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diff --git a/README.ghostscript b/README.ghostscript new file mode 100644 index 0000000..622dcfa --- /dev/null +++ b/README.ghostscript @@ -0,0 +1,91 @@ + +The m2300w Driver and Ghostscript +================================= + +The m2300w driver requires that Ghostscript is installed on the system +(as /usr/bin/gs), and the correct operation of the driver heavily +depends on the correct functioning of Ghostscript. + +Basically, the m2300w driver is supposed to work with different versions +of Ghostscript: + + * GNU Ghostscript 7.xx <http://www.ghostscript.com/doc/gnu/index.htm> + * ESP Ghostscript 7.xx <http://www.cups.org/ghostscript.php> + * AFPL Ghostscript 8.xx <http://www.ghostscript.com/doc/AFPL/index.htm> + * and likely also with several other ones + +However, the color matching of the m2300w driver is based on CIE-based +color rendering and PostScript level 3 color management features, which +seem to work best with AFPL Ghostscript 8.xx. For printing of images, gs +8.xx also gives better color rendering, with e.g. less banding artifacts +in color gradients. + +We've also encountered a few PostScript documents, which did not print +correctly in conjunction with our driver framwork and gs 7.xx (due to an +apparent bug in gs 7.xx), but which did work fine with gs 8.xx. But you +shouldn't overestimate the latter problem, since every Ghostscript +version is buggy, and gs 8.xx may have different bugs. We'll also +attempt to find a workaround for this problem. + +Current Linux distributions usually include either GNU Ghostscript 7.xx +or ESP Ghostscript 7.xx. The apparent reason why they do not include gs +8.xx yet, seems to be that AFPL Ghostscript 8.xx is not distributed +under the terms of the GNU GPL, but under the terms of the AFPL license +<http://www.ghostscript.com/doc/cvs/Public.htm>, which does not fit with +the business models of Linux vendors. The AFPL license basically grants +free usage, but limits redistribution. + +AFPL Ghostscript 8.xx is available from http://www.ghostscript.com. The +drawback is, you need to compile it from the sources. If you are an +experienced Linux guru, this won't be a problem for you. But if you are +a Linux newbie and/or don't feel able to compile and install AFPL +Ghostscript 8.xx yourself without help, then rather live with the +ghostscript version that comes with your Linux distribution and DON'T +consider upgrading ghostscript. + + +Binary RPMs of AFPL Ghostscript 8.xx + +For the convenience of all m2300w users who do not want or do not have +the know-how to build ghostscript from the sources, we have built a +binary RPM package of AFPL Ghostscript 8.xx which we distribute below +under the terms of the Aladdin Free Public License +<http://www.ghostscript.com/doc/cvs/Public.htm>. Don't download the +package, if you don't agree with the licensing terms. + +This RPM package was built on SuSE Linux 8.1, but it will likely also +work with other Linux distributions which support packages in RPM format. + +It is considered as "goodie" and is not part of the m2300w driver. If +the package works for you, then your're lucky, otherwise just don't use +it and compile and install ghostscript 8.xx yourself, or live with the +ghostscript version of your Linux distribution. + +The m2300w-ghostscript package only contains Ghostscript 8.xx, but it +does not contain any fonts. Therefore you always need to install the +ghostscript packages from your Linux distributions in additition to +m2300w-ghostscript. If the m2300w-ghostscript package is installed, then +the m2300w driver still executes /usr/bin/gs (from the Linux +distribution) in order to locate the installed fonts, and then runs +/usr/share/m2300w/gs/bin/gs to "rip" the PostScript documents. + + +RPM Download: + + * http://m2300w.sourceforge.net/gs/m2300w-ghostscript-8.14-2.i386.rpm + + +======================== +!!! IMPORTANT NOTICE !!! +======================== + +Ghostscript is not part of the m2300w driver, but a separate product. In +fact, it is a very complex product. It is maintained at +http://www.ghostscript.com. Please understand, that we cannot and DO NOT +PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR GHOSTSCRIPT. So please don't ask the m2300w team for +help if you e.g. attempt to build ghostscript from the sources and run +into problems. Sorry for this inconvenience. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ +Last updated: 2004-06-29 gfuer@users.sourceforge.net + |