A method for dynamically managing printers comprises a mechanism for
printing from a network of printers that belong to a virtual printer
group to meet the user's request for printing. The invention does this by
requesting an options and capabilities file from each printer and then
generating a virtual printer group, such that when a user wants to print
a file, the invention looks for the best suited printer for the user and
sends a file to that printer for printing. The invention has the
capability to keep track of each printer's printing capabilities
dynamically and to communicate to the user about the status of printing
and printer location, and of informing a system administrator for manual
intervention should the need arise.