Printers that connect directly to the network via ethernet constitute one of the most brilliant innovations ever. Simply plug a printer in and turn it on-and soon you have a device that's avail¬able to every computer on the network.

To find and install a network printer in Windows, go to Control Panel, open Pn'nters and Faxes (just plain Printers in Vista), click Add a printer, and use the network-printer option in the resulting dialog box to browse for the printer on the network. In XP, network printers may the network. In XP, network printers may not show up if your computer's workgroup name differs from the one to which the printer belongs. To locate the printer, join its workgroup.

Name: Hooking Up Printers.jpg Views: 554 Size: 21.6 KB

In OS X 10.5, open System Preferences, choose Print and Fax, click the lock icon to allow changes, and then click the plus sign to add a printer. If your desired printer doesn't appear in the Default list, you might find it listed under the Windows category, which allows you to select printers shared on any local Windows workgroup. Choose the printer you want, and click Add.

To install a printer in the popular Ubuntu Linux distribution, choose System.Administration.Pn'nting, click New Pn'nter, select the printer in the resulting list, and then click Forward to select the correct driver and install the printer.