How to Print Files on Linux Remotely Using Dropbox

 

How to Print Files on Linux Remotely Using Dropbox

We all know how simple it is to simplify tasks using scripts in Linux, unlike in other Mac and Windows where the software is closed source. In Linux we can do all sorts of stuff, like in this instance, use it send print jobs from another remote computer.

The idea is to create a shell script that monitors your local Dropbox folder. Create a new folder in Dropbox, then name it PrintQueue or anything you like as long as it reminds you of remote printing. This is the folder where files will be monitored by the shell script.

If a new file is added to that folder via a remote computer, or even a mobile phone, the script will send the file to the attached printer.

Once the printing job is complete, the file will be removed from the folder.

Implementation is easy. All you need is this shell script that you can use in any Linux environment. You just need to setup a cron job for this script and let it run every 'n' seconds or minutes.

To initiate the job, simply add some files to the PrintQueue or whatever you name the folder for remote printing in the Dropbox or upload it via your mobile phone using the Dropbox app. You can also send the file via email using IFFT app. Wait for a few seconds and the script will start instructing the computer to print the files added in the folder

If you have multiple printers attached to the Linux computer, you can use the -p parameter to specify the printer name.

If you are using Ubuntu, install Gnome Schedule to setup the scheduled task with recurrence to either every second or every minute. To install the app, simple open Ubuntu Software Center or use this command in the terminal: sudo apt-get install gnome-schedule.

Here's the script

:#!/bin/bash

export PrintQueue="/root/Dropbox/PrintQueue";

IFS=$'\ '

for PrintFile in $(/bin/ls -1 ${PrintQueue})

do

lpr -r ${PrintQueue}/${PrintFile};

done

Remember if you use a different folder name for your remote printing replace "PrintQueue" with the one that you named

.

Decoding the script

Here's an annotation of the script to help you understand how it works:

#!/bin/bash

This is to instruct the computer that this is a bash file.

export PrintQueue

This is necessary in order for the variable to show up in the later $() subshell.

IFS=$'\n'

By default, spaces will wreck havoc in the 'for / in' loop, this will solve that.

/bin/ls -1

Use the /bin/ls to bypass common color-enabling aliases. Use -1 to force all files into one column.

lpr -r

This option deletes the file after it successfully prints.

Troubleshooting

Make sure that the printer is connected to your Linux machine and is working properly. Do a test print manually first before performing a remote print.

The printer and your Linux computer should be turned on at all times. Otherwise, the printing job will resume when both devices are turned on.

This handles multiple files in one go and is expected to print almost all file formats.

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