24 years ago I worked at a library and had to manage public printers (inkjets, smaller attached lasers, large networked lasers, thermal, dot matrix, you name it

24 years ago I worked at a library and had to manage public printers (inkjets, smaller attached lasers, large networked lasers, thermal, dot matrix, you name it). Printing and Windows then was an unmitigated nightmare, like chasing a toddler around because if you glanced away from it for a second it would stick its fingers in an electrical socket. I’d rather deal with restoring workstations, bricked by old men surfing for porn, as horrified mothers looked on. Since then I categorically refused to buy printers. I’ll do anything to avoid printing. Then my wife bought one for her business and now it’s my fucking problem again. Wonderful to see that the printing experience has barely changed at all. Networked printing across different devices and platforms is a fucking coin toss if it’s going to work, without changing a thing, static or dynamic IP, hardwired or Wi-Fi, and connecting via USB is barely better. Every few print jobs you have to monkey with it, reinstall or reset something. It lies to you and fights with you about toner or ink, even when you have it fresh and straight from the manufacturer. I’d rather quit my job and press her customers’ receipts into clay fucking tablets than touch the damned things. So, I hope this makes things better. I won’t hold my breath, though.