imagePRESS Server-T1 installer is...drumroll...an application...

[donmontalvo]

So EFI's engineers released an *.app format installer. I'm guessing they hired some of Adobe's engineer flunkies. It's a little disappointing, since EFI had an engineer or two who kind'a, sort'a knew what they were doing. Maybe they moved on to companies that give a hoot about Apple software delivery guidelines?

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In any case, if you have imagePRESS C1 color printers and have overcome EFI engineers' incompetence (read: managed to create a proper zero-touch PKG installer), I'd sure like to hear about it.

Here is a link to the driver download. Note this isn't the built-in-almost-a-rip "driver" that you get if you Google for imagePRESS C1. Instead, it is the proper driver if you've got this printer with the imagePRESS Server-T1 hanging off its side (IOW a Fiery RIP):

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/production_printing/imagepress_digital_presses/server_t1/image...

I cracked open the pretty *.app installer application, and wouldn't you know it, there are at least three PKG installers buried in it. Of course they don't install on a logged off remote Mac. Why would they when they can get zero-cost engineering subsidy from the Mac admin community?

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I guess EFI's engineering group is being (micro)managed by folks who don't get a clue. You know, the ones that don't realize that maybe big companies with a lot of Macs might just need to use their product. You know, like why not sneaker-net the installer, it's not like gonna hit EFI's bottom line. Capable/competent people like, you know, cost money.

Is this another one of those Adobe-duct-tape style packaging tasks?

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Don

[bentoms]

I turned mine into a DMG with the new & modified files, trimmed the fat before creating the DMG.

Note, this wasn't the C1 exactly, but other drives in the family... Also: http://macmule.com/2013/07/16/canon-imagerunner-advance-c5240i-b2-printing-duplex/

Anyways, we recently moved to 5240's, 5260's & 7260's & needed to turn all those drivers into DMG's.

[donmontalvo]

@bentoms Thanks, I hate snapshots but I suppose that's the only option for these drivers. For setup, we use lpoptions and are able to configure the printer and tweak all the necessary settings based on the feature set for that specific printer. Many cases of the same printer/RIP combo being deployed, but with different options (feeder, stapler, folder, punch, finisher, etc.).

EFI had a good engineer, I really hate that the person left, but I hate even more that those who filled his shows doesn't give a rat's behind about producing quality installers, following Apple guidelines. IOW, toss the former engineer's stuff into an *.app bundle and toss in a few odds and ends, some duct tape, etc., and hope nobody notices.

I guess it boils down to management at EFI, focussed on profits instead of quality, I'm hoping the day will come where those "Make money by shaving corners" loses out to "We do things right, for all the right reasons". Just like Chipotle...read the history on this video. ;)

http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/09/16/beautiful-chipotle-promo-video-goes-viral/

Thank you JAMF Software for putting integrity ahead of profits, I wish other companies would follow suit. :(

Don

[namesaregone]

Thanks for the information Don. We're getting ready to lease some additional Canon printers with Fierys and I was just starting to test out my options for deploying these drivers to 200 machines. Up until now, we've only ever had to run the drivers for the Canons we have off of a few dedicated print stations but when I tried to automate the driver install for them it didn't work right and it's nice to know why.

So far, I tried a snapshot but that didn't seem to capture all of the necessary files and I needed to install the driver again.

Good to know I'm not the only one having trouble with these.

[donmontalvo]

Snapshots are dangerous, especially with CUPS, where /etc/printers.conf is updated but not replaced. If you're snapshooting for the install pieces and then circling back to add printers with Casper Admin or lpadmin, thens should be fine.

We got word to the EFI powers that be, they are aware of the need for PKG installers.

Hopefully we'll see proper PKG installers soon, fingers, toes and eyes crossed...

Don

[namesaregone]

That's exactly what I was doing Don, adding the printers after the fact with Casper Admin. Adding the printers seems to work fine, but I always end up with an error requiring me to reinstall the software.

I'll keep playing around with the snapshot part while dreaming of those PKG installers.

Thanks for the update!