foo2slx

foo2slx [options] < infile.zjs > outfile.ppd

-d
    Specifies the color depth (bits per pixel) for the output PPD file. Common values are 1, 8, 24, or 32. If not specified, the tool likely uses a default depth.

-p
    Selects a specific color profile to embed into the PPD file. Color profiles define the color characteristics of the printer, for example, srgb.

The foo2slx command is a helper program designed to convert printer drivers in the foo2zjs format to PPD (PostScript Printer Description) files suitable for use with the CUPS (Common Unix Printing System).

Many low-end laser printers utilize a host-based printing architecture, relying on the host computer to perform the rasterization process. Foo2zjs drivers are frequently used with such printers. However, CUPS requires PPD files to understand printer capabilities.

foo2slx bridges this gap by processing the .zjs driver files and generating corresponding PPD files that CUPS can utilize. This allows users to easily integrate these printers into CUPS-based printing environments. The tool is often used in conjunction with other utilities such as foo2xqx, foo2zjs-wrapperd, and other tools from the foo2zjs driver suite.

The foo2slx tool's effectiveness hinges on the accuracy of the original .zjs driver file. If the .zjs file is incomplete or incorrect, the resulting PPD may be flawed, leading to printing issues or errors. It is vital to use the correct .zjs file that corresponds with the exact printer model. Support for specific printers can vary greatly across different versions of the foo2zjs driver suite.

Typically, foo2slx is not directly invoked by the user but is rather called by other scripts or tools within the foo2zjs driver installation process. The input .zjs file is specific to the printer model, and the generated PPD is then registered with CUPS.

The foo2slx command is part of the larger foo2zjs driver project, which emerged to support specific host-based laser printers where manufacturers did not provide native CUPS drivers. The development focused on reverse engineering the printer protocols and creating open-source drivers. foo2slx was subsequently created to integrate generated drivers with the ubiquitous CUPS printing system, allowing those printer users to make full use of the CUPS framework.

foo2zjs(1), foo2xqx(1), foo2zjs-wrapperd(8)