2) The technology exists, as demonstrated by Microsoft, to easily
configure a printer.
It's because MICROS~1 are part of the system that builds the
concepts for the printers, and the printers itself. Because
of their monopoly positzion, they can say: "If you build a
printer, make drivers for our 'Windows', and it will sell
well. If you make drivers for FreeBSD, which doesn't exist,
then it won't sell."
indeed. actually if printers would simply support standards like PCL or
postscript and standard USB protocol it would not be need for ANY drivers
both for windoze and FreeBSD.
The problem is that most buyers are more happy when they get "added value"
"for free" like tons of CD's
Manufacturers do what market required, no matter how dumb it is. Those who
didn't already failed.
But again it wouldn't be that hard to make printer conforming to standard
AND produce (click-generate) few gigs of add on software for windows.
As windows user may get scared hearing the word "unix", even in context
like "supports both windows and unix", they could sell the same printer as
2 products - printer for windows (bundled with this few gigs of addons)
and printer for unix, bundled with 1 page instruction with an example how
to make ghostscript filter and how to configure lpd.
included) doesn't make the situation better. I prefer the
system that FreeBSD uses: You install ONE (!) printer
actually i never used things like cups, turboprint, whatever.
i just run lpr to print postscript file, or print directly from programs
through lpr
system that supports all (standard compliant) printers,
and you don't have to do any more work. On a system with
There are lot of compliant second-hand printers for <100$.
For example i have HP LaserJet 4, which printed 85000 pages when i bought
it, and i printed over 15000.
And it works flawlessy, so i don't have new printer every year.
Having to perform Herculean tasks, load extra
software; i.e. cups for instance, etc is not productive.
CUPS isn't extra software in my opinions. Printer drivers are.
exactly. it's not needed for printing.
In unix many many years ago printing subsystem was already written.
it's called lpd, and it has support for filters that can be considered
"drivers".
4) My time is valuable. I don't feel like wasting it trying to get a
printer to work correctly when it is easier to do on a Win32 box. It
is not time well spent.
assuming someone has windows box handy. one more computer just to print
doesn't make much sense :)
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