Ubuntu to Airport, come in Airport

So, I’ve been scared.  Really scared.  You see, I’m so used to the printer “just working” on the Windows side of things that I’m quite worried about setting up networked printing on Ubuntu.  I mean, I’ve read horror stories of trolling through Canon’s European support ftp server to look for the right driver for my IP5200.

Then I found this:

HOW-TO: Printing from Ubuntu to a USB Printer on Airport Extreme Base Station - Ubuntu Forums

This little handy guide worked like a charm for my Gutsy installation.  I was able to determine that port 9101 was open on my Airport Extreme (UFO, not theMac-Mini style) and used the GUI printer admin tool to set this guy up in no time.  Surprisingly, I found that not only was my driver listed in the Windows-esque “add a printer” util, but it worked right off the bat.

At first, I printed the sample page and was worried that it wasn’t working since it didn’t come out right away.  I let the computer sit for a while and, lo and behold, it finally started working, albeit slowly.  Nevertheless, I’m happy that I can now print from Ubuntu to my IP5200 hooked up on my Airport Extreme base station.