Ref: 00630006
Title: Changing the Printer Form Type Under 3+
Date: 3/7/90

Copyright 3Com Corporation, 1991.  All rights reserved.

The "form type" option for a printer can be used to specify different
types of paper to print on; for example, different paper sizes, checks,
company letterhead and envelopes.  Users or groups of users can be
assigned a particular form number that corresponds to their special
printing need, defined as a form type.  The network administrator can
assign up to 99 form numbers for different form types, which should be
recorded in a list for future reference.

The default "form type" option for standard print jobs is defined by
the network administrator.  The default form number is 1; it selects the
reset sequence determined when the printer port is configured.

Without reconfiguring the printer port, the admin can change the form type
by using the "3P Resume ?" command.  This command gives the admin the
flexibility of allowing users that do not have a standard print job to
print without interfering with a standard print job's being sent to the
same printer.

For example, suppose a user in the legal department runs an application
specifically set to fill in defined spaces on a legal size form.  The
user needs to have access to the same printer that everyone in his
department is linked to, and normally prints in a standard format.  The
user is already linked to the printer but is currently set up to print on
the default form type 1.

Here are the steps needed to print a print job on a special form type:

1.  The user finds out from the admin the form number to be used for the
special print job.

2.  Before entering the application, the user issues a "3P set ?"
command, which will give several options, including "Form Number."  The
user changes the form number to the number the admin has given him.

    3P Set ?
    Printer ID (PRN:)?         You can find explanations of each
    Hold [ON/OFF]?             of these options in the
    Copies?                    3+ Administrator's Guide
    Priority?                         Volume II
    Defer [ON/OFF]?                    pp. 7-133
    Form Number?
    Spool ID?

3.  The user enters the application, does the work needed, and sends the
file to the printer.  The print job will stay in the queue until the Form
Type for the printer has been changed.

4.  The user calls the admin to request that the form type be changed
and to notify him that the user is waiting to change the paper tray.

5.  The admin issues a "3P Stop ?" command to stop printing on the
printer that will be loaded with the new form type.  (The file that
was printing is returned to the beginning of the queue, as though it
had not started printing.)

6.  The admin calls the user and has him change the paper.

7.  When the paper has been changed, the admin issues a "3P Resume ?"
command to specify a new form number to the printer.  After being changed,
the print queue will allow only print jobs with the specified form number
to be printed.  All other print jobs will be held in the queue until the
form number has been reset.

When the special print job is complete, repeat steps 5-7 to set the printer
back to the default form type.

