Re: Propose opensource standard for a PDL (printer driver)

Phillip Hallam-Baker <phill@hallambaker.com> Mon, 29 March 2021 22:01 UTC

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From: Phillip Hallam-Baker <phill@hallambaker.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2021 18:01:16 -0400
Message-ID: <CAMm+LwgvNFadDcuQ7ZK+7roG2u42mpiPPkZYRvsOEeSjo6PCRQ@mail.gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Propose opensource standard for a PDL (printer driver)
To: Sid <sid@bsdmail.com>
Cc: IETF Discussion Mailing List <ietf@ietf.org>
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This sounds like a possibly useful piece of work but not really in IETF
remit. W3C has the SVG experience, compression experience, etc.

As a practical matter, this use case seems to be adequately served by
proprietary standards that have become so widely used as to be ubiquitous.

What is missing from Portable Document Format (PDF), standardized as ISO
32000?

The big irritation I have with printer drivers is that they live in the
wrong damn place. Printer drivers should not require system privileges to
install. The application running on my local machine should be able to
discover the available printers, select one and negotiate an interchange
format with the printers.

Some of that is in IETF space (via Bonjour). But there doesn't seem to be
interest in the platform provider and printer provider world to make it
completely seamless yet.

On Sun, Mar 28, 2021 at 10:59 PM Sid <sid@bsdmail.com> wrote:

> The topic for an opensource PDL (Page Description Language) standard for
> printing that uses XML for vector graphics, raster compatibilities, and
> vector text that is backward compatible with ASCII. Raster or text outputs
> can simply pass through directly to a printer that can read those formats.
> If the resolution of a vector is higher than the printer can print, the
> printer instruction is scaled down to that resolution.
>
> Allows extensions for high resolution graphics depending on a printer's
> needs. Extensions could be to allow opensource implementations for existing
> PDL's, if licenses permit. Make it so existing printers can have basic text
> and perhaps simple vector capabilities through a generic driver. It not
> being dependent on an existing PDL, including through PPD's for Postscript
> conversions, except ASCII.
>
> This opensource standard or its extensions can be used in conjunction with
> Postscript's PPD's, or PDL's by manufacturers for a printer's specific
> needs.
>
> Uses its own XML style sheet format for border spacing, headers and
> footers. The page sizes, and desired edging space needs to be known by
> printers. The printer or output program can resize the text to fit within
> page boundaries. This can simplify the use of filters to prevent
> stair-stepping.
>
> Uses IPP and perhaps allow passthrough to LPD.
>
> Thank you
>
>

Propose opensource standard for a PDL (printer dr… Sid
Re: Propose opensource standard for a PDL (printe… Phillip Hallam-Baker
RE: Propose opensource standard for a PDL (printe… Larry Masinter
Re: Propose opensource standard for a PDL (printe… Sid