This TechSoup user is installing public WiFi AP in several libraries using the Linksys wrt54gs AP and is now looking into allowing the public to print (from their own personal notebooks) to the network printers located in each library.
There are a few problems:
1. How do the patrons find the printer so they can print to it?
2. How should printer drivers be installed?
3. The public WiFi (172.20.x.x) is separate from the “wired” network (192.168.x.x) in order to keep virus activity out of our “wired” network
The user has looked into these options:
1. PrintMe
Price: $600 per location (costly for the library) Allows patrons to upload documentss and webpages to their server and it sent to a workstation located in the library to be printed.
2. Printspots
Price: $395 per location (still pretty costly). Works just like PrintMe, but allows for credit card charges, if needed.
3. Wireless Print Server
The printers have both a network card and parallel ports on them. Would the public have to install the printer drivers?
The user would also be interested in an open source version of PrintMe or Printspots.
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