With Push for OS X Focus, CUPS Printing May Suffer On Other Platforms

CUPS is the popular open-source printing system that many projects have used successfully as a core, for desktop printing and as the basis of dedicated print servers. Reader donadony writes with word that Apple "has chosen to abandon certain Linux exclusive features, [while] continuing with popular Mac OS X features. The changeover is being attempted by Apple to set new printing standards that will not require 'drivers' in the future." However, as this message from Tim Waugh at Red Hat points out, all is not lost: "Where they are of use for the Linux environment, those orphaned features will continue to be maintained at OpenPrinting as a separate project."

Comments

Re:OK, whatever.

[BitZtream]

Meh. Maybe I'm just cynical, but I'd think "moving forward" would involve building a new product, not just hacking out chunks of one that's shared with one's competitors and spinning them off.

Slashdot and GPL zealots rant and rave all the time about how awesome it is to use OSS because you can 'fork it' ... funny how any time the situation arises where forking would get you right back to the state you desire ... no one wants to do it.

What you'd rather do is bitch about someone else not doing exactly what you want them to do, and giving it to you at no cost while you have nothing to do with any of their products.

You're not bitching because Apple is doing something wrong. You're bitching because they aren't continuing to give you a free ride which benefits them in absolutely no way what so ever. Its not even like they get any good will out of it from the OSS community, douche bags like yourself bitch no matter how much they contribute back. This is why you're group of zealots will always be ignored. You do nothing but bitch about free shit given to you out of good will.

You're not cynical, you're just a selfish asshole.

Re:OK, whatever.

[BasilBrush]

Wouldn't it be amusing if the reason for Apple removing Linux support from CUPS is because of all the bitching OSS supporters do about Apple.

I mean, I'm sure it's not that, and it's a purely a business move.

But the idea of the OSS whiners getting their just deserts of their ingratitude is amusing. It's karma.

Apple was always ahead of its time...

[TheSkepticalOptimist]

I think Apple purposely make printing on OS X so inferior and problematic because they were anticipating a future where people no longer use printers. Goal achieved.

Seriously, the only way I got printing to work on OS X was to share a printer connected to a Windows box. Of course new printers with Air Print capabilities for iOS devices are nice as they bypass Mac and OS X entirely because even Apple thought printing on OS X was hopeless.

You fanboy's can all go on about how "advanced" OS X was, but if your printer does not appear in the list of "Apple approved" devices then forget about ever printing to it.

Re:OK, whatever.

[GameboyRMH]

Fuck Apple and the horse they rode in on. To trade every OSS contribution they've ever made for their non-existence would be the deal of a lifetime and I'd take it in a heartbeat.