On 11/19/2016 09:30 AM, Henrique de Moraes Holschuh wrote:
On Fri, 18 Nov 2016, Jape Person wrote:What about hplip? Doesn't inclusion of the hp-setup program in hplip sort of violate the spirit of having only FOSS in the main repository when executingNo, it doesn't violate the spirit. HPLIP is FLOSS, including the hp-setup program itself. The binary blob is minor funcionality as far as HPLIP usage is concerned (although it isn't minor functionality for the unfortunate onwers of the subset of HP devices that require the binary blob to work). Now, if HPLIP was composed only of the hp-setup program, *and* hp-setup was only good for downloading/interfacing to the binary blob in the first place (as far as I recall, it does more than that), it would be "contrib" material (instead of Debian main material). That is not true, however. So, HPLIP belongs in Debian main. A package in main cannot build packages for contrib or non-free (and vice-versa), and it doesn't make sense to duplicate the entire HPLIP *source* package just to have a neutered-by-patching hp-setup utility in main, and a complete one in contrib.
I understand. I may have misunderstood the function of hp-setup. I thought it's sole purpose was to install the blob. If it does other machinations like taking care of installation / environment settings to make an MFP (like the old OfficeJet 6302 I tested last night) work, then that would explain why I saw no license agreement.
This seems to be a step backward in HP's technical support for open source software. I'm disappointed.HP's printer division is nowadays very different from the one you might know from a decade ago. You might want to inform yourself better about their recent attempts at ink cartridge lockdown, for example.
Ugh! I'm not sure I want to find out! Maybe I don't need a printer. Heh.
Basically, if an HP printer is not a high-end model that has a software-driver-less network port that can take PDF/1A directly using the IPP protocol natively, I wouldn't recommend it. If it does, I'd still recommend that you get yourself informed about its operational costs (ink/toner, replacement fusers and periodic maintenance kit) first -- but that is valid for any printer vendor.
I will look into this possibility. I may be mistaken, but I think that most such printers are "Enterprise" printer, are very expensive, and are FCC Class a emitters. I presume it's not kosher for me to use such a monster in my condominium. But if I can find one that doesn't wreak radio interference havoc or break my budget, that would be a very nice alternative. I'd probably be dead before the thing needs a toner cartridge replacement! I've got an hp lj1300 that's still on its second toner cartridge. Hmmm. For my "new" printer, maybe I should just find a way to put that old LaserJet directly on the network.
So, does anyone know of a laser MFP (or a separate laser printer and scanner) which I can hook up to my network (preferably wirelessly) and use in Debian testing without violating my planned avoidance of proprietary software and drivers?I'd like to know that, too. I need a new home color printer, my 10-year-old HP PhotoSmart (blobless) MFP has finally broken down and good second-hand parts are not easy to find in Brazil :-(
I will certainly respond to this list if I learn anything about blobless printing and scanning. I am hoping that HP technical support (I actually talked with someone who specializes in supporting Gnu/Linux.) will come up with something. He had me send him a list of the distros and applications I plan to use to see if he can hook me up with a set of simpler drivers for these devices. He even mentioned the pxljr drivers (produced by a third party) for the 3200 series Color LaserJets which support all features.
Thank you, Henrique!