Lee DunaMar 14

HP's ink-blocking firmware may violate new global sustainability rules

https://lemmy.nz/post/35385581

HP's ink-blocking firmware may violate new global sustainability rules - Lemmy NZ

>HP’s long-running use of firmware updates that block third-party ink and toner cartridges is drawing scrutiny again – this time under a new global sustainability standard that explicitly forbids the practice. > >The International Imaging Technology Council (Int’l ITC), a trade group for cartridge remanufacturers, says HP’s latest printer firmware rollout conflicts with the requirements of the General Electronics Council’s (GEC) updated Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT 2.0.

Show thread🌞 Alexander Daychilde 🌞Mar 14

I did tech support for HP DeskJet printers in 1996 - the 600, 600C, and 660C. I had a DeskJet around that time, but that was the last one I got because they started screwing around with the drivers.

Back in the 80s/90s, HP made some great printers. Had a LaserJet 4 that lasted a long long time.

But not long after I moved on to another job - I never bought HP again. And that’s now been a recommendation for literally 30 years.

Do not buy HP!

Also, unless you print a LOT of pictures, don’t buy inkjets. The ink has so many issues. Get a laserjer. Brother is a good simple brand. I have had a Brother color laser since 2018 and it’s still chugging along perfectly. I’m on around my second set of cartridges because I don’t print a lot. But whenever I do print, it’s there and ready to go.

There’s a couple of other brands that are alright, too.

But do not buy HP. Jesus, people, it’s been a full generation of people since this has been true! Nobody should be buying HP inkjet crap!

Show threadboonhetMar 15

Funnily enough I’ve owned 2 inkjets spanning two decades, both very infrequently used and… I never had issues. The last one was an HP even. Though after like a decade, the ink dried up I think. Before that I could just take it out of its hiding spot after a year and it’d still work.

Never planning to buy another one though. If I REALLY need to, I’ll get a black and white laser one.

Show threadbrbposting

Didn’t expect this in my search results

Inkjet printers are prone to clogging when they aren’t used regularly. The print heads have microscopic nozzles that can dry out and block, leading to poor print quality, streaks, or missing colors. To keep them clear, it’s essential to run a small amount of ink through them periodically.

InkjetStandby solves this problem with a simple, yearly solution. Each week, we provide a printable page with a tiny, multi-colour test pattern. The pattern is placed in a different position each week on a 52-grid layout, allowing you to use a single sheet of paper for an entire year. Just print the page, and you’re done.

(emphasis mine)

Was looking for a weekly cron script as an example of the ink drying issue being prevalent, but this is neat

InkjetStandby - Prevent Printer Clogs & Save Ink

A free, simple tool to prevent inkjet printer clogs. Print a tiny, weekly test pattern on a single sheet of paper for a whole year.

Mar 16 at 4:55amWeb
Show threadboonhetMar 16
I know it’s prevalent. I’m just surprised it never happened to me. Neither printer was a particularly high end model either.