Ahhh, but there are some Honda parts only Honda can make (depending upon patents, trade secrets, etc.) One example might be the engine management computers. You can't plug in someone elses computer and expect it to work; yet, they're functionally equivalent, No?
There may not be functional differences between Lexmark ink and HP ink; but, you can guarantee that there are chemical differences. You can also guarantee that the chemistry is a closely guarded secret!
I'm not arguing that what Lexmark does is consumer friendly --- it's clearly not. However, it isn't illegal . Using the DMCA is a means to an ends -- they've put in a digital signature, which they've copyrighted. If another company tries to use the same digital signature, then, they're in violation of the copyright unless they have explicit permission from Lexmark.
You know, I have to stress that this is hardly monopolistic because Lexmark is not the only company that makes printers or ink. If they want to hurt themselves by forcing their customers to buy ink only from them, at an outrageous price, let 'em. Eventually people will catch on and thier business will suffer for it.
Yes, it is. The guidance system and propulsion were fixed; however, with American help -- seems they couldn't get it to work right and Boeing et. al. were only too happy to help...
I bought a z23. I paid $20 (and that's why I bought the printer). It came only with a black "starter" cartridge which contained less than 1/4 the ink of a full cartridge. I ended up buying the $65 worth of cartridges anyway (that same day).
Yes, they're disposable -- their life expectancy is on the order of a year (of modest use) and they're not repairable.
disassemble the thing and put the print head in some alcohol to soak for a couple of days. Then re-assemble the printer with full ink cartridges, prime it and try printing a test page. This has worked for me once or twice in the past. It's also failed about as often...
Just a thought before you toss the thing into the trash.
Actually, one derivation of the Lexmark chip won't allow the cartridge to work once it's reported it's empty. Refilling it doesn't reset the counter on the cartridge -- it still reports it's empty...
It's not a monopoly because there are other vendors producing ink and printers. Yes, you will only be able to use Lexmark ink with Lexmark printers -- caveat emptor. Somehow in my mind I make the comparison to cars: Honda parts work in Hondas but not in a Chevy (without modification to the Chevy). If you want a part to fix your Honda, some of them you can only get from Honda. It's not a direct analogy; but, it's close enough.
This is typically true; and, it's one of the reasons companies like HP, Canon, and Lexmark build the print head into the cartridge. With the Epson, as long as you use it regularly, it's usually not a problem. I have had a similar problem with a Canon: There's a sponge and a gasket the are supposed to cap off the print head when parked. They were worn and didn't form a good seal; so, a cartridge would only last a week or two before drying out.
Yeah, but they were all micro or pico satellites... The two largest were only 145 and 113 lbs respectively, with the majority of them being less than 10 lbs.
What's more interesting is that this may lead to "affordable" launches, where any group could conceivably build a small satellite and get it launched.
I'm not familiar with the 2400 MHz technology (not using any); so, before I replied, I whipped out my Physics degree and actually read a couple of papers on the subject (university, IEEE, manufacturers)...
So, first, once again this week, I've managed to plant foot firmly into mouth... 10 years ago, when I was in college, the above is what I was told; don't you hate it when your profs. are wrong and it makes look ignorant.
Anyway, I can not believe that they actually do this! I would (as an engineer) put a notch filter in and specifically exclude this frequency (there's lots of room in the 2400 MHz spectrum); but, No they've actually used it! I can't believe they're trying to rely on a spread spectrum algorithm to skip around and find holes in the noise spectrum directly around 2450 MHz; and use the time between output pulses from the Magnetrons to transmit data. It must have seemed like an elegant solution; but, unfortunately for the consumer, the algorithm isn't robust enough to actually work well.
Careful... There's a stripe in the cash that the government can use to track you!
BTW, the government's had cameras and microphones in your house for years. Every car is equipped with a special government version of lojack so they know where you are at all times. All photocopiers keep records by storing the images of each sheet copied. Every wristwatch sold includes a bug and a tracking device. Cell phones allow them to know exactly where you are and they record all of your conversations...
Any my university is all Solaris / linux with some Macs thrown in for good measure (the Math department likes Maple and has been using it since long before Maplesoft supported linux...)
It all depends on where the powers that be place their priorities I suppose...
Slashdot Mirror
There may not be functional differences between Lexmark ink and HP ink; but, you can guarantee that there are chemical differences. You can also guarantee that the chemistry is a closely guarded secret!
