I was fiddling around with my computer yesterday, moving this and that around it. I must have nudged something---I have no idea what---because my printer started spitting out pages of what seemed like gobbledygook.
Only, on closer examination, it wasn't. It said "Counters Report," and, I realized, was a tally of everything I've ever printed. I don't pretend to understand it, but, nears as I can read, since I got this printer (closing on five years ago), I've printed:
10197 normal print mode pages
12107 pc print pages
9655 total print mech jobs
794 scan jobs started
340 copy pages
(1) I'm a little alarmed, because I had no idea my printer was even keeping track of what I was doing.
(2) I'm a little paranoid, because this information might in some way some day be used against me.
(3) My gadgets know more than they let on.
Therefore (conclusion): you should be warned about what your stuff could do if prompted.
Posted by WouldBe (Member # 5682) on :
I knew that. I've been following your printer on Twitter.
Posted by Andromoidus (Member # 8514) on :
you didnt know that your printer followed everything you did? every printer since 2000 does that.
but Ill forgive you this one lapse of judgement.
just one.
jk. every gadget these days has a flash memory, and if they are connected to a computer, then the computer will store that information somewhere (if I knew, no one could stop me.) and lets you access it later.
what exactly did you "move around?"
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
"Moving around" included an old computer, an old battery backup, a new battery backup, and all the papers and other crap piled up on top of all of them. My office is the second-most cluttered room in my house, after the spare bedroom / so-called "library."
Posted by Natej11 (Member # 8547) on :
I'd be far more alarmed and embarrassed if it was my refrigerator.
Posted by aspirit (Member # 7974) on :
Robert, were you in your Command Prompt? (I'm assuming you have a Windows operating system.) I found this:
It's techie and I don't understand everything, but I think by following the instructions you could produce a Counters Report for your printer.
*Edited because "where" and "were" aren't the same word.
[This message has been edited by aspirit (edited April 05, 2009).]
Posted by drake the thall (Member # 8042) on :
Big brother loves you.
I blame the government, personally. What if someone knew how many normal pages I printed? *gasp*
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Nary a clue. Windows (whatever version) is a big mystery to me...occasionally I stumble across something interesting, but the rest of it? (big shrug.)
I had thought I hit something on my printer, but I can't duplicate it on a casual try, or find anything on the menus. I found something called a "self test report," which produces assorted colors and test patterns. But that's not it...
Posted by drake the thall (Member # 8042) on :
go to your computer history, and try likely items from that.
that should work. if not, then your printer is possesed and needs to be disposed of using an intricate ritual involving chickens and ouija boards.
Posted by aspirit (Member # 7974) on :
However, the chickens should not be slaughtered.
Posted by shimiqua (Member # 7760) on :
Only deep fried with a pinch of garlic.
Woops wrong topic. ~Sheena
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
And when I yell "It's the rise of the machines!" People look at me like I'm crazy, but it's true, these things have begun to think for themselves.
