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Date:      Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:12:02 +1000
From:      Da Rock <freebsd-questions@herveybayaustralia.com.au>
To:        freebsd-questions@freebsd.org
Subject:   Re: MFC 7840W under CUPS
Message-ID:  <4F37D6C2.30303@herveybayaustralia.com.au>
In-Reply-To: <20120212100038.412369e7@scorpio>
References:  <fc3bb6c7b4bf770606b95d2514e8863a@mail.a4a.de> <20120211231729.d4ad2f8d.freebsd@edvax.de> <20120212083327.0a3b5c52@scorpio> <4F37CBC2.7060609@herveybayaustralia.com.au> <20120212100038.412369e7@scorpio>

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On 02/13/12 01:00, Jerry wrote:
> On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:25:06 +1000
> Da Rock articulated:
>
>> The biggest problem comes with using many interpreters of a single
>> language. Thankfully pcl works on the majority of printers (network),
>> and is practically a standard in the enterprise world, so you're
>> still not marooned with a paper weight :) Unless you're a printshop
>> and/or into graphic arts pcl will be more than sufficient for use. If
>> you are working in graphic arts then I doubt you'd be using a brother
>> or something that doesn't use pure ps anyway.
> You might want to check out:
> <http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/openprinting>.
> It appears that "ps" is no-longer the format of choice but is being
> replaced by PDF, a format that is natively supported by many printers.
> In addition, there is an active project creating a wrapper framework for
> the manufacturer's Windows/Mac OS X drivers, like the ndiswrapper for
> WLAN cards, which is something I suggested a long time ago.
>
That line between ps and pdf became blurred a long time ago. The 
essentially have the same root.

As for MacOSX drivers I'd find that interesting given its similarities 
and shared root with FreeBSD, and the origin of cups (at least the 
biggest backer).

I don't know the value of creating a wrapper for Windows drivers given 
they use PCL mostly anyway. Main advantage I'd suppose is in GDI drivers...

As a printer specialist I stay well away from printers that don't 
support a standard anyway - I'll usually expect PCL at least. They're 
not worth the hassle, and they may be cheap but you get what you pay for 
in the end. If I was to buy a printer I buy to suit the need and maybe 
allow for expansion; so if I needed a high quality graphics printer it 
would generally support all OS' anyway, desktop I would do the same. 
Don't try to cut cost or you can end up cutting something else as well - 
the manufacturers will always get their pound of flesh one way or 
another: cheap printer = expensive parts/ink/toner, and more. And if 
thats not true, then they're too cheap and simply not worth it- 
frustration central (on _any_ OS that is!).



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