RSSXerox releases a 'universal print driver' for printers besides its own
By Michael Hatamoto | Published June 10, 2008, 6:18 PM
The ability to plug a laptop into a network and quickly print documents on any available printer has historically been difficult, if not impossible. Now, a new Xerox software tool designed for office workers could change that equation.
Each time a new user connects to a network, Xerox' new Mobile Express Driver (X-MED) software searches and identifies new printers on the network subnet. X-MED also shows device status and capabilities of each printer -- for instance, double-sided printing. The user makes a single choice from a list of all available printers, and simply clicks Print. A "favorites list" allows users to create custom printer lists for each network.
In a typical work environment, an employee wanting to print to multiple printers needs drivers for printers from different manufacturers. That can quickly gum up a laptop, especially when drivers have system tray tools that must run continuously. Also, each printer manufacturer typically has different interfaces users must learn. X-MED is an attempt to replace all that mess with a single driver.
Xerox claims X-MED can be used for both Xerox and non-Xerox printers, with similar print drivers not offering the same luxury. It does not list specific manufacturers, however.
Not having to rely on each manufacturer to update its printer drivers also means IT managers can switch out printers without employees being forced to waste time updating drivers for each printer.
According to the documentation, this driver uses industry accepted PCL and PS commands to print. If the printer is compliant with PS or PCL it should have no problems printing to the device.
Xerox has been on the cutting edge for a long time. Heck, they're the reason we have mice sitting next to our PC's. It's no surprise that they'd come out with something this innovative.
In as far as drivers go, that's every manufacturer. You've got to remember they are dictated to by Microsoft - not the other way around. If you want WHQL certified, Microsoft dictates the terms.
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They don't have a XP driver for their P1202 printer. They never released one. The one available from microsoft does not print 600 dpi. It would be great to have a driver for their own printer instead of everything else !
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funny, i threw there expensive piece of crap into the dumpster when they failed/refused to provide an updated printer driver.
it was one of those deals that if you wanted a xerox printer compatiable with sp2, you would have to buy it instead of them providing a driver.
epson pulled the same crap ten years ago.
i will "never-ever" buy anything from xerox or epson again.
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Xerox is synonymous with proprietary printers for enterprises, so this should be interesting.
If it supports more than text, I'll be surprised.
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An open universal driver that could potentially accommodate all printers and all permutations of printer options....what a concept...
Hell, what was I thinking??? This is the real world, right?
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interesting. worth a look... Feedback to follow on download page.
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We just leased three xerox color copiers and they are the buggiest copiers we've ever had. One jams constantly in the ADF, they all need their power management turned off or they freeze up.
Not quite sure how a xerox can tell whether a printer has duplex installed, or other features, those aren't typically enabled in many enterprise environments.
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The only universal printer standard I know of is ASCII. Maybe this is a standard their putting forth for possible industry adoption..?
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In the last 10 years not much has changed in printers, sure the hardware has gotten smaller, faster and they have become more network aware but the drivers are pretty much the same. The companies have had time to figure the technology out and reverse engineer each others cool features.
This is no surprise but a natural progression of things.
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Mmm... it will be interesting to see how Xerox is dealing with proprietary flags like the ones to set two-side printing, etc... there is no standard for this, and each manufacturer have their own.
It may work for mobile users, however I don't see this being really useful on the enterprise as users would probably get reduced functionality on non-Xerox printers. Just imagine how complex will this get for a Helpdesk to deal with ambiguity, and the confusion on the end-users.
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