Unix lpr printers can be addressed directly by programs on Unix, Macs and PCs, but those programs are not part of the standard operating system, and are generally poorly integrated with the PC's and Mac's usual printing services. All the above have led to the use of many printing gateways. Some organizations also use GatorPrint on a GatorBox to provide a bi- directional lpr to AppleTalk printing gateway. Remote printing shares many of the same problems as remote file access. Help and Consulting Help and consulting takes different forms in different areas.
Most organizations provide walk-in and telephone consulting.
Electronic mail and NetNews groups are also used very widely to answer questions. Some organizations have staff dedicated to answering questions addressed to help email accounts and specific newsgroups. The use of newsgroups also facilitates peer support, wherein a question posed by one user is answered by another. This is particularly valuable for many questions students ask, as other students are often well versed in answers. Both newsgroups and electronic mail are somewhat vulnerable to abuse, as we currently have no robust authentication and privacy protection mechanisms for these communications channels.