IDEA: App that keeps track of things that have been printed

[mentallo]

Sometimes I find myself wanting to know what I printed yesterday. I think an app that keeps track of the things you print would be great. Like a clipboard but for the printer.

[40hz]

Take a look at the freebie PaperCut Print Logger. I think that may do what you need.

PaperCut™ Print Logger is a free print logging application for Windows systems designed to provide real-time activity logs detailing all printer use. Information tracked includes:

•    the time of print,
•    the name of the user who printed,
•    the total number of pages,
•    document names and titles,
•    other print job attributes such as paper size, color mode and more.

Print audit logs are available in a viewer friendly HTML format, or in CSV or Excel format for advanced users needing the data for further analysis.
Highlights...

   

•    100% free!
•    Easy to use HTML interface.
•    Now available in English, French, German, Japanese, Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified), Italian and Spanish.
•    Monitor printing on all major printer makes and models.
•    Real-time print logs ensure data is always current and live.
•    Printer usage logs are available in Microsoft Excel format allowing for detailed print analysis and charting.
•    Compatible with both desktop and server versions of Microsoft Windows print queues.
•    Unobtrusive - no need to modify the printing process or configure printers differently.

[mentallo]

Thnaks for the suggestion but this program only shows when and what (file name) and from where (site or MSOffice...) was printed. I actually would want something that shows exactly what was printed. I dont know if this is even possible but I would find it pretty useful.

[tomos]

I havent used it in a few years, but IIRC, if you print through a programme like FinePrint* it will/can save everything printed. Can be reprinted etc.

* a virtual -is that the right word?- printer. There were other similar, but cheaper, apps recommended here within the last couple of years, so if something like that is what you want, you could do a search here.

[40hz]

* a virtual -is that the right word?- printer.

Yes it is!

Wow! FinePrint. That's a "Blast from the Past." We used to use that in a place I worked for back when 1200dpi laser and color (especially dye-sublimation) output was expensive. We used to use it to track output costs and for client billing.

Glad to see these guys are still around. FinePrint was a very capable product.

[Stoic Joker]

You could always check Keep Printed Documents (Advanced tab of Printer Properties) ... Then they'd stay in the spool with a status of printed. Obviously this is a for a single person solution...as it won't scale worth a damn.

For an office printer, anything along those (too specific) lines the term 'Privacy Concerns' comes to mind.