Dear All

I hope you don't mind my sending this query to the list. I emailed a UK
mailing list for Ejournals/serials librarians last week and received no
response, so thought I would cast my net a little wider this time.

Has anyone else been experiencing printing problems with JSTOR articles?

The problem for us lies in that whilst the download option allows users
to
choose which print option they prefer -high quality or economy- the
print
icon does not. It is defaulting to the high-quality print option which
causes problems as the files are often too large to print. Last week, I
asked JSTOR if we could change the default to economy.

Here is their response: "Unfortunately, there is not currently a method
by
which to set the print default for all of your users to be Economy.
However, users are able to set this preference themselves by using
the "Set Preferences" button at the top of most pages within the JSTOR
website, and then selecting the "Printing" link.  This will take them to

the following page:
http://www.jstor.org/preferences/SetPreferences?what=SetPrintingPreferen
ce

>From here, they can choose the printing option best suited for their
use,
and the preference should stay with the user until they clear the
cookies
from their browser."

Relying on user intervention and cookies isn't really workable. Our
experience has been that these preferences are wiped at the end of each
session. We have replaced some of our print drivers and when problems
arise, or during user training, are advising users to download an
economy
version before printing. We are also looking at including the JPRINT
print
helper download as part of the student IT build. But our preference
would
still be for JSTOR to alter the default to economy.

I would like to submit a development request to them along these lines
and
thought it might strengthen the case if others were experiencing the
same
problem.

Perhaps you have dealt with this in another way? Either way, please let
me
know.

Regards

Justine Mann
Assistant Librarian (Serials)
The Library, The London School of Economics and Political Science