Open firmware for printers, privacy?

[John]

On 2011-10-23, jago pearce <jago25_98 at hotmail.com> wrote:

> I'm sorry if this might be slightly offtopic. Tell me what you think.
>
>  I stumbled on this today:
> https://www.eff.org/pages/list-printers-which-do-or-do-not-display-tracking-dots
>
>  Apparently, printers embed things like yellow dots so that the source where something was printed can be traced. I think it has it's rooted in stopped counterfeit money but I bet it's made more difference in things like examining contracts and things in corporate lawsuits.
>
>  Well this is interesting!
>
>  However, I was thinking of printing off some fliers for the Occupy people last week and I kind of think, can they tell it's my printer??
>
>  I think the answer is probably that it only identifies the make and model. But still, it makes one think. Is there a way to print something anonymously anymore?

I'm not sure what other information may be included in the dot-code, 
but if you're paranoid about your "occupy" posters, just bring a pdf 
of the poster to e.g. Kinko's and use their printers. And pay cash.

-- 

-John (john at os2.dhs.org)