Post by Andrew GabrielPost by Jethro_ukGot a new laptop, and have gone to (re)install the HP software for my
wireless scanner printer.
The full package is 225Mb !!!!! wtf is that needed for ????
IME, the HP drivers are stuffed full of pop-up adware for the ink
cartridges.
We have a photosmart c6180 in the family, and the way I found to
install that without all the crap is to start the full install
as far as unpacking the archive, and then if you search the
unpacked files, you will find a bog standard windows printer
driver directory buried in all the crap, and you point windows
at just that to install, and abandon the HP setup install.
The printer hardware seems to be very good (i'm told it's one
of the last HP's which was), but it's completely let down by
terible quality software drivers. We bought one with a sheet
feeder to allow scanning of documents, but the software for that
never worked - after a few pages, it's leaked all the system's
memory away and craps out. The drivers have never been updated
to fix any bugs.
I had a C6180 too with duplexer attachment. Linux drove it very well
using the HPIO drivers, including scanning with and without the sheet
feeder.
It was replaced due to old age with a Samsung laser with scan to email
which solves the scanning issues. Again, printing via CUPS is reliable,
though direct printing from Android using the Samsung app is as flakey
as fuck.
It is fascinating to remember how Windows used to be unstable but mostly
worked whilst linux was a PITA. How times changed. I can think of very
little on linux that is not now a crappier/harder/more expensive
experience with MS Windows.
You could say MS are not at fault as it's pretty common for most 3rd
party "drivers" to be bloated bits of crap, but MS could have solved it
by having "Certified for Windows" mean "basic easy minimalistic setup
out of the box, optional crap is optional".