[Kde-print-devel] [Bug 113263] New: Better accessible printer driver settings

[Dik Takken]

------- You are receiving this mail because: -------
You are the assignee for the bug, or are watching the assignee.
         
http://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=113263         
           Summary: Better accessible printer driver settings
           Product: kdeprint
           Version: unspecified
          Platform: Gentoo Packages
        OS/Version: Linux
            Status: NEW
          Severity: wishlist
          Priority: NOR
         Component: general
        AssignedTo: kde-print-devel kde org
        ReportedBy: d.h.j.takken phys uu nl


Version:            (using KDE KDE 3.4.1)
Installed from:    Gentoo Packages
OS:                Linux

The printer device driver settings are very hard to find in KDE. Suppose I am typing a letter in MS Word and need to switch the printer from grayscale to color mode. How can I do that?

I looked for printer driver settings for quite a while, until I found it hidden deep in KControl. It takes 5 steps to reach it:

* Open KControl
* Open print system KCM module
* Select the printer you were planning to use
* Right click your mouse on the printer
* Choose 'Settings'

I would expect the printer KCM module to provide quick access to the most basic settings of my default printer. In stead, I find a very scary looking place, full of tabs with options about print systems, printer servers, and settings that I might want to use once a year or so. One tab looks promising: 'Settings'. Unfortunately, these are printer-server settings that I have never touched again after my printer had been set up years ago.

Finally, I found the basic printer settings hidden in the crowded RMB menu of the printer icon in the list of printers. Unfortunately, after I changed the driver settings,  they did not take effect.

As a last attempt to switch my printer to color mode, I started KWord, pressed the print icon, hit the 'properties' button and set the printer settings there. I closed KWord and printed my MS Word document again. It worked! :)

In short: Maybe the most basic printer settings should receive a more prominent place in the KCM module, and the advanced stuff that currently fills the KCM module could better be put out of sight. A nice 'Advanced' button might do the trick.. Or maybe split the KCM in two parts: One part called 'Printers' which should go in the peripherals section and one part called 'Print System' which should go in the system section.