CUPS provides a portable printing layer for UNIX-based operating systems. It is developed and maintained by Easy Software Products to promote a standard printing solution and is the standard printing system in Mac OS X and most Linux distributions. CUPS uses the Internet Printing Protocol ("IPP") as the basis for managing print jobs and queues and adds network printer browsing and PostScript Printer Description ("PPD") based printing options to support real-world printing.
What's New
Version 1.5.3:
Provides an improved USB backend based on libusb 1.0 and fixes a number of PostScript, SSL, authenticated printing, and networking issues.
FIXAMAC? Yes, but:
"07/22/11
We realize that now that Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) has been released, a lot of you will be wanting to upgrade Spotless and Print Therapy. Currently, we do not have Lion compatible versions of these products. Rest assured that we are working hard on the next versions and will have them released as soon as possible."
People who are using the latest major version of OS X have no use for this. Apple already makes sure that CUPS is kept up-to-date for those users. The only people who might need or want this are those using an earlier version of the operating system, because in those cases, Apple usually stops providing anything other than basic security updates, and allows certain open source components to languish.
For example, while Snow Leopard already has version 1.4.5 of CUPS, Leopard, even at 10.5.8 and with Apple's security updates that came after it, is still at version 1.3.11.
And with that said, keep in mind that if you don't know what you are doing you can completely DESTROY your ability to print, which will require an operating system re-install or a backup restore. Unless you're comfortable building from source and know how to handle anything that might go wrong, LEAVE THIS ALONE. Please.
And backup your hard drive or make sure that your Time Machine backups are working BEFORE you install this. Please.
I second this post! Years ago I fubar'd my MDD G4 doing the same thing! lol Apple owns the rights to CUPS now, anyway, so its built in and not worth tampering with.
To see what version you've installed and for further help point your browser to: http://localhost:631/
Really? Got a link to an article or even some rumor and speculation? I know that Java and Rosetta have been deprecated or removed, but hadn't heard anything about CUPS.
In any event, it doesn't matter, since an OS has to provide printing services, so if CUPS goes away it will just be replaced with something else. The end-user could care less.
Sorry about the site not found stuff- I stopped producing the binaries. The cost of having a .Mac account became too much without any donations. So sorry- If someone would host I could continue to build though.
I don't get it.
CUPS is incorporated into every Apple sold today and neither a developer or support person for the product can afford a .Mac account or maintain a workable server?
The web is filled with low-cost or free servers.
Few of us, myself included, know how to compile source code.
So why is it still be featured here on M.U. as source code only or not provided as a binary? Even Apple ignores it as being important enough to provide via their built-in Software Update feature.
A user interested in this app literally has to wait until Apple updates their system.
That's not right when it comes to "the" integral printing engine used by OS X.
Can't anyone spend $10/yr for a small server with an installer for the latest binary when it's something as important as printing on an installed base of MILLIONS of computers???
I get better support and more timely updates with VueScan, a small scanning app published by single, private author.
If you sell it, you should support it. Are you listening Apple?
Look, that is the point: this developer does NOT "sell" this. He's saying that he can't afford to host the binaries. Think that's bad - do it yourself, then, if it is so cheap.
Second, if you cannot compile the binaries to this updated version of open source software, just wait for Apple to include an update when they think it is necessary. Is there something wrong with what comes with Mac OS X for you? This is one of those :if it ain't broke, don't fix it situations" unless, of course, you are the kind of person who wants to (and CAN) compile the freshest binaries yourself.
Don't be rude to someone who is developing this software for FREE. At some point, Apple will decide to include updates, and then this guy's hard work will benefit millions of Mac users.
P.S. I'm also a customer of Hamrick Software (developer of VueScan). A great product, and I expect customer service from Hamrick because I am a _paying_ customer. Did you send this developer money? No? Then don't pick on him.
I DID pay Hamrick software for VueScan.
That's why I appreciate the great support from them.
I also paid Apple for OS X and expect support from them.
But the point you seem to be missing is that the developers themselves are finding and fixing bugs continuously in CUPS.
Apple doesn't release these updates until they compile and release an entirely new version system.
Rarely, if ever, have I seen Apple Software Update provide these updates.
As for servers, I have several Dreamhost accounts.
For about $10/yr each I get unlimited storage and unlimited bandwidth.
Less than the price for a meal where I live.
So if the developers would like to compile downloadable binaries, I would be happy to host them myself.
