OMG #printers – Just do what you were able to do in 1998. I haven't needed any other functionality than what was provided then.
I'm not trying to do anything fancy. Just fricking print the four lines of text on a standard envelope like you have a hundred times before.
< insert #OfficeSpace scene.mpg >
https://m.slashdot.org/story/440055
And this is why I will never never never ever buy an HP printer again. Scumbags 
#HP #printers
"HP, along with other printer brands, is infamous for issuing firmware updates that brick already-purchased printers that have tried to use third-party ink. In a new form of frustration, HP is now being accused of issuing a firmware update that broke customers’ laser printers—even though the devices are loaded with HP-brand toner.
The firmware update in question is version 20250209, which HP issued on March 4 for its LaserJet MFP M232-M237 models. Per HP, the update includes “security updates,” a “regulatory requirement update,” “general improvements and bug fixes,” and fixes for IPP Everywhere. Looking back to older updates’ fixes and changes, which the new update includes, doesn’t reveal anything out of the ordinary. The older updates mention things like “fixed print quality to ensure borders are not cropped for certain document types,” and “improved firmware update and cartridge rejection experiences.” But there’s no mention of changes to how the printers use or read toner.
However, users have been reporting sudden problems using HP-brand toner in their M232–M237 series printers since their devices updated to 20250209. Users on HP’s support forum say they see Error Code 11 and the hardware’s toner light flashing when trying to print. Some said they’ve cleaned the contacts and reinstalled their toner but still can't print."
Community, DIY, open hardware and software has been part of the commodity #3Dprinting world for over 20 years (#RepRap et al.). Open projects, with parts you can source yourself or via kits (e.g. #Voron).
What if—what IF!
We did the same for plain old #2Dprinting..? I’d build a 2D laser printer from a kit.
(To be fair, I found a few resources and it seems like a daunting talk: lots of moving parts, optics, etc. 3D printers almost feel simpler, they’re just robots that push out hot plastic.)
“Firmware update bricks HP printers”
(and toner/ink DRM, etc.)
Oh look! It's Monday.
ArsTechnica: HP printers stop working with HP toner due to update
On the Brother printer "heel turn" report:
To be real, they have been anti consumer for years now so this is nothing new.
From 2022:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31860131
cc @pluralistic
I like this advice:
"if you're worried about security updates, or it getting messed up as a result of it, don't put the thing on the fucking internet
your printer doesn't need to be on the internet
you can put it on your local network and you can block it from ever connecting to the internet so you don't have to worry about security issues ..."
HP Inc. to build future products atop grave of flopped #Humane 'AI pin'
Tech and people behind #IoT brooch that reviewers instantly hated will one day pep up printers
Tuan Tran, President of Technology and Innovation at #HP, said the acquisition “will help us create an intelligent ecosystem across all HP devices from #AI PCs to smart #printers and connected conference rooms. This will unlock new levels of functionality for our customers and deliver on the promises of AI."
https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/19/hp_acquires_humane/
that funky musty smell finally explains itself. that’s seriously one badass CPU - an intel i960.
that’s an 8-meg simm in one of the slots. about $400-500 CAD in 1995.
on the right you can see the empty slot that accepts a 3.5” IDE HDD
this machine had about as much raw power as my IBM PS/1 486 of the same year
two summers ago i rescued an hp laserjet 4V from an acreage barn.
the 4V is the hulking, supermax cousin of the 4M which many of you probably used in schools and offices decades ago
this printer handles up to 30.5cm / 12-inch wide paper, which - for the first time in my life - i need to use in order to print out a cribbage board carpentry template for my mom.
this is the first time the printer has been turned on in 20+ years. the "warming up" smell is reminiscent of high school macintosh labs and principal's offices.
today i finally learned where that office space joke came from.
@Br3nda
@osiris
@jwcph
@bananabob
In this bit by fine Irish comedian Jarlath Regan —about working in a home office — he REALLY puts the boot in to printers. Without even getting to their blatantly bucksucking, corrupt business model ...
Want to print one page
Printer spits out a piece of paper, pulls it back in and prints my page on the backside of it
You can't make this shit up - what the fuck are #printers
Ok people what small office printer should I get? Need color for this one. #printers
There are a bunch of small inexpensive #printers on the market that print photos on thermal paper. When I first saw these a few years ago I wanted one, but thermal paper is coated with bisphenol A (endocrine disruptor). Also thermal paper isn't archival and the image will deteriorate quickly.
But there are now MORE of these on the market - they seem a lot more popular. Did they fix these issues? Or is it just an "eh who cares, just have fun" situation? (I still want one, lol)
Does anyone know if the
Brother HL-L2400DW A4
or
Brother HL-L2445DW A4
printer works out of the box with linux (Debian)?
(I would rather not install drivers from outside the Debian repo).
