[gentoo-amd64] Re: Printer Setup

["Duncan" <1i5t5.duncan@cox.net>]

Barry.SCHWARTZ@chemoelectric.org posted
20061014223423.GA9603@crud.crud.mn.org, excerpted below, on  Sat, 14 Oct
2006 17:34:23 -0500:

> Wouldn't the main criterion for lasers (including color) be the
> PostScript support? I'm using a monochrome Kyocera which I set to
> accept only PostScript--so it is Windows that needs the special
> driver. Kyocera is very cheap to operate.
> 
> Actually, now that I think of it, you want to make sure there is a PPD
> file available for the printer, preferably downloadable before you
> decide to buy. But that's all you need to tell programs like cups how
> to change printer settings.

Yes on the PS support and the PPD file.  What I intend to do b4 I buy is
spend some time on that Linux printing site (IDR the URL but it's
mentioned in the Gentoo printing guide).  IIRC they suggest buying thru
them as a way of payback for keeping the site up, and after making a
short-list, I'll compare them with the usual brick&mortar stores with
the going prices on pricewatch.com, and if that site isn't more than
~10-15% higher than pricewatch (which usually gives a pretty good idea of
bottom price, tho there are occasionally other internet sites slightly
lower with coupons/rebates/whatever), and buy at the Linux printing site
if it's not more than ~10-15% higher.  Normally, I do that with the local
brick&mortar stores (Fry's Electronics or whatever), saving the shipping
hassle if I can find a reasonable price locally, but I might as well throw
the $$ Linux-printing way and say thanks for the great resource they
provide, if the price is reasonable.

The Brother they have at work is a laser 4-way printer-scanner-copier-fax,
tho they run SCO Open Server (yeah I know but they've been running it
since the 386 era, and at least if it's SCO they have a decent chance of
going Linux rather than MSWormOS when they /do/ switch).  The 4-way is
nice, tho they don't use the scanner at all, only the printer/copier/fax
functions.  If Open Server has drivers, there's a good chance Linux is
well supported as well, and it's be nice to be able to have the fax and
copier without going thru the computer.  It's monochrome, but can't be too
unreasonably priced or work wouldn't have one.  The toner cartridges cost
about $70, if I'm not mistaken, but last about five of the old printer's
$30 inkjet cartridges worth or better, so that's still reasonable.

-- 
Duncan - List replies preferred.   No HTML msgs.
"Every nonfree program has a lord, a master --
and if you use the program, he is your master."  Richard Stallman

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