Re: Printers using free software only
On Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:17:58 +0300, Teemu Likonen wrote:
> Registros Web [2012-07-23 12:47:27 +0200] wrote:
>
>> Im about to buy a printer and want to make sure I get one that uses
>> 100% free software, no blobs or proprietary drivers, so I can get on
>> using it even if the manufacturer decides to cease support of the
>> printer.
>
> I suggest buying a PostScript printer with ethernet connection. They use
> simple PPD files (plain text files) which describe printer's features.
> The manufacturer should ship such file with the printer.
>
> Also, PostScript printers can be used with generic PostScript printer
> driver so you don't need to install any drivers.
>
> Ethernet connection allows you to plug the printer to your home
> NAT/router and use it from any computer behind the router. It also means
> web-based configuration.
Do you want free software inside the printer, in case you find you need
to reprogram the printer itself?
A fair number of printers that do postscript are actually ghostscript
printers. Technically, ghostscript is nonfree, but when I investigated a
while ago, each version of ghostscript remanins proprietary for about two
years, and is then released free.
But I don't know whether it is modified in proprietary ways to run inside
particular printers. It's possible there are proprietary device drivers
inside the printer to control the printer's own hardware.
-- hendrik
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