The Print Spooler
If ever you run a report, the Vatbook, your invoices etc you will have the option to send the output to the Print Spooler or Spooler. This is a storage space between the program that has been run and the printer.
The Print Spooler is accessed from the main menu via:
Text Utilities > Print Spooler {Classic}
Reports > Spooler {New Style}
Once accessed you will see a screen similar to that shown below:
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | PremierVet Support - Play Area Text Utilities (jamie) | +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Backgrou 23.01.01 15:00 Validation Run D.3192.1 | |Backgrou 04.01.01 12:40 Validation Run D.9031.1 | |jamesc 19.12.00 16:03 Vatbook 19.12.00 - 16:03 D.18612.1 | |jennifer 15.12.00 16:01 liz D.19678.1 | |jennifer 13.12.00 9:58 Recall summary D.22154.2 | |jennifer 13.12.00 9:58 Recalls (11.00) D.22154.1 | |Backgrou 01.12.00 11:26 Validation Run D.21384.1 | |jamie 23.11.00 10:42 Invoice run (main) D.21373.1 | |jamie 23.11.00 10:42 Invoice Summary D.21373.2 | |jamie 21.11.00 15:12 Vatbook 21.11.00 - 15:12 D.5730.1 | |jamie 16.11.00 13:11 Invoice Summary D.13133.2 | |jamie 16.11.00 13:11 Invoice run (main) D.13133.1 | +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
This is a list of the spool jobs that have been created on the system along with who created them and at what time. Up to 500 files are displayed on this list at any one time, however if you have more than 500 then the jobs over 500 will not be visible until the earlier jobs are deleted or archived. (See Deleting files in the print spooler for how to do this).
To view/print/mail etc any of the files in the print spooler highlight the necessary file using the arrow keys and then press return. This opens a window with something similar to the following information:
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |PremierVet Support - Play Area Text Utilities (jamie) | +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ User : lee Date & Time : 01.03.01 12:19 What : Invoice Summary Printer Cmd : lpr -c -s -dmain Filename : spool/4139.2 Filesize : 877 bytes Shrunk? : No +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Delete Print Reduce Copy View Mail-it Send Quit
The View option will display the job on the screen using the utility less, while in Less you can use the following keys:
| q | Quit back to the menu |
|---|---|
| Space | Moved to next page |
| / text | Search for text |
| b | Scroll Back |
| d | Scroll Down |
| g | Jump to the TOP of the document |
| G | Jump to the BOTTOM of the document |
The Mail option allows you to send the report to an E-Mail address. You will be asked the Subject and the address to send it to. Additionally, you have the option to add comments to the mail before being sent.
The Copy option is usually used to make a copy somewhere else on the the hard disk however if the filename STARTS with a: the system will assume you want to copy to a dos floppy allowing you to transfer jobs to a Windows PC.
Marking files in the Print Spooler
Marking enties allows you to either deleted or Archive the job. If you just want to delete one file then you are easier selecting the file as above and using the Delete option.
If you want to delete (or archive) a number of jobs then:
- Use the Arrow keys to move up/down and press the <space bar> to mark
the job. The line will change colour (uses colour event 218 for marking).
- Press the '/' key, this allows you to mark records based on a specific criteria. When asked enter:
text Will mark based on the text e.g. invoice summary will mark ALL jobs where that text appears in the description. = dd.mm.yy Mark all records where the jobs was created on the date specified. <dd.mm.yy Mark all records where the jobs was created BEFORE the date specified. >dd.mm.yy Mark all records where the jobs was created AFTER the date specified.
Only the 1st 500 jobs in the spooler will be checked this way.
Then when you press ESC to exit the print spooler you are shown the following:
There are 5 marked item(s) Delete Archive Quit
You can either Quit without saving (good if
you've chosen the wrong file by accident),
Archive move the files to a different area of the hard
drive (Move important end-of-month/year jobs to the 'Archive Area', which
frees up space in the main spooler and stops users deleting them by
mistake.) or Delete remove the files
from the system altogether (once they are gone thats it!!).
With the Delete option you have and additional question:
Deleted file - please confirm:
| Yes | Will delete the file |
| No | Do not delete |
| All | Assume Yes has been selected for ALL files |
To access the Archive area you need to enter an asterix ('*') on the Text Utilities menu and the wotk 'Archive' will appear beside the Print Spooler option.
Note: If using New Style Menus you need to select the print spooler via Sys Administration -> Other Applications as the archive area is locked out when accessed via the Report -> Spooler option.