Most of the time at Phoronix we focus on looking at the Linux
graphics performance of the software drivers and hardware, since
traditionally that has been one of the most troubling areas of Linux
hardware support. Tides though have turned as AMD continues to back
their own open-source strategy with providing documentation and pushing
out code that enables open-source hardware support from 3D acceleration
to power management, while Intel continues to back their fully
open-source model too. Another area of hardware support that has caused
much grief for users has been with printer support. Printers are not
nearly as complex as a modern-day graphics processor, but the different
vendors have not been quick to offer up any Linux support -- and
binary-only drivers frequently back the ones that do. There is one
printer manufacturer though that as of last year has begun supporting
Linux from top to bottom with their entire line-up of printers. Not only
are they providing CUPS drivers, but also they are even printing Tux in
the corner of every box they ship right besides the Windows and Apple
logos. Do you know who we are talking about? Probably not, but it's
Lexmark. After months of wrangling within the company, Lexmark has
stepped up to become a Linux and open-source friendly company. We are
seeing how far this Linux support extends as we try out the Lexmark
Pro905 Platinum multi-function printer.
Read more at Phoronix.
Lexmark's Linux Secret @ Phoronix
Posted on Saturday, April 03 2010 @ 8:26 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck