[cups.development] [RFE] STR #3935: Dropserial andparallelbackends

Michael Sweet msweet at apple.com
Tue Nov 15 13:54:44 PST 2011


Roland,

Since you obviously did not read my entire original response, let me make this clear:

1. All of the backends and filters that have been removed from CUPS 1.6 are now part of a separate "CUPS Extras" package that will be used by Linux distros to support, among other things, parallel and serial printing on Linux.

2. This package will be maintained by the Linux Foundation's OpenPrinting project.

3. NO FUNCTIONALITY IS BEING LOST.  It is just coming from a separate package.

Why are we (Apple) doing this?  First, because we don't make computers (nor do most other companies) with parallel or serial ports.  Second, because we don't have the resources (hardware) to test the software, there is no way for us to do a good job of maintaining these backends.

Similarly, many filters are moving to the "CUPS Extras" package because we don't use them on Mac OS X and have no satisfactory way to test, maintain, or extend/enhance them. The Linux distros have wanted more control over these pieces, and so now they will have it.

So, please don't rant about us "not caring" or being incompetent.  In fact it is quite the opposite and we are making sure that these components will live on as long as there is someone to maintain them.



On Nov 15, 2011, at 10:46 AM, roland wrote:

>> Sorry but no.
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> Oh, so rather than admit the decision was based on complete incompetence, you will force all distros to lock cups to a previous version.
> 
> That's intelligent.
> 
> And people wonder why OpenSource gets dissed for its quality.
> 
> 
>> 
>> On Nov 13, 2011, at 8:33 AM, roland <roland at logikalsolutions.com> wrote:
>> 
>>>> On Nov 10, 2011, at 7:31 AM, roland wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE.  INSTEAD, POST ANY RESPONSES TO THE LINK BELOW.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> [STR Closed w/Resolution]
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Fixed in Subversion repository.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Link: http://www.cups.org/str.php?L3935
>>>>>> Version: 1.6-feature
>>>>>> Fix Version: 1.6-current (r9925)
>>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> If there actually was a method of posting something at the link, I would respond there.
>>>> 
>>>> There is, you just need to log in.
>>>> 
>>>>> DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES DROP SUPPORT FOR SERIAL AND PARALLEL PRINTERS.
>>>> 
>>>> It has already happened.
>>> 
>>> Then back it out!
>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> Whoever came up with that idea has no concept of reality.
>>>> 
>>>> It has been many years since any personal computer was sold with a parallel port, and most consumer PCs haven't had a serial port in a long time, too.
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> Whoever made that statement was talking so far out their rectal sphincter that if they stood in California when they said it, the only people who could have possibly heard lived in China.
>>> 
>>> I took 10 minutes and went to the Microcenter Web site.  This isn't the biggest computer chain store in the U.S., but it is large.  ALL OF THESE ARE FOR SALE TODAY!
>>> 
>>> searial port computers
>>> 
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0373106
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0373108
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0371737
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0378290
>>> 
>>> parallel and serial
>>> 
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0360509
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0366803
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0378821
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0376500
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0378825
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0378822
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0378826
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0367044
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0378828
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0358703
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0376497
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0378163
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0378823
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0360494
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0378827
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0358698
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364885
>>> 
>>> motherboards with serial and parallel
>>> 
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0375352
>>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0365090
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I didn't go to Tiger Direct because the list would have been exponentially longer.
>>> 
>>> Backout this ill thought out change.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> cups-dev mailing list
>>> cups-dev at easysw.com
>>> http://lists.easysw.com/mailman/listinfo/cups-dev
>> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> cups-dev mailing list
> cups-dev at easysw.com
> http://lists.easysw.com/mailman/listinfo/cups-dev

__________________________________________________
Michael Sweet, Senior Printing System Engineer, PWG Chair





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