Re: hplip and use of the "driver plugin"
On Wed 23 Nov 2016 at 12:59:05 +0100, tomas@tuxteam.de wrote:
> On Thu, Nov 24, 2016 at 12:21:21AM +1300, Richard Hector wrote:
> > On 21/11/16 08:52, Brian wrote:
> > > Considering HP say they do not offer Linux support directly, you are
> > > doing well.
> >
> > Comments like this (those from HP and other vendors, not this one from
> > Brian) bug me.
> >
> > I don't want HP to support Linux; I want printers to use open, published
> > (by them or anyone else) protocols that _any_ OS provider can choose to
> > support. Not that there's anything wrong with them providing hplip or
> > whatever _as_well_.
>
> Very much this. Put in other terms: *I don't want HP to actively sabotage
> free software/open systems*
>
> Phew. Had to be said.
Both sentiments are noble but the reality is that many LaserJet MFPs
need a plugin for printing. If they don't they will probably require
one for scanning. HP sell printers, not Linux printers, and at least
provide the plugin software. I think if I was intending to purchase
fifty such printers for my company for use with my Debian systems the
source code for a plugin being available might be a bonus, but its
lack would not be a blocker.
If there was worry about the affect of the offending libraries on the
rest of the system wouldn't sandboxing (about which I know nothing)
be a possible solution?
--
Brian.
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