[X Newbies] Sharing a usb printer between 2 macs

[Alex]

On Friday, Mar 5, 2004, at 01:04 Canada/Eastern, Gen Hadlow Mac Impact 
Dbn wrote:

> Is there a way to share a Samsung ML1210 printer with a G4 and an 
> iBook?
> Ibook is on system 10.3.2 and G4 still on system 9

You can use USB printer sharing, which is designed specifically for 
this purpose. Check your Help and the Apple Knowledge Base for 
instructions.

> Isn't a 2 port USB splitter available so that one could run usb cables 
> from
> each device to the splitter? Something like a "usb network"?

You most definitely do not want a splitter. Nor would a hub (the true 
USB equivalent of a splitter) serve. You are looking for a USB 
switchbox. I haven't seen any manual USB switchboxes (they may exist); 
I have seen automatic switchboxes, but all are designed for Windows 
(doesn't mean that there aren't any for the Mac). However, all of them 
are relatively expensive (e.g., USD 50). If you're using ML1210, 
they're not really worth it.

There are other possibilities as well, such as parallel-to-USB 
adapters, or print servers (a router-cum-print server is an elegant 
solution). But it's question of budget and needs.

f