Asynchronous channel for displaying user interface elements

A system is for use in printing data on a printer (13,13a). A client (11,110) interfaces with an applications program (112) that has a print capability. A print server (12) in communication with the client (11,110) controls a printing of data communicated to the print server (12) by the client (11,110). A user interface manager (130) communicates with the print server (12) by an asynchronous bi-directional communications channel (132) between the print server (12) and the client (11,110). The user interface manager (130) responds to a user interface message sent from the print server (12) to display information to a user in a flexible custom manner. One exemplary system includes a user display. The message sent to the client user interface manager (130) by the server (12) is a language neutral message that is interpreted by the user interface manager (130) and converted to another representation for presentation to the user on the user display. When used in a printing environment, i.e. where a client print spooler (114) and a server print server (12) do the printing, the language neutral message is converted at the client (11,110) by the user interface manager (130) into a message or display suitable for a user.