C++ Windows & Linux PDF Printer Driver with Digital Signing
Budget: $250 – $750 USD
**Overview**
We are looking for an experienced C++ developer (or team) to create a PDF printer driver for both Windows and Ubuntu (Linux) environments. This driver will generate PDF files from any printable application and incorporate digital signing using X.509 certificates (via PKCS#11). A custom GUI (design provided by us) must be integrated into the driver for configuration and user interactions.
**Key Requirements**
1. **Cross-Platform Development**
- Must be compatible with Windows (10+), windows Server 2016+ and Ubuntu (20.04+).
- The solution should provide a seamless printing-to-PDF experience in both operating systems.
2. **PDF Generation**
- Utilize open-source PDF libraries to generate PDFs.
- Ensure the output PDF meets common standards for reliability and compatibility.
3. **Digital Signing & Security**
- Must integrate PKCS#11 libraries for digital signing.
- Use X.509 certificates to sign PDF documents. (either in Windows Store or individual store)
- The signing must occur at specific regions/placeholders in the PDF, as defined through the GUI.
- Implement security/licensing features (details and guidelines will be provided).
4. **GUI Integration**
- We will provide a custom GUI design (mockups and assets).
- Developer should integrate this GUI seamlessly into the driver configuration/settings.
- GUI should allow users to:
- Select signing certificate/token.
- Specify signature positions.
- Configure output options (folder path, URL, email, etc.).
5. **PDF Output Handling**
- After PDF generation, the driver should support:
- Saving to a specified directory (configurable via GUI).
- Sending via email (SMTP or standard mail client invocation).
- Posting to a specified URL/endpoint (REST API or similar).
6. **Licensing/Activation Module**
- Implement security licensing (license key, activation checks, etc.) as specified in our requirements.
- The driver should refuse to function or degrade in a controlled manner if the license is invalid or expired.
7. **Documentation & Support**
- Comprehensive documentation, including build instructions, deployment steps, and user guides.
- Clear and maintainable source code with comments.
- Post-launch support for bug fixes and minor enhancements (to be negotiated).
**Required Skills & Experience**
- Proficient in C++ with demonstrated experience in low-level system programming.
- Past experience in developing or customizing printer drivers on Windows and/or Linux.
- Strong knowledge of PKCS#11 standards and X.509 certificates.
- Experience with PDF generation/manipulation using open-source libraries.
- Familiarity with GUI development and integration on both Windows and Linux.
- Understanding of basic security principles and licensing mechanisms.
**Deliverables**
1. **Source Code & Build Files**
- Entire source code repository with clear structure and documentation.
2. **Compiled Installer Packages**
- Windows installer (MSI/EXE).
- Ubuntu DEB package (or instructions for building from source).
3. **Technical & User Documentation**
- Explanation of architecture, how to install, how to update.
- Steps for configuring digital certificates, signing workflows, and advanced settings.
4. **Post-deployment Support**
- A defined support window to address critical bugs or issues post-deployment.
**Project Timeline & Milestones**
- **Phase 1**: Requirements Analysis & Architecture .
- **Phase 2**: Core Printer Driver & Basic PDF Generation.
- **Phase 3**: Integration of Digital Signing (PKCS#11) & GUI
- **Phase 4**: Testing, Bug-Fixing & Licensing Integration.
- **Phase 5**: Final Release & Documentation.
**How to Bid**
- Provide a brief overview of your experience with relevant projects.
- Outline the proposed technical approach.
- Links to any previous work or code samples are highly appreciated.
We are looking for an experienced C++ developer (or team) to create a PDF printer driver for both Windows and Ubuntu (Linux) environments. This driver will generate PDF files from any printable application and incorporate digital signing using X.509 certificates (via PKCS#11). A custom GUI (design provided by us) must be integrated into the driver for configuration and user interactions.
**Key Requirements**
1. **Cross-Platform Development**
- Must be compatible with Windows (10+), windows Server 2016+ and Ubuntu (20.04+).
- The solution should provide a seamless printing-to-PDF experience in both operating systems.
2. **PDF Generation**
- Utilize open-source PDF libraries to generate PDFs.
- Ensure the output PDF meets common standards for reliability and compatibility.
3. **Digital Signing & Security**
- Must integrate PKCS#11 libraries for digital signing.
- Use X.509 certificates to sign PDF documents. (either in Windows Store or individual store)
- The signing must occur at specific regions/placeholders in the PDF, as defined through the GUI.
- Implement security/licensing features (details and guidelines will be provided).
4. **GUI Integration**
- We will provide a custom GUI design (mockups and assets).
- Developer should integrate this GUI seamlessly into the driver configuration/settings.
- GUI should allow users to:
- Select signing certificate/token.
- Specify signature positions.
- Configure output options (folder path, URL, email, etc.).
5. **PDF Output Handling**
- After PDF generation, the driver should support:
- Saving to a specified directory (configurable via GUI).
- Sending via email (SMTP or standard mail client invocation).
- Posting to a specified URL/endpoint (REST API or similar).
6. **Licensing/Activation Module**
- Implement security licensing (license key, activation checks, etc.) as specified in our requirements.
- The driver should refuse to function or degrade in a controlled manner if the license is invalid or expired.
7. **Documentation & Support**
- Comprehensive documentation, including build instructions, deployment steps, and user guides.
- Clear and maintainable source code with comments.
- Post-launch support for bug fixes and minor enhancements (to be negotiated).
**Required Skills & Experience**
- Proficient in C++ with demonstrated experience in low-level system programming.
- Past experience in developing or customizing printer drivers on Windows and/or Linux.
- Strong knowledge of PKCS#11 standards and X.509 certificates.
- Experience with PDF generation/manipulation using open-source libraries.
- Familiarity with GUI development and integration on both Windows and Linux.
- Understanding of basic security principles and licensing mechanisms.
**Deliverables**
1. **Source Code & Build Files**
- Entire source code repository with clear structure and documentation.
2. **Compiled Installer Packages**
- Windows installer (MSI/EXE).
- Ubuntu DEB package (or instructions for building from source).
3. **Technical & User Documentation**
- Explanation of architecture, how to install, how to update.
- Steps for configuring digital certificates, signing workflows, and advanced settings.
4. **Post-deployment Support**
- A defined support window to address critical bugs or issues post-deployment.
**Project Timeline & Milestones**
- **Phase 1**: Requirements Analysis & Architecture .
- **Phase 2**: Core Printer Driver & Basic PDF Generation.
- **Phase 3**: Integration of Digital Signing (PKCS#11) & GUI
- **Phase 4**: Testing, Bug-Fixing & Licensing Integration.
- **Phase 5**: Final Release & Documentation.
**How to Bid**
- Provide a brief overview of your experience with relevant projects.
- Outline the proposed technical approach.
- Links to any previous work or code samples are highly appreciated.