Reliable network printing

[christoph at linuxsoup.com (Christoph)]

Good day everyone!

I have a question. First the setup.  Over the years I've been relatively
satisfied with printing on Linux using lprng.  My last printer (a
parrallel based Epson Color Inkjet 880 I think it was) lasted for many
years and did what I asked for a very cheap price.  It's dead.

So I recently got myself a HP LaserJet 1012.  It's USB only.

I find USB printing with CUPS ok, but the system doesn't do so well if
the USB plug is removed/inserted or if the printers power is flipped
while the host is running.  Meaning, anything that causes the USB
hotplug to mess with the queues, seems to cause a lot of grief requiring
manual intervention.

So I got myself a NetGear USB Print Server.  I hooked it up, setup a LPD
print queue and it works ... mostly.  Sometimes the printer gets into a
odd state requiring a power cycle.

So here are my questions:

1) do any of you have similar problems with printing?
2) do any of you have a reliable/recommended print solution (good driver
support + minimal manual queue maintenance) for home office with roughly
5 work stations?

Thanks for any and all feedback...

-christoph