On Sat 19 Nov 2016 at 16:38:20 -0500, Jape Person wrote: > On 11/19/2016 03:09 PM, Brian wrote: > > > >Sorry to be awkward, but what does "it's" refer to? > > > > Uh, I'm the awkward one here. That's why I'm asking for help.
Not at all. I've learned a thing or two from this thread. For example, I hadn't appreciated the extent to which the laserjet multifunction devices were dependent on the plugin, whereas the MFP inkjets are not (for now). > >The plugin contains *.fw files and libraries. A firmware file is uploaded to > >the printer when it is switched on. Quite what the libraries do I do not > >know but my assumption is they are involved in this and the host-based > >management of the printer. Enlightenment would be appreciated. > > > > Let's not start with unreasonable expectations. The likelihood that I will > enlighten you in such a matter is vanishingly small. Others are reading this thread too. :) > I didn't find any information this specific about the driver plugin. If you > can steer me toward the relevant information I would appreciate it. I read > information at all the links that seemed as though they could be pertinent > from the hplipopensource.com location. The plugin can be downloaded from openprinting.org and its contents examined. Or install it with hp-plugin and look at /usr/share/hplip to see what you get. Delete the files by hand afterwards. Firmware appears to be only for a few specific printers and it is the faxing, scanning and printing libraries which are used for the majority (or perhaps all) of multifunctionals. Closed source; we cannot tell. > So, are you saying that nothing within that driver plugin gets invoked by or > interacts with the host system? It's just some firmware that gets copied to > the printer and some libraries which reside on the host and which interact > with the printer. If that's the case, then my concern about the driver > plugin is a tempest in a teapot. No, I am not saying that. I think hplip looks for and interacts with the libraries if they are needed for a particular device. Last time I set up a print queue (without having the printer) for a device which needed a plugin, CUPS relayed an error message from the hpcups driver. It is something I need to look into when I have the time. I'd stick with your original concern. > It still would seem to beg the question as to why the system would be > designed this way. But I'm not a printer hardware designer, and I don't know > what requirements are placed on those guys by the production and delivery > schedules. Maybe it's just a workaround to help HP get the most up-to-date > stuff out the door in the most timely manner possible. Dunno. It could be as simple as HP licensing software from elsewhere for printing and scanning and not having the rights to open source it. >From their point of view re-inventing the wheel doesn't make sense. For me, I'd take an HP laser multifunctional because I would want the copying facility. For you. you may have to widen your search to other vendors to get separate printing and scanning devices. It depends, also, on how pragmatic a user is. HP could be seen as a responsive, trustworthy and reliable company. The fact is that most printer manufacturers have some element of non-free software as part of their modern offerings at the inexpensive end of their product line. > At any rate, I can probably fulfill my requirements my buying a little more > hardware than I had originally intended. And I appreciate the efforts you > and Henrique have made on my behalf. > > If I should learn anything interesting from HP tech support I'll try to come > back with it. Considering HP say they do not offer Linux support directly, you are doing well. -- Brian.
