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Re: InputSlot and MediaType

> From: Michael Sweet <email@hidden>
>
> Troy Bergstrand wrote:
>> Paul,
>>
>> Why is it that Apple no longer merges *MediaType PPD options with
>> *InputSlot and *ManualFeed options in the Paper Feed PDE (as of 10.x
>> and later)?
>>
>> It doesn't make sense to allow the user to select both an input tray
>> and a media type because the two selections might conflict.
>
> FWIW, non-PostScript printer drivers often need the InputSlot,
> MediaType, and PageSize/PageRegion options set in order to get the
> proper output; these drivers *could* use alternate names (e.g.
> cupsInputSlot and cupsMediaType, or some other prefix), however that
> would probably lead to the options appearing in the wrong place or
> not at all.
>
> If MediaType and InputSlot are conflicting, there should be the
> corresponding UIConstraint attributes in the PPD file to specify
> those conflicts, e.g.:
>
> *UIConstraints: *InputSlot *MediaType
> *UIConstraints: *MediaType *InputSlot
>

I'm sorry. I made a statement without providing an explanation and it led
you to somewhat irrelevant conclusion.

My concern is not that a particular MediaType conflicts with an InputSlot in
the sense that the media type is not supported by the tray. As you say, that
condition is managed using constraints.

My point is that for (HP) PostScript devices, the selection of a media type
leads to the selection of an input slot. (An administrator can assign the
media type to the tray.) If the user also specifies an input slot (via the
Paper Feed PDE), then the two selections might conflict. Since the input
slot selection is more explicit, it is used. This might potentially confuse
the user.

Media type has a different relevance for raster devices in that different
color profiles might be used for different media types. The is not the case
for, at least, HP PostScript devices where color variances based on media
type are handled within firmware.

Allowing the user to select a tray by specifying "Transparencies" or
"Letterhead" is a very useful function. It certainly can be done using a
control apart from InputSlot (and ManualFeed) but it can lead to confusion.

I believe that Apple's Paper Feed PDE is intended to work only with
PostScript devices. Thus, *MediaType should be treated using the PostScript
and not the raster model, that is, as a means of selecting an input tray, as
was the case in the Classic LaserWriter driver.

If others have a different opinion or different data points, I'd like to
hear them.

Troy
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References: 
 >Re: InputSlot and MediaType (From: Michael Sweet <email@hidden>)



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