Windows Printing (Printer Basics)

Printing from a windows application is very easy. Just open the File menu and select “Print” command. Windows has been offering different methods to configure printer with the OS. Currently widows support Novell Netware printing, LPR printing, IPP printing and Email printing.
Which Print Method to Use?
The optimum Windows printing configuration depends upon your particular environment including user and administrator experience and preferences. Netware print Services will be utilized when an Netware Server is present. LPR printing is being used most commonly if TCP/IP is already in use. NetBEUI Peer to Peer printing is most often utilized when a centralized NetWare or Windows Print Server is not used. IPP or e-mail printing
is utilized when printing across the Internet is required.
In general, remember the following about different printing methods:
LPR:
Printing to a Windows LPR spooler over TCP/IP. I have described what is “spooling” in my last posts. Just remember that this function may be helpful if you are going to print a lot of data and also want to work on the application from which you are printing. By using “spool” all printing data is temporarily saved in another folder and transferred to the printer form there, not from the application, so application is free to accept further commands.
IPP:
Printing over the Internet or intranet using the Internet Printing Protocol. Printing over the internet is very popular these day. I'll explain it later in a new post.
E-Mail:
With this function, a print job can be e-mailed to a remote printer, such as over the Internet, using the standard print function in any Windows application.
NetBEUI:
Peer to Peer printing using the NetBEUI protocol. Printers are available in Network Neighborhood.
Windows Printer Sharing:
Printing to a shared network printer which is configured on another Windows machine.