market has. thank you.
cd->bogdan1: Thanks for your offer to help us to check that this feature doesn't introduce a regression for other users. I can fully understand your feature request with the drop down box, but that would need a much higher effort to complete it. I would suggest that you write a second request for enhancement where you propose your solution with the drop down box.
Please find the most current spec in CVS from now on: http://specs.openoffice.org/appwide/printing/Print_Directly_Button.odt Feedback welcome!
There are installation sets for Windows and Linux (en-US) with a implementation of the print directly enhancement. See: http://ooo.services.openoffice.org/pub/OpenOffice.org/cws/upload/printdirectinfo/ Please test carefully and provide feedback. Especially network printers scenarios where the printer are not reachable (turned off/broken network,etc.).
I have tried abusing Office with unavailable printers on Windows XP - no problems found.
cd->kpalagin: Thanks for your feedback, so there are good chances that we are save for Windows. Now we need to test under Linux. Could you or bogdan1 tests the enhancement with Linux?
Created attachment 49260 [details] The file includes the changes we made for tests.
cd: REMINDER: I need feedback for Linux. This CWS cannot be integrated into OOo 2.4 without your help. Please give me feedback latest 5th of November.
Add CC. Will test it on GNU/Linux.
I found 2 problems with the current implementation. Environment: Debian GNU/Linux (Etch), no local printers, 2 Samba printers via CUPS: HP LaserJet 1022 (Default in CUPS) and Canon Pixma iP4000 1. OOo doesn't use CUPS information about default printer. In my case OOo offers to print via the first (alphabetically sorted) printer (Canon). Should be default (HP). 2. If there is no default printer set in CUPS (no <DefaultPrinter> in /etc/cups/printers.conf) OOo offers to print via "Generic Printer" which is not listed in File - Print dialog.
rail, am I correct in understanding that problems you describe are not related to this patch and existed long before?
Hmm, I cannot reproduce it now... Let me test it deeper and review this CWS.
I tested this CWS with fresh user config and almost everything went smooth. I tested this feature without network connection, with unreachable network machine (printer provider) and need to test with unplugged printer (to be done today). I took a look at printdirectinfo CWS patch and think that the only thing we need to test is Printer::GetDefaultPrinter behavior, all other things are not related to this task. "Generic Printer" issue is OOo-CUPS related feature :) which provides generic printer device even if CUPS server is offline. WBR, Rail Aliev
3rd day of using without any problem and slowness. Also tested with disconnected printers. GO from me. WBR, Rail Aliev
cd->rail: Thanks for your work. I will set this enhancement to FIXED now. cd: Set to fixed state. Community made tests for Windows and Linux without any "performance" problem.
cd->hi: Please verify. As the community already made detailed tests regarding performance problems with non-responding printers it's up to you what and how much you want to test.
Verified with cws printdirectinfo = ok
Still ok in OOH680m6_9268