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System Requirements

This program requires an active Internet connection and the Java Runtime Environment (at least version 5). Most computers already have this installed; if not, you can download it here.

For Windows Users using the Installer

  1. Download the installer package and run the installer. Click "Install". After the installer shows a message stating that the install is complete, close the installer window. You only need to do this step once.
  2. If want to print a PDF or PostScript file, go to the Start Menu then choose Programs. Then find the Pitt Lab Printer folder and click on Pitt Lab Printer. Skip to step 8.
  3. If you want to print a file that's not a PDF, open the document that you want to print.
  4. Select the Print option in the program.
  5. Select the printer named "Pitt Lab Printer".
  6. Change the number of copies to print, if desired.
  7. Click "Print".
  8. The Pitt Lab Printer window will open. Select the lab that you want to print to and whether you want duplex or simplex printing.
  9. Type in your Pitt username and password.
  10. Click "Print".
  11. You will receive a confirmation message saying that the print job has been sent to the printer. Note that depending on your connection speed and size of the file, it may take over a minute to completely send the print job.
  12. To check that it is being printed, click on the "Check Print Quota" button on the window.

For Windows Users using the Zip File

  1. Make sure that you unzipped the PittLabPrinter.zip zip file by right-clicking on it, then clicking "Extract All...". Then open the unzipped folder.
  2. You need to convert the document you want to print to a PDF or PostScript. If the document is already a PDF or PostScript file, skip ahead to step 3.

    If don't want to install additional software, I recommend using Doc2PDF. Doc2PDF is a web-based program that converts documents to PDF. Convert your document to PDF using Doc2PDF by clicking here. After receiving the generated PDF file, proceed to step 3.

    Alternatively, you can install PDFCreator, a software package to convert your documents to PDF (or PostScript).
    Follow these steps to install and use PDFCreator:
    1. Download and install the PDFCreator here.
      Accept the license agreement, and continue clicking "Next" until it is installed.
      You only need to install the PDF Creator once.
    2. For Vista Users: The PDFCreator program needs to be started before you create a PDF. To start it, go to the Start Menu and click "All Programs". Then find the "PDFCreator" folder and click the "PDFCreator" program shortcut. PDFCreator will then be ready to create PDF's.
    3. Open the document you want to print using the program that you created it with (for example, open Microsoft Word to print a Word document, etc.), and select the Print option.
    4. Choose "PDFCreator" as the printer to use from the drop-down menu.
    5. Change any other settings that you wish, then click "Print".
    6. You will then be presented with a Save file box. Save the file.

  3. Open the Pitt Lab Printer program by double-clicking on the "ForWindowsUsers.bat" file.
    NOTE: If you click the "ForWindowsUsers.bat" file and nothing happens, make sure that Java (at least version 5) is installed. Download Java here.
  4. Select the desired file, destination lab, and select the simplex/duplex setting.
  5. Enter the number of copies that you wish to print (the maximum amount is 5).
  6. Enter your Pitt user name and password.
  7. Click print. You will see a bunch of text appear in the black window that opened. You can ignore this information (or check it out if you're curious; it's data about your computer negotiating with Pitt's servers).
  8. You will receive a confirmation message saying that the print job has been sent to the printer. Note that depending on your connection speed and size of the file, it may take over a minute to completely send the print job.
  9. To check that it is being printed, click on the "Check Print Quota" button on the window.

For All Other Systems

  1. Open the document that you wish to print.
  2. Go to the "Print" option.
  3. MAC USERS: Select the drop-down labeled "PDF" and select "Save PDF as PostScript". Make a name for the file.
    Open the PittLabPrinter folder and double-click on "PittLabPrinter.jar". The program will open.
  4. LINUX/Other USERS: Check the box labeled "Print to File" or select the printer named "Print to File" or something similar (the exact name depends on your Linux distro and desktop environment). Create a file name for the PostScript file and save it. Be sure to add the ".ps" extension to the end of the file name, if the program does not do that already.
    Open the Pitt Lab Printer program by opening a terminal session then changing your directory to the directory to where the program is located.
    Run the command "java -jar PittLabPrinter.jar".
  5. Select the desired file, destination lab, and select the simplex/duplex setting.
  6. Enter the number of copies that you wish to print (the maximum amount is 5).
  7. Enter your Pitt user name and password.
  8. Click print.
  9. You will receive a confirmation message saying that the print job has been sent to the printer. Note that depending on your connection speed and size of the file, it may take over a minute to completely send the print job.
  10. To check that it is being printed, click on the "Check Print Quota" button on the window.

Usage Agreement

This software is provided AS-IS. Use this program at your own risk. The creator of this product cannot be held responsible for any damages or loss directly or indirectly related to the use of this software.

Although you're not physically in the computer labs when you print using this program, you're still using University computing resources. This means that you still must abide by the University of Pittsburgh's Computing Policies and Procedures.

By using this software, you agree to the above conditions. If you do not agree, then immediately cease using this software.

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