this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2026
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Enshittification

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What is enshittification?

The phenomenon of online platforms gradually degrading the quality of their services, often by promoting advertisements and sponsored content, in order to increase profits. (Cory Doctorow, 2022, extracted from Wikitionary) source

The lifecycle of Big Internet

We discuss how predatory big tech platforms live and die by luring people in and then decaying for profit.

Embrace, extend and extinguish

We also discuss how naturally open technologies like the Fediverse can be susceptible to corporate takeovers, rugpulls and subsequent enshittification.

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So I've recently come into the market for a good printer, or as good a one as I can find because printers are straight up evil. I thought posting here would be relevant seeing that most of the printers I have looked up are enshittified garbage (looking at you HP).

My old thrift store Brother printer does well for basic text printing, but I'm looking for something that can handle glossy photo printing with decent quality; not perfect, just decent. I don't need all the bells and whistles like fax, scanning, etc. just a simple good printer that isn't an enshittified ink subscription machine.

Things I am looking for:
Linux Compatability (Fedora Workstation)
USB or wired connection (no required internet)
Can handle thicker glossy 8.5x11
Decent photo quality , color printing
Double sided printing
(Optional) 3rd party ink compatible
(Optional) compact/small
(Optional) Under $400, preferably between $80 and $200

Any recommendations? What have you used and liked? Are there any other good brands or startups that arent the big four (HP, Canon, Brother, Epson)?

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[–] Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)
  1. Use a CUPS print server - handles both Linux and Windows print jobs using a standardized print language.

Other than that, Brother laser is the the go-to, or an old used HP.

I inherited a 2012 HP B/W laser that has wifi. Surprisingly works very well, so I kept it.

It can connect via USB, but also works well via wifi. Rarely has issues.

If you really do need color, I think laser is still the better answer, it just costs more.

I have an older Canon ImageClass color that works great, surprisingly.