Printer Hell with Suse

[michaelrobertsaz]

After all the improvements and progress they've made, why can't they make it possible to use a printer.

I bought a new Canon MP620 and made it a network printer. On Ubuntu, I told it to look for a new printer,and it found it, installed the driver and it was ready to go in less than a minute.
With Suse, I've lost 8 hours trying to figure it out and still can't even find the print on the network, let alone address it.

Is it so hard for Suse and so easy for Ubuntu. You'd think they'd talk with Ubuntu for a hint. I've just about had it. With ubuntu, all videos play, no problem. With Suse you're stuck with Kaffine and it plays nothing.

In most other ways I like Suse, but those two problems are enough to format the Suse drive and give the space back a distro that works.

Sheesh!

[smpoole7]

Originally Posted by michaelrobertsaz

After all the improvements and progress they've made, why can't they make it possible to use a printer.

I bought a new Canon MP620 and made it a network printer. On Ubuntu, I told it to look for a new printer,and it found it, installed the driver and it was ready to go in less than a minute.
With Suse, I've lost 8 hours trying to figure it out and still can't even find the print on the network, let alone address it.

The way that things will get fixed is for people like you to report on the problem. Precisely what errors are you getting? You say that you can't "find the printer on the network;" I assume that you're in Yast, under Hardware -> Printers?

I haven't had trouble getting a network printer to work under OpenSuse since 10.3. Post a few more details and someone will help you.

[deano_ferrari]

Plug in your printer, and launch your favorite browser. Enter this URL to bring up the CUPS http interface:

http://localhost:631/

Select Adnministration > Find New Printers

Hopefully, you will see your printer listed. From this OpenPrinting Canon MP620 page, it looks like the MP610 driver will work with your printer. Fololw the prompts until your printer is configured.

See how that goes.

[TaraIkeda]

Well to be fair Ubuntu does come with some proprietary stuff bundled, some stuff that wont make it into opensuse.
You may want to wait for opensuse 11.2 anyhow, it might be a little better.
Plus cannon is horrible with linux

[deano_ferrari]

I bought a new Canon MP620 and made it a network printer.

Sorry, I missed this. So, is this printer connected via ethernet to router? Or via a machine connected to your network?

[Chrysantine]

1 post? Soapbox?

Nothing but vague things like "does not work", "spent X hours" and didn't even mention what tools he tried to use to make it work, didn't ask for any help in IRC or the forums here?

Right.

[oldcpu]

First, let me say WELCOME to our forum and welcome to openSUSE. Note we are volunteers who provide support to openSUSE and we are NOT associated with its packaging. Still many of us are openSUSE fans. I know I for one am a fan of openSUSE.

Originally Posted by michaelrobertsaz

After all the improvements and progress they've made, why can't they make it possible to use a printer.

I bought a new Canon MP620 and made it a network printer. On Ubuntu, I told it to look for a new printer,and it found it, installed the driver and it was ready to go in less than a minute.

Glad to read it worked on Ubuntu.

When I did a search on the open printing web site for the canon MP620: OpenPrinting database - Printer Listings
it was not listed. Which suggests support under Linux will be poor.

After a few minutes of surfing I found this:
OpenPrinting database - Printer: Canon PIXMA MP620

It states:

This printer entry is not yet included in the Foomatic packages and the data on this page is not verified or proofread.

But you note it does work under Ubuntu. How can that be? How can that page not be updated? The various Linux distributions contribute to those pages. .... What does that tell me?

That suggests to me that the Ubuntu software engineers came up with a fix for it (good on 'em) but then were slow in sending the fix upstream so other distributions could benefit. Maybe they have sent the fix to debian, and debian do not like the fix. What ever the reason, Ubnutu's fix has not progressed, and THAT is the reason why I will not use Ubuntu. As the most popular distribution they are also making inadequate effort to ensure their fixes go upsteam. A good thing about both Red Hat/Fedora and openSUSE is they do make a better effort there in sharing to all distributions.

Originally Posted by michaelrobertsaz

With Suse, I've lost 8 hours trying to figure it out and still can't even find the print on the network, let alone address it.

8 hours? If it were me, I would stop after 30minutes and ask for help. I may have a fix (see below) to put you on the right path, and by asking for help sooner, you will keep your frustration levels down and be able to do things with your family.

Although given the policy of Ubuntu (about being VERY SLOW in sharing) it might be difficult to get help and sort this printing.

I personally stay away from Canon Printers (although I love their cameras/camcorders). The Linux wide support for their printers is pathetic in comparison to HP. And when the largest distribution does manage to get the printer working, they refuse to share it.

Originally Posted by michaelrobertsaz

With ubuntu, all videos play, no problem. With Suse you're stuck with Kaffine and it plays nothing.

Thats a subject different than printers. This is more user familiarity. I have friends who have been using Ubuntu for 4 years, and I can play way more multimedia on openSUSE than they can on Ubuntu. They are smart people. Why is this? Its because I am MUCH MORE familiar with openSUSE than they are with Ubuntu.

If you want help, post on your multimedia problems, and one of us will surely try and help you.

The printer, ... I don't know. If Ubuntu will not share what they do, then the only recourse I see as a Linux fan, is to boycott the Ubuntu distribution for my own use. Printers are cheap. In my case I would rather purchase a more supported HP printer, than support Ubuntu.

.... as an aside, ... you could check to see what it is Ubuntu are doing, and then share the information ... I noted this Ubuntu page where the user needed cups-bnjp for this printer to work in Ubuntu: Luca Gibelli » Canon PIXMA MP620 Linux printing and scanning via wireless network on Ubuntu

Searching on web pin (a search engine) I found cups-bnjp (where BJNP is a network protocol CUPS backend for Canon printers):
Webpin search for BJNP

I suppose you could try installing that. ... I'm still shaking my head at what I perceive as possibly another case of Ubuntu not passing their fixes upstream.

[oldcpu]

Originally Posted by oldcpu

.... as an aside, ... you could check to see what it is Ubuntu are doing, and then share the information ... I noted this Ubuntu page where the user needed cups-bnjp for this printer to work in Ubuntu: Luca Gibelli » Canon PIXMA MP620 Linux printing and scanning via wireless network on Ubuntu

Searching on web pin (a search engine) I found cups-bnjp (where BJNP is a network protocol CUPS backend for Canon printers):
Webpin search for BJNP

OK, I confess I may have been a bit harsh on Ubuntu. The implementation speed of their upstream fixes (which equates to molasses in January in Quebec Canada) is a pet peeve of mine.

Did you consult with this openSUSE page on your printer:
Canon PIXMA MP Guide - openSUSE
... that guide uses "alien" to convert a debian package in order to get the printer working. Very much not user friendly.

I'm in the market for a multifunction network printer, but thats enough to scare me away from Canon. I think I will go with an HP Premium Multifunction C309a (but I'm waiting a month to see if the C309g will get Linux support - currently it has no hplip support).

[smpoole7]

Oldcpu,

If you think Canon is bad, try a Lexmark sometime.

[Knurpht]

Originally Posted by smpoole7

Oldcpu,

If you think Canon is bad, try a Lexmark sometime.

You've never had to work with a Canon copier and it's drivers. Lexmark is heaven compared to that. 8 Hours? Over a year, and every time we think we've got it fixed with latest drivers, new problems arise. If I followed my instincts, Hubble would see a lot of those Canon's orbitting earth, or preferrably Pluto.