[K12OSN] printing quotas...I need a solution

[Huck]

I use PyKota..and it rocks...was simple to install...works with LDAP as 
well as postgresql db's....
great support...and it's cheap to pay for =)
Jerome is very open to ideas and replies with solutions that usually 
include 'as mentioned in the documentation' =)

the only drawback I noticed is 2 days ago I added a color laser printer 
to a lab...
price per page is $00.50...
all students allowed to print on other printers 100 pages per 
quarter(black'n'white)...
so I was using 'page quota'(page count) instead of 'account 
balance'(dollar amount)
In order to charge the 50cents per page on the color printer I have to 
use 'account balance'
But...the 'account balance' is per user...not per printer...thus... I 
give $1.00 when they start the quarter...
they can print the 100 sheets on a black/white or...they can print twice 
on the color =)
if they print twice on the color they can no longer print on the black 
and white =(
It would be better(not easier to code I'm sure) if each individual had 
account balances on each printer.

And over Xmas vacation, a contributor coded up a web-based account 
management tool available here:

 http://opensource.psu.ac.th/~kanakorn/mambo/

I will say that if you are using Debian it's a much easier install and you get
some more nifty bells and whistles like the 'onscreen quota' thing...
see last screenshot on this page:

http://www.librelogiciel.com/software/PyKota/ScreenShots/action_ScreenShots


It's been a blessing in any effect.

--Huck




Robert Arkiletian wrote:

> David Trask wrote:
>
>> I know this has been tossed around before so pardon me for bringing 
>> it up
>> again, but I need help.  My printing situation is out of control...I 
>> need
>> a solution not only for K12LTSP, but for the entire 
>> network...Windows, OS
>>  
>>
> I have not tried PyKota but it's the only software that I know of for 
> this purpose
>
> http://www.librelogiciel.com/software
>
> Hope it helps.
>