I for one hoped but never imagined it would actually happen!
RISC OS Ltd [4] have released some code into the
open source community!
The open sorce code in question is the front end to !Printers+ and secondly, although not open source still welcome, Pop-up Printers (developed for the Iyonix).
!Printers+ has been made available on the classic
open source development website
SourceForge [5] specifically at the
roprinters project page [6].
Pop-Up printers [7] takes !Printers to version 1.6 and whilst not to everyones taste, is certainly a welcome release as it can help a great deal with
USB [8] printers as it features Pop-up configuration. Included are drivers for a number of USB printers including Canon BJ S520, S450, S330, i550, S530D, Epson EPL58000 and HPDJ850C.
According to the RISCOS Ltd
press release [9], they 'are not releasing the [!Printers+] sources to the "back end" Printer Dumper modules
at present', though they will quite happily co-operate with developers, so long as they are Select Scheme subscribers and sign appropriate agreements to get the technical low down.
So overall what does this mean for the
RISC OS [10] community?
Are we going to see collaboration similar to
Sun [11] /
OpenOffice.org [12] occurring?
Are we to see an injection of a new lease of life into one area of RISC OS that has become quite embarrassing over the last few years? (As printer technology has moved on and RISC OS has lagged somewhat behind).
In the fullness of time it will become evident whether this has any impact on the market. In the meanwhile if you are capable, why not have a look at the project and have a gander at the source!
What do you think?