I'm not arguing that what Lexmark does is consumer friendly --- it's clearly not. However, it isn't illegal . Using the DMCA is a means to an ends -- they've put in a digital signature, which they've copyrighted. If another company tries to use the same digital signature, then, they're in violation of the copyright unless they have explicit permission from Lexmark.
You know, I have to stress that this is hardly monopolistic because Lexmark is not the only company that makes printers or ink. If they want to hurt themselves by forcing their customers to buy ink only from them, at an outrageous price, let 'em. Eventually people will catch on and thier business will suffer for it.
I can hear the flames already
Yes, it is. The guidance system and propulsion were fixed; however, with American help -- seems they couldn't get it to work right and Boeing et. al. were only too happy to help...
I bought a z23. I paid $20 (and that's why I bought the printer). It came only with a black "starter" cartridge which contained less than 1/4 the ink of a full cartridge. I ended up buying the $65 worth of cartridges anyway (that same day).
Yes, they're disposable -- their life expectancy is on the order of a year (of modest use) and they're not repairable.
You've just described the typical business lease of a decent (high quality / high capacity) printer.
Hard copy... Eewwwww.
disassemble the thing and put the print head in some alcohol to soak for a couple of days. Then re-assemble the printer with full ink cartridges, prime it and try printing a test page. This has worked for me once or twice in the past. It's also failed about as often...
Just a thought before you toss the thing into the trash.
Actually, one derivation of the Lexmark chip won't allow the cartridge to work once it's reported it's empty. Refilling it doesn't reset the counter on the cartridge -- it still reports it's empty...
Because that's what the consumer wants. They've got their fancy digital camera and they want a hardcopy.
Test pages... Demo Pages
Are supposed to demonstrate the printers capabilities; so, of course they print an image.
Photo Software... Presentation Software... Publishing Software
Why did you bother buying a color printer?
Composite black
Now That one I Hate too....
This is typically true; and, it's one of the reasons companies like HP, Canon, and Lexmark build the print head into the cartridge. With the Epson, as long as you use it regularly, it's usually not a problem.
I have had a similar problem with a Canon: There's a sponge and a gasket the are supposed to cap off the print head when parked. They were worn and didn't form a good seal; so, a cartridge would only last a week or two before drying out.
Both HP and Lexmark cartridges are so expensive, in part, because the print head and some of it's intelligence is built into the cartridge.
Actually they're using modern technology recently provided by Boeing et. al.
What's more interesting is that this may lead to "affordable" launches, where any group could conceivably build a small satellite and get it launched.
By God, I must be old. I remember machines with no color, no crt, only a teletype terminal and ALL CAPS...
So, first, once again this week, I've managed to plant foot firmly into mouth... 10 years ago, when I was in college, the above is what I was told; don't you hate it when your profs. are wrong and it makes look ignorant.
Anyway, I can not believe that they actually do this! I would (as an engineer) put a notch filter in and specifically exclude this frequency (there's lots of room in the 2400 MHz spectrum); but, No they've actually used it! I can't believe they're trying to rely on a spread spectrum algorithm to skip around and find holes in the noise spectrum directly around 2450 MHz; and use the time between output pulses from the Magnetrons to transmit data. It must have seemed like an elegant solution; but, unfortunately for the consumer, the algorithm isn't robust enough to actually work well.
Rant Complete
This frequency was fixed long ago by the FCC specifically for this use. Not much else transmits at 2450MHz for obvious reasons...
At least it's not running on Windows
But they've officially re-branded it "Windows Mobile"...
BTW, the government's had cameras and microphones in your house for years. Every car is equipped with a special government version of lojack so they know where you are at all times. All photocopiers keep records by storing the images of each sheet copied. Every wristwatch sold includes a bug and a tracking device. Cell phones allow them to know exactly where you are and they record all of your conversations...
Have I made my point yet???
Well, Ok.... Foot stuffed firmly in mouth with keyboard propped at odd angle to allow typing...
It all depends on where the powers that be place their priorities I suppose...
They're having trouble getting it deployed because RIAA and MPAA are objecting to the use of decss on some digital video systems...
maybe not "news" but it's good publicity -- always a good thing...
Yes. Because if Disney has to work in Linux, then they might learn something...
I don't care if it's copyrighted. I'll pay for decent music or movies... I just want to be able to legally view it once I've bought it.