[COLUG] Printing Slower Under Ubuntu

[Mark Erbaugh]

I am running Ubuntu 6.06. I have a Brother MFC-8820D all in one
(printer, scan, copy, fax). I'm using the Brother supplied PPD file and
CUPS for printing.

I have noticed that my printer is considerably slower when printing
under Linux than under Windows.  In addition, when I need to print
multiple copies, it seems like Linux downloads the pages multiple times,
while it looks like Windows downloads the page once and tells the
printer to make multiple copies.

This printer supports duplex printing.  It does this by printing one
side, partially ejecting the page, then taking it back in to print the
other side.

I usually leave CUPS set up to print Duplex. When I print a job that
doesn't need duplex, I use the printer setup dialog before printing to
disable duplex. I have noticed that the printer still partially ejects
the page, then takes it back and then ejects it, with no printing on the
back side. OTOH, if I go into the CUPS setup and disable duplex
printing, the pages are ejected directly without being taken back.

My printing comparisons are based upon Adobe Reader on Windows and Linux
and Evince document viewer on Linux.

Thanks,
Mark