Overview

This bulletin describes how to install the Pipsta source and the CUPS drivers using the Debian package based installer. These instruction are based on a clean Raspbian ('Jessie') system.

Background

The Pipsta project now has quite a few dependencies. Whilst installing Pipsta from source has been aided with verify_pipsta_install.py. It is still laborious and error prone. The package based installation also calls in the new CUPS driver. This allows the Pipsta printer to used through the normal CUPS interfaces.

Preparation

It is recommended that the printer's firmware is upgraded to the latest release. To do this download the Pipsta printer tools and the latest firmware.

Install Pipsta Printer Tools

$ sudo dpkg -i pipsta-printer-utilities-1.1.1-Linux.deb
$ sudo apt-get -f install

Upgrade Firmware

$ sudo fpu V9_2_09.able

To verify the installation disconnect the printer from the USB and it's power source. Reconnect the printer's power source (you can optionally connect the USB as well). Then perform a test print by double-pressing the button on the front of the printer. The test printer should display the correct firmware version.

Installing the CUPS Driver

The CUPS driver can be installed independently. This allows the Pipsta to be used as a basic printer. The CUPS driver can be installed over an existing Pipsta system, simply adding CUPS based printing but not affecting the users Pipsta set up. Download the CUPS driver then follow the instructions below.

$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo dpkg -i pipsta-cups-driver-0.3.0-armhf.deb
$ sudo apt-get -f install

Testing

To check the printer is working connect the USB and the printer's power supply then send a plain text file to the printer. For example the following command should print out your bash profile.

$ lp ~/.profile

Printing

It should be possible to print out PDF's and images but you may want to read up on how to control CUPS printing (page layouts and borders etc ...). See Printing Using CUPS for some hints and tips.

Troubleshooting

Printer is not Responding

There can be a multitude of reasons.

The user doesn't have print permissions

Refer to the CUPS manual

The installer has installed some files with incorrect permissions

Occasionally some files are installed with the wrong permissions. This is a problem we are aware of and that we do keep an eye out for. However it still sometimes occurs. To identify this look in /var/lib/cups/error_log for a line containing "/usr/lib/cups/backend" has insecure permissions. A fix for this is below, it will be refined later. The issue was caused by a change (a valid change) in security requirements for CUPS components.

sudo chmod 2755 /usr/lib/cups/{backend,filter}

Uninstalling

This is best done using the apt-get tool as you would with any other package.

Installing the Pipsta Examples Package (if necessary)

Points to note. For the CUPS support the USB ID for the printer had to change. This means that none of the examples work out of the box with the latest firmware. In order to fix this the examples will need to be modified. The instructions for this have been added.

After downloading the Pipsta Tutorials follow the instructions below.

$ sudo dpkg -i pipsta-0.3.0-armhf.deb
$ sudo apt-get -f install
$ find /usr/share/pipsta -type f -name "*.py" -print0 | xargs -0 sudo sed -i 's/A053/A19D/g'

Testing

python /usr/share/pipsta/verify_pipsta_install.py

Uninstalling

Uninstalling will only remove the system copy of the examples. Any copies you have made, created or edited will not be removed.