documentation-packages team mailing list archive

[Pete <pete.wilkins321@xxxxxxxxx>]

One suggestion would be to change the link name in the page below from
"Set up a local printer" to "Set up a printer" (as you stated) in the
page below.

Ubuntu 16.04 Official Printing Documentation
https://help.ubuntu.com/lts/ubuntu-help/printing.html

And then in the subsequent page (for Setup a Printer) add different
sections. One for setting up a local printer (which you have already)
and another section for "Adding a Network Printer", and you can include
instructions to connect to a printer via IP address here (or CUPS, or
Windows printer server - SMB).

On this page:
https://help.ubuntu.com/lts/ubuntu-help/printing-setup.html


However please note, you may want to try these steps yourself first. I have tried adding a network printer on three machines running 16.04 (fresh installs) and all were confusing to me via the Add Printer GUI wizard. 

Once I selected "Printers" > Add > Network Printer. It found my Brother
Printer, and I thought it installed fine. I went to print and it said my
printer could not be found. If found it when installing, but I think the
IP address was not specified, so it would not print to it later. I think
this is because the installation process the user follows needs changed
*(hence updated documentation).

I assume users are supposed to select "Printers" > Add > Network Printer
> "Find Network Printer" and in the "HOST" field enter the IP address of
your printer to get it to work. Is this correct? I have no idea because
the HOST name to me refers to the name on a network.

Since the GUI wizard is not clear on how to install a network printer
perhaps the Official documentation can but updated to compensate for
this.

I eventually got the printer installed on a couple machines, but I tried
a few things to get printer to point to the IP address.

-- 
You received this bug notification because you are a member of
Documentation Packages, which is subscribed to ubuntu-docs in Ubuntu.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1630272

Title:
  The "Official Documentation" for Ubuntu 16.04 does not include correct
  instructions on installing Printers.

Status in ubuntu-docs package in Ubuntu:
  Confirmed

Bug description:
  The "Official Documentation" for Ubuntu 16.04 does not include correct
  instructions on installing Printers.

  Following the Official Documentation guides for Ubuntu 16.04 (see
  below)

  Ubuntu 16.04 Official Printing Documentation
  https://help.ubuntu.com/lts/ubuntu-help/printing.html

  Ubuntu 16.04 Official Documentation:
  https://help.ubuntu.com/lts/ubuntu-help/index.html

  
  There is no Network Printer installation guide, but there should be. MOST desktop users now use network printers at home, small offices, and companies. Most printing in my experience is networked, not local. Most network printing is IP based printing, and users in Windows and Mac can easily install a network printer by providing its IP address and selecting the printer. Or installing the driver, then selecting the printer when adding the network printer by IP.

  Note: Many companies (and most home networks) use direct IP printing
  from the client, and do not forward print jobs to a print server.

  The Official Guide should include steps to clearly install a network
  printer for Ubuntu Desktop via IP address.

  I am reporting this here as the Official Doco pages state "To report
  errors in this documentation, file a bug."

  Thanks!

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