Random Computer Notes

1. A couple of years ago I described how I set up my Epson LQ-590ii dot-matrix printer to work under Linux/CUPS. At the end of the post, I lamented how CUPS no longer fed the native Epson printer fonts to apps like word processors. Thus, there was no easy way to access those fonts built into dot-matrix printers.

Recently Joseph Patterson got in touch with me about a project of his for Epson Raster Fonts. He created a small app using Epson’s ESC/P2 language and has been using it for a couple of decades. After chatting with him a bit, he decided to post his project on SourceForge.

The current version is bit limited. It’s aware of only the Roman and Sans fonts. A future version will include all the fonts available on the LQ-