RE: Printer device USRDRV program -- MIDRANGE-L

> Now my question:  If this user driver program TSPLPRD has 
> been around since V4, why can't this be made into a true 
> system print driver program that's part of OS/400?  What I 
> mean is, in addition to *IBMSNMPDRV, *IBMIPPDRV, *IBMPJLDRV, 
> *HPPJLDRV, and whatever other ones are out there, couldn't 
> they make TSPLPRD a system driver program that is used by 
> entering *ASCIIDRV or *IBMASCIIDRV or whatever they want to call it?

I asked this question on Supportline and they indicated they have received a
lot of requests for this.  They suggested I fill out a design request form.
They stated the more requests they receive, the more likely it will come to
pass.

For your convenience <g> the form is inline here.  There are a few places
you need to provide information.

Forward the completed form to: DCRREQ@xxxxxxxxxxx  Thanks.

<Start of form>

                           Requested Information

Request Title:

Make TSPLPRD LPR Print Driver Exit Program a supported part of OS/400

Detailed Description of Request (Including Unique Usage):

As a customer, I spent many hours trying to get an Okidata ML491 ASCII
printer connected via an HP Jetdirect 500X external print server functioning
properly as a print device on an iSeries.  After a lot of time spent talking
to Supportline(87956-500), trying *IBMSNMPDRV, *IBMIPPDRV, and remote output
queues, it was only after I really really REALLY pushed to be able to use
this ASCII printer as a print device, that I was told about this exit
program.

Priority (check applicable priority)

___ Urgent
_X_ High
___ Medium
___ Low

If there is a deadline (date) for obtaining solution, when is it and why do
you need it by that deadline?

Deadline has passed.

Area where you believe the problem to be:  (check applicable area)

___ Client Access
___ Data Base
___ General
___ Hardware
___ Language/Compiler
___ Lotus
___ Network Enable/Comm
_X_ Print/Fax
___ Save/Restore
___ Web Serving
___ Work Management
___ Other:  (provide more information here)

Why is it important to your business to solve this request?  
What is the impact to your company if IBM does not provide a solution?

It will save a lot of time trying to get printers set up.  It will also save
time for the Supportline people as they won't need to be as heavily
involved.

Requirement Type (Select one)

  _X_ Long range or strategic (required to meet long-range needs)
  ___ Suggestion (you would like, but it is not critical)
  ___ Tactical (needed to solve a short-term problem)

Do you have a suggested solution?

TSPLPRD is an exit program in QUSRTOOL that has been around since V4 of
OS/400.  It solves the problem instantly.  It seems obvious to take this
program, make it part of OS/400, and support it.  It could be *IBMASCIIDRV
or *ASCIIDRV or whatever.

Other related information:  (include problem number, if available)

(type your information here)

Describe the environment in relation to this request.

(type your information here)

What is the Version and Release (for example, R430, R440, and so on)?

(type your information here)

Product Information

(type your information here)

Customer Information

Contact name:
Street Address:
City, State, and Zip Code:
Customer number:
Company name:
e-mail address:
Phone number (including area code):
Customer fax number:

<End of form>

-- 
Jeff Crosby
Dilgard Frozen Foods, Inc.
P.O. Box 13369
Ft. Wayne, IN 46868-3369
260-422-7531

The opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily the opinion of my
company.  Unless I say so.