Backgrounder

Backgrounder is a file in the System Folder to handle Background Printing in System 4.2 to 6.Mac System History by Andy Mesa, MacKiDo. 2002-11-09
==Description==
Before the existence of Background Printing, the simple function of printing would monopolize a Macintosh, rendering it unable to conduct most other tasks until the print job was finished. Backgrounder was developed by Apple Computer to enable Background Printing under the cooperative multitasking of classic Mac OS. When a print job was started with MultiFinder enabled, Backgrounder would launch PrintMonitor to begin "spooling" the print file to the printer in the "background", while another application in the "foreground" application could continue to be accessed by the user.
With the release of System 7, the functionality of Backgrounder was merged into the Finder. An updater was provided for users of System 6.0.7 or later, which included the print drivers from System 7 along with an updated Backgrounder to ensure AppleTalk compatibility with networked printers being accessed simultaneously by users of both operating systems.
==References==
*Performing the Group Upgrade, Macintosh System 7.5 Group Upgrade Handbook p.49. Apple Computer, Inc. 1994.
==External links==
*Technical Note TN1097: Desktop Printing Revealed at Apple Developer Connection (1998-08-10, mirrored)
*Desktop Printing Revealed by Dave Polaschek at MacTech (1997)
Category:Printing
Category:System Folder
Category:1987 introductions