09/26/2007, 8:10pm, EDT
Wednesday, September 26th
Leopard builds test HP driver delivery
Apple is using the latest builds of Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) to test delivery of printer drivers through the Software Update mechanism, based on information provided to MacNN by an HP representative; Apple is asking developers to test the delivery of HP drivers through Software Update. If developers are using HP printers, Apple asks that they deselect the HP-specific printer drivers from the Mac OS X 10.5 Installer, instead opting to install the drivers by running Software Update after the installation of Leopard is complete. This despite the fact that both the drivers on the Leopard DVD and those available through Software Update are identical.
In the release notes for Leopard build 9A559, Apple instructed developers to use the Software Update routine, listing the guidance as an "issue." An HP representative told us:
"Although listed in Apple’s last developer Leopard Seed Note as an 'Issue', the recommendation to use Apple’s software update process to install the HP driver set for the Leopard developer seed is actually a test scenario, not a driver problem or bug issue.
"HP has a large market share with Apple customers and is very pleased that Apple has chosen HP drivers and software to test with the latest Leopard developer seed and software update process. Please note that the HP driver set in the latest Leopard seed and from the software update process is the exact same HP software code and driver bundle, no difference, and should work great with this latest Leopard seed. It should also be noted that if there are no existing HP printer queues or HP printers connected to the Mac via USB, then software updates will not download or add any HP printer drivers."
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Even when I deselect printer drivers and Language files during install they are always still loaded when the system cranks up after install_
Then I spend some time going thru and trashing Printer drivers for printers i don't have and some I'll never buy_
And I kill all of the language files as well)
This usually cleans up 600MBs to about 2GBs of free space_
Pain in the ass_
If you are printing to a windows print server, then get the drivers from the print server if they are available, else, get them from the net.
Of course the print server administrators would have to load the drivers onto the print server, but hey! That's their job. :|
Same goes for Mac print servers. Provide the drivers for Windows machines as well. I'm not sure Apple OS X servers can/have this functionality to begin with, but if not,..
Perhaps you fail to understand the meaning of "build." Apple is testing the OS before it is released to fix any problems.
Eriamjh:
Perhaps you didn't read what the HP representative said: if you already have the driver installed, it will not reinstall the driver. Apple is merely testing the delivery system.
uberfu:
Good points, I do the same.
sdf:
You are correct, HP is violating its NDA with Apple. However, in its defense, somebody else violated the agreement by talking about HP's drivers being tested. HP is just making sure people do not get the impression its drivers are faulted.
"It should also be noted that if there are no existing HP printer queues or HP printers connected to the Mac via USB, then software updates will not download or *add* any HP printer drivers."