Add hplip-gui to Kubunto ISO?

[Scott Kitterman]

On Monday, August 13, 2012 10:04:16 AM Steve Riley wrote:
> Combining answers into one reply...
> 
> On 2012-08-13 11:12:20 Harald Sitter wrote:
> > In my experience "nice to have" is a jolly bad reason for adding
> > things. As many things are nice to have, yet so few are useful to
> > have. That said, I fail to see the use. Yes hplip does more specific
> > HP stuff, but why does a regular user need a specific HP tool? As I
> > see it the "regular" work flow is.. plug in printer, print. Anything
> > other than that goes into the category of 'tech-savvy person wants to
> > do things other folks don't even know are possible'.
> 
> When it comes to printers (and their evil all-in-one spawn), even ordinary
> users expect to be able to take advantage of all the functionality they paid
> for. In Windows-land, the purchaser of one of the all-in-one gadgets will
> encounter the following experience:
> 
> 1. Plug the thing in
> 2. One of either:
>   a. Windows Update downloads the drivers and the full-feature control panel
> b. The user installs said driver/CP from a CD included with the gadget

Fortunately it Kubuntu it's generally even easier.  I have two of the so 
called evil all-in-one devices from HP on my local network.  If I click 
printer configuration in system setting and then add printer, from there, all I 
have to do is click to accept the recommendation given by the system (this is 
the KDE printer configuration manager, not the HP GUI) and they are auto 
detected on the network, their printer type identified and  an appropriate 
driver selected.  I've tried to get these exact printers working on Windows 
and OS X and it is FAR easier on Kubuntu with the non-manufacturer specific 
tools we already provide.

> My father would fall into the non-tech savvy category, but successfully got
> his all-in-one working completely in Windows without having to consult with
> me or any forum. He would not have had the same success in Kubuntu, because
> he would not know that he needs to go find this thing called hplip-gui.

But he doesn't need it.  All he needs to find is System Settings -> Printer 
Configuration.

> On 2012-08-13 10:07:43 Tres Finocchiaro wrote:
> > I read the article.  Next time please link the direct post you are talking
> > about<http://www.kubuntuforums.net/showthread.php?59734-What-does-Kubuntu-
> > re ally-need-to-take-over-the-desktop&p=306072&viewfull=1#post306072>, so
> > we're not all reading through pages of misc rant.
> 
> Interesting. I didn't realize that the shortened URL I provided would take
> you to the beginning of the thread if you don't have a logged-in cookie
> from the forum. I tested it on another browser that doesn't have the cookie
> and, indeed, only the long URL gets you directly to the post.
> 
> > I find this discussion particularly interesting.
> > 
> > Is "hplip" already part of the CD?  Is there any way to have it pop-up
> > when
> > printing?  I would agree with the OP and say the suggestion to include "
> > hplip-gui" is completely valid if there's no other way to get the dialog
> > to
> > pop up. I don't like the idea of a dedicated icon in the K-Menu just for
> > one manufacturer of printer though.  This could get messy fast.
> 
> Yes, hplip (no gui) is already included in the ISO.
> 
> > In Harald's defense, custom printing features are usually obtained
> > with custom software in the Windows world, so apt-get (or Software
> > Center, Muon, etc) should be anyone's first place to look.
> 
> I should have probably thought more about a fully-formed post rather than my
> quick question. We already have Jockey that helps people identify,
> download, and install manufacturer-specific drivers for wireless adapters,
> and drivers and control panels for graphics cards. Could we not extend this
> functionality -- not necessarily with Jockey -- to printers as well?
> Tarting up the ISO with every printer GUI is, on closer thought, not such a
> good idea. But in the theme of making Kubuntu more accessible to more
> people, and providing such people a pleasant experience, making it easier
> to discover printer/scanner/fax GUIs sounds reasonable, no?

I don't recall exactly which tool in the toolset does the actual download, but 
I think it's something like CUPS identifying a missing driver talks to Jockey, 
which fetches the PPD.  I don't have any printers that need this 
functionality, but I understand it's already there.

The situation is similar with scanning on the all-in-ones.  If I fire up 
skanlite it will auto detect the scanners on the network and the step me 
through the process of scanning, without the HP GUI.

The HP GUI does have some additional management features if people are 
interested in them, but in terms of standard functions for printers/scanners I 
think the tools we already ship fill the bill.

Scott K