a2gs(1)

NAME

a2gs - formats ASCII text files in PostScript for gs.

SYNOPSIS

a2gs [ -TBLRwlpHtabsdnfmhH1234567890 ] [ --across --portrait --width # --length # --no-header --truncate --balance --show --double-space --number --file file --many-columns # --(top,bottom,left,right)-margin # --media type --help --(one,two,...)-column(s) --header header ] file

DESCRIPTION

a2gs formats a file for filtering through ghostscript; if no file is given, a2gs reads from the standard input. The format is completely variable by the user, with a default of: two columns on each landscape page, pr headers with useful information (page number, printing date, file name). Very useful for draft copies.

Options offered by a2gs are the following:

-T,--(top,bottom,left,right)-margin #

Specify the margins you want in inch, cm, or pixels. A default of inches is assumed if you fail to specify units. i.e. --top-margin 2.5cm

-w,--width #

Specify the number of characters you wish to print per line.

-l,--length #

Specify the number of lines you want on each page of paper.

-p,--portrait

Specify portrait instead of landscape.

-N,--no-header

Don't include a header and five footer lines normally appended by pr.

-t,--truncate

Don't wrap lines.

-a,--across

Print columns across rather than down.

-b,--balance

Balance columns on the last page.

-s,--show

Show non-printable characters

-d,--double-space

Use double spacing.

-n,--number

Number each line.

-f,--file file

Specify the input file. Only needed if your file name begins with a -.

-H,--header header

Specify a header to use instead of the file name.

-[1-9],--one-column,--two-columns,...

Specify how many columns you want per page.

-0,--many-columns

Specify a number of columns per page greater than ten.

-m,--media type

Set paper size. Valid types are: letter, legal, ledger, tabloid, statement, executive, a3, a4, a5, b4, b5, quarto, 10x14, folio

PAPER SIZE

The paper size is determined in the following order, with the first taking priority. Command line option, PAPERSIZE environment variable, contents of the /etc/papersize file, and finally the default, which is a4.

WARNING

This filter must be used only with text files. Avoid specially output from TeX, troff or any other such text formatters.

FILES

/etc/papersize

File containing one of the valid paper sizes.

ENVIRONMENT

PAPERSIZE

May be set to one of the valid paper sizes.

SEE ALSO

a2ps(1), gs(1), lpr(1)

AUTHOR

Bill C. Riemers <[email protected]>

REFERENCE

Ed Casas <[email protected]> wrote the original postscript header. Kenneth MacDonald <[email protected]> expanded paper size selection, cleaned and packaged a2gs for Debian/GNU Linux.

COPYRIGHT

a2gs may may be freely distributed and modified, but my copyright must kept, with a clear indication of what has been modified. No other person may claim authorship of a2gs.

BUGS

a2gs expects a valid media size in the first line of /etc/papersize and will ignore the rest of the file. No comments are allowed in /etc/papersize

a2gs generates PostScript which must be executed by the interpreter, which can cause problems with some invocations of gs