HN 提问：USB 转 WiFi 打印服务器，适用于老式打印机——你需要吗？
4 分•作者: ValdikSS•3 个月前
我正在考虑为西方市场发起一个众筹活动，推出一款现代化的、功能齐全的打印服务器设备，该设备可以实现以下功能：
* 将您旧的 USB 打印机（或多功能一体机）转换为 Wi-Fi 打印机/多功能一体机
* 无需驱动程序即可从 Windows/macOS/Linux 以及 iOS/Android 进行打印和扫描
* 让您旧的打印机能够与任何现代 PC、Mac 或智能手机配合使用，即使驱动程序已过时且无法在当前操作系统版本上运行
在过去的三年里，我一直在开发和改进底层的 CUPS 打印堆栈、SANE 扫描引擎以及开源打印机驱动程序，以及这款设备本身。该设备主要在独联体国家销售，只有少量销往欧盟、美国、加拿大和非洲。
在欧盟，有一些公司专门收购制造黄金时期（2004-2012 年）的旧二手打印机，进行专业翻新并提供保修。这些旧打印机通常比当前型号更坚固，维护成本更低。因此，即使消费者购买的是“新”打印机，也存在对这类设备的需求，因为许多人希望通过 Wi-Fi 进行打印。
在美国，情况是否也一样？我在 eBay 上看到过销售旧打印机的商家，但据我观察，购买二手打印机的想法似乎并不普遍。
这款设备基本上是一个预配置的单板计算机（SBC），集成了 CUPS + SANE + AirSane + box86，安装并测试了所有驱动程序（包括许多专有的 x86 驱动程序，通过模拟运行），并进行了大量补丁以确保稳定和快速的运行。
价格大约在 45-60 美元之间。以前价格更低，但由于目前的内存价格，很遗憾无法再降低了。
您个人是否想要这样的设备（或者认识可能需要它的人），并且愿意以这个价格购买吗？
https://litter.catbox.moe/h0qx56.webp
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I'm thinking on making a crowdfunding campaign for the western audience for a proper, modern print server device which allows to:<p><pre><code> * Convert your old USB printer (or MFP) into Wi-Fi printer/MFP
* Print and scan without drivers from Windows/macOS/Linux, as well as iOS/Android
* Use your old printer with any modern PC, Mac or smartphone, even if the driver is obsolete and doesn't work on current OS versions
</code></pre>
I've spend the last 3 years making and improving the underlying CUPS printing stack, SANE scanning engine, and open-source printer drivers, along with the device. It was selling mostly in ex-CIS countries, only some have been sold to EU, US, Canada, Africa.<p>In the EU, there are companies which specialize on buying old used printers from the golden era of manufacturing (2004-2012), professionally refurbish them, and sell with the warranty. These older printers are usually much sturdier and cheaper in maintenance than the current models. That's why there's a need for such a device even when the user buys 'new' printer, because many want to print over Wi-Fi.<p>Is it's the case for the US as well? I've seen different sellers on ebay for older printers, but the idea of buying a used printer doesn't seem to be common at all from what I could see.<p>This is more or less a preconfigured SBC with CUPS + SANE + AirSane + box86, with all the drivers installed and tested (incl. many proprietary, for x86, which are running under emulation), and many patches to ensure stable and fast operation.<p>The price would be around $45-60. Used to be cheaper, but due to current RAM prices can't go lower unfortunately.<p>Do you personally want such a device (or know someone who might want it) and would buy it for this price?<p>https://litter.catbox.moe/h0qx56.webp