HP Web Printsmart 1.0 software turns Internet into personal publishing tool

Hewlett-Packard Company today introduced new software that allows people with Internet access to print customised newspapers, reports and other information found on the Web. HP Web PrintSmart 1.0 software can scan Web sites, search for keywords, and automatically format and print the results. All documents can be printed complete with table of contents, page numbering and customised font styling. Web PrintSmart software also offers an automated print-scheduling option, which allows users to generate and print reports while they are away from their computers. For example, customised newspapers, complete with the latest headline news, market reports, industry news and sports scores, can be created overnight so that they are available at the start of each day. The software also offers keyword searches that work like a clipping service. For instance, a businessperson wanting the latest news on a particular company could set Web PrintSmart software to visit Internet news sites periodically and print desired information. Web PrintSmart can be set to search online classified ads for specific items of interest, and a preview feature allows the user to decide which pages to print. "Web PrintSmart will dramatically increase productivity and save time by providing a much needed link between the Internet and the printer," said Steve Midgley, HP marketing manager, printers and peripherals. "While there is a tremendous amount of information on the Internet, people struggle to convert that information into a usable form. Products such as Web PrintSmart are part HP`s initiative to help people harness the vast resources of the Web." HP Leading Internet Printing HP has been working with industry partners to improve Web printing and has solved the following problems with Web PrintSmart 1.0: Problem - Accessing information from the Web is a time-consuming task involving logging on to the network; activating the browser; searching for information; selecting pages for printing, one page at a time; and, finally, printing. Solution - Web PrintSmart automatically searches and schedules the unattended printing of desired information. Problem - Information printed from the Web is often marred by awkward page breaks or table breaks. Solution - Web PrintSmart software automatically formats Web content to help avoid splitting tables and adds headers if splits are necessary. Problem - Today`s browsers offer limited ability to customise printed pages. Web users typically print pages as formatted on the screen. Solution - Web PrintSmart allows users to add a table of contents, page numbering and an index of links. Users also may select font styles and type size. A style template can be used to ensure that printed information always looks the same. Problem - Many Web browsers do not allow users to view pages before printing. Solution - Web PrintSmart provides print-preview capabilities. Web PrintSmart software furthers HP`s Digital Workplace strategy: to enable the simple, seamless flow of information between paper and digital forms, from person to person, from device to device. Now users can easily print many of the documents once printed only on speciality printers such as those used by magazine and newspaper publishers. By bringing these applications to the desktop, HP helps users get the information they want, the way they want it. Web PrintSmart 1.0 works with all HP LaserJet and DeskJet printers and is available free for download from the HP Web site at www.hp.com/go/webprintsmart.