Battle Programmer YuuAug 4, 2023

HP are such scammers

I posted about this very cheap printer before, which strongly suggests that there is No USB, only Wifi. When I first got it I figured out how to print over the network without using the app they try to bully you into downloading.

It turns out it's even easier to print, just use the USB port they try to pretend isn't there!

No company is going to rewrite their firmware to remove the USB stack. It's even more expensive to redesign the hardware to get rid of the USB port physically. They opted for the cheapest option, a little sticker.

They are just trying to store everyone's documents in their stupid cloud service that some teenage extortion group is going to break into and leak one day. Don't give them your data.

Show threadBattle Programmer Yuu

For everyone wondering why I bought a cheap HP, I got it when I lived in a pretty rural area and needed to print and sign a document out by the morning. I got it at Walmart and it was one of the only printers there, and the cheapest by a non-trivial amount.

It can be hard to find printing services for many people, and if you do it can be outrageously expensive. These ultra cheap printers are sometimes the best option for people.

Anyone who buys or has one should also know that they don't have to make some HP account, download an app, or give them any info if they just need to print out a couple pages.

Aug 4, 2023 at 9:42pmWeb
Show threadBattle Programmer YuuAug 4, 2023

This is how it's done folks:

https://haunted.computer/@makdaam@chaos.social/110833495778262987

Leszek (@[email protected])

@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] What happens when you return the printer as faulty after the 20 pages every time and ask for a replacement not a refund?

chaos.social
Show threadSimonoidAug 5, 2023
@netspooky oh that's sneaky shit 😩
Show threadStuAug 5, 2023
@netspooky i appreciate the spirit but what likely happens is that the retailer throws the returned printer in the garbage. i personally wouldn't want to be responsible for that amount of waste
Show threadCharlie StrossAug 5, 2023
@netspooky That link is borked.
Show threadGraham Sutherland / PolynomialAug 5, 2023

@cstross @netspooky works for me?

try https://chaos.social/@makdaam/110833487882054224

Leszek (@[email protected])

@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] What happens when you return the printer as faulty after the 20 pages every time and ask for a replacement not a refund?

chaos.social
Show thread★ Amy Star ★Aug 22, 2023

@netspooky just saw you come up on my YouTube feed

https://youtube.com/shorts/t-UNP6c-pAc

HP USB Port

YouTube
Show threadxeroAug 5, 2023
@netspooky ive definitely gone to a public library just to print a document before. but you said uber rual so maybe not an option
Show threadTiago HackbarthAug 5, 2023

@netspooky people, that is why shady business practices have to be curtailed by the state and not by some invisible hand of the market.

If you live in a well developed area you can count with competition as a consumer advantage, but the vast majority of people live where there's not much choice of goods and services.