Simply provide an email address here for someone I can contact and yeah.. smarta**... I WILL host them myself.
I've been an Apple customer for 30 years this year and paid for all of my software whether it was for my first Apple ][+ or my present Imac.
Don't assume everyone is a leach or not willing to put their money where their mouth is, ok Krioni?
Hmm. If you are complaining that Apple should update their included open-source software packages more often, I somewhat agree with you. That said, Apple has a lot to test for, and non-critical open-source updates probably fall behind fixing bugs that actually cause problems for users.
However, it sounded very much like your were criticizing the volunteer developers of a free open-source package of software for not compiling and hosting binaries. That's what I was offended by. Yes, you paid Hamrick, but you didn't pay these guys. They owe you nothing.
As far as hosting costs, you must have a great deal with dreamhost.com - their page describes unlimited hosting as costing $8.95/month, which is quite a bit more than $10/year.
However, I bet you could contact the developers directly (MacUpdate.com comments are probably not the most direct way to reach them), and offer to host compiled binaries. Or, perhaps you could team up with someone who, while not skilled enough to develop the software itself, could at least help in compiling binaries, and then you host them. That wouldn't even require contacting the developers, just finding one person to do (or help you do) the compiling. That would be much more constructive than seeming to blame people who are working for free because they want to make good software for the community.
Once again, if you were picking only on Apple, most of what I said does not apply. You certainly DID pay them, and so have every right to complain, even if what Apple is doing might make sense (as far as where they place priority on updates).
I would love this update right now, but I don't know why it's listed here either.
I HAVE to wait on Apple.
It says on cups.org...
"We are no longer providing binaries for Mac OS X since CUPS 1.3.x is not fully compatible with Mac OS X 10.4.x. You can compile and install CUPS 1.3.x from source, however most of the GUI administration tools provided in Mac OS X will no longer work."
Be safe- don't install or compile anything over 1210 for 10.4. The GUI is not able to accommodate the new features of anything newer than that. It may function via CL or web interface but that's not very Apple is it?
You don't need to, as Apple will add the necessary CUPS update to a future Software Update. Doesn't mean the developer can't announce the immediate availability of updates though (this is for Unix too after all).
Trust Software Update. As long as you don't do something stupid like delete Receipts from your System, Software Update will usually know what your system needs.
Will this one allow my Kodak all-in-one to work? I tried the update two versions ago, and it killed my printer. I had to install the entire operating system again.
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CUPS provides a portable printing layer for UNIX-based operating systems. It is developed and maintained by Easy Software Products to promote a standard printing solution and is the standard printing system in Mac OS X and most Linux distributions. CUPS uses the Internet Printing Protocol ("IPP") as the basis for managing print jobs and queues and adds network printer browsing and PostScript Printer Description ("PPD") based printing options to support real-world printing.
+1
+50
+55
Monty reviewed on 05 Feb 2012
Looking at the developer's site, 1.5.1 was pulled. Current version is 1.5.2.
Correct link is http://www.cups.org/software.php?VERSION=1.5.2&FILE=cups/1.5.2/cups-1.5.2-source.tar.bz2
+1
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+1
+3
"07/22/11
We realize that now that Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) has been released, a lot of you will be wanting to upgrade Spotless and Print Therapy. Currently, we do not have Lion compatible versions of these products. Rest assured that we are working hard on the next versions and will have them released as soon as possible."
+12
+544
For example, while Snow Leopard already has version 1.4.5 of CUPS, Leopard, even at 10.5.8 and with Apple's security updates that came after it, is still at version 1.3.11.
And with that said, keep in mind that if you don't know what you are doing you can completely DESTROY your ability to print, which will require an operating system re-install or a backup restore. Unless you're comfortable building from source and know how to handle anything that might go wrong, LEAVE THIS ALONE. Please.
And backup your hard drive or make sure that your Time Machine backups are working BEFORE you install this. Please.
+5
+187
To see what version you've installed and for further help point your browser to: http://localhost:631/
-2
-1443
+544
In any event, it doesn't matter, since an OS has to provide printing services, so if CUPS goes away it will just be replaced with something else. The end-user could care less.
+2
-1443
+3
+71
cups-config --version
My 10.6.5 Mac had 1.4.5 already installed.
+187
+2
+20
Just in case anyone was curious...
+1
+32
-1
+2
CUPS is incorporated into every Apple sold today and neither a developer or support person for the product can afford a .Mac account or maintain a workable server?
The web is filled with low-cost or free servers.
Few of us, myself included, know how to compile source code.
So why is it still be featured here on M.U. as source code only or not provided as a binary? Even Apple ignores it as being important enough to provide via their built-in Software Update feature.
A user interested in this app literally has to wait until Apple updates their system.
That's not right when it comes to "the" integral printing engine used by OS X.
Can't anyone spend $10/yr for a small server with an installer for the latest binary when it's something as important as printing on an installed base of MILLIONS of computers???
I get better support and more timely updates with VueScan, a small scanning app published by single, private author.
If you sell it, you should support it. Are you listening Apple?
+2
+59
Look, that is the point: this developer does NOT "sell" this. He's saying that he can't afford to host the binaries. Think that's bad - do it yourself, then, if it is so cheap.
Second, if you cannot compile the binaries to this updated version of open source software, just wait for Apple to include an update when they think it is necessary. Is there something wrong with what comes with Mac OS X for you? This is one of those :if it ain't broke, don't fix it situations" unless, of course, you are the kind of person who wants to (and CAN) compile the freshest binaries yourself.
Don't be rude to someone who is developing this software for FREE. At some point, Apple will decide to include updates, and then this guy's hard work will benefit millions of Mac users.
Geez!
+1
+59
+2
I DID pay Hamrick software for VueScan.
That's why I appreciate the great support from them.
I also paid Apple for OS X and expect support from them.
But the point you seem to be missing is that the developers themselves are finding and fixing bugs continuously in CUPS.
Apple doesn't release these updates until they compile and release an entirely new version system.
Rarely, if ever, have I seen Apple Software Update provide these updates.
As for servers, I have several Dreamhost accounts.
For about $10/yr each I get unlimited storage and unlimited bandwidth.
Less than the price for a meal where I live.
So if the developers would like to compile downloadable binaries, I would be happy to host them myself.
Simply provide an email address here for someone I can contact and yeah.. smarta**... I WILL host them myself.
I've been an Apple customer for 30 years this year and paid for all of my software whether it was for my first Apple ][+ or my present Imac.
Don't assume everyone is a leach or not willing to put their money where their mouth is, ok Krioni?
+3
+59
Hmm. If you are complaining that Apple should update their included open-source software packages more often, I somewhat agree with you. That said, Apple has a lot to test for, and non-critical open-source updates probably fall behind fixing bugs that actually cause problems for users.
However, it sounded very much like your were criticizing the volunteer developers of a free open-source package of software for not compiling and hosting binaries. That's what I was offended by. Yes, you paid Hamrick, but you didn't pay these guys. They owe you nothing.
As far as hosting costs, you must have a great deal with dreamhost.com - their page describes unlimited hosting as costing $8.95/month, which is quite a bit more than $10/year.
However, I bet you could contact the developers directly (MacUpdate.com comments are probably not the most direct way to reach them), and offer to host compiled binaries. Or, perhaps you could team up with someone who, while not skilled enough to develop the software itself, could at least help in compiling binaries, and then you host them. That wouldn't even require contacting the developers, just finding one person to do (or help you do) the compiling. That would be much more constructive than seeming to blame people who are working for free because they want to make good software for the community.
Once again, if you were picking only on Apple, most of what I said does not apply. You certainly DID pay them, and so have every right to complain, even if what Apple is doing might make sense (as far as where they place priority on updates).
+2
+32
Be careful and if it ain't broke- don't fix it!
http://web.mac.com/a.ramos/
+1
+941
+2
I HAVE to wait on Apple.
It says on cups.org...
"We are no longer providing binaries for Mac OS X since CUPS 1.3.x is not fully compatible with Mac OS X 10.4.x. You can compile and install CUPS 1.3.x from source, however most of the GUI administration tools provided in Mac OS X will no longer work."
+32
+1
+29
+8
+264
Trust Software Update. As long as you don't do something stupid like delete Receipts from your System, Software Update will usually know what your system needs.
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+59
+1
+32
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[1] Open Terminal.
[2] sudo killall cupsd
[3] sudo rm /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/org.cups.*
[4] sudo diskutil repairPermissions /
[5] Open Printer Setup Utility and add printers.
+27
DJSquint rated on 05 Feb 2012
-1
Sstanchev rated on 05 Dec 2010
Macmedia rated on 05 Dec 2010