On Wed 11 Jul 2018 at 16:34:48 +0000, Curt wrote: > On 2018-07-11, Brian <a...@cityscape.co.uk> wrote: > > > > The interest being expressed is one in printing a PDF directly to a > > printer, so CUPS isn't (or needn't be) be involved. No conversion to > > or from PostScript (which is no longer being developed) is undertaken. > > Any delays would lie in transporting the file to the printer and what > > takes place on it. > > > > That exists, it seems (pdf interpreter in the firmware of the printer). > > https://okiprinting-en-gb.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/581/~/pdf-direct-printing > > Some of the higher-end (at least) HPs apparently have a feature called HP > Direct PDF, which > appears to be exactly what it says.
Different vendors use slightly terms to describe the existance of PDF interpreters on their machines. They also implement it in slightly different ways but I haven't quite worked out whether they all ultimately use the Adobe PDF Print Engine (APPE) in some way. Over the past ten years PDF interpreters have moved out of the high-end market into the mass consumer market. The HP LaserJet Pro M402dn at less than 200 Euro, for example. The importance for Debian is that the day when there are no longer any proprietary printer languages exclusive for a printer is upon us. Couple that with IPP Everywhere printers and we are free. Fixating on printer drivers (already deprecated in CUPS) will be a thing of the past. -- Brian.
