We are a group of volunteers doing free tax work for the commumity and would like to eliminate a printer for each computer if it is not too costly?
2006-08-26 12:11:53 · 4 answers · asked by John Q 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
The least expensive option is a 3-way switch. Each computer and the printer connect to the switch. They come in manual and automatic varieties. Any electronics store should have them. I just found a 4 port version at RadioShack.com for $49.99
http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=printer%20switch&origkw=printer%20switch
2006-08-27 06:57:40 · answer #1 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can use a wireless network, as the previous responder suggested. Or you can set up a wired network, using a router (they're dirt cheap these days) and ethernet cables; pick one computer to which to attach the printer. Or, you can define one computer as a hub, put two (additional) ethernet boards in it, connect the other computers to it, and connect the printer to it also. The Microsoft operating systems support all these options.
2006-08-26 12:59:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the computers are networked you can connect the printer to one computer, then share it on the network. I wonder if Michele's suggestion will work if the computers are not networked? I have just bought my first wireless print server, will be able to tell you more when I take it out of the box!
2006-08-26 12:58:36 · answer #3 · answered by TaxGuru 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a wireless printer server. It sets up easily. You use one printer and set it up to each computer. That way each computer can print to this one printer and that one printer doesn't have to be near any of the computers (you will have to take the printer to each computer when setting it up though). We have it in the house and it works great.
2006-08-26 12:19:27 · answer #4 · answered by Michelle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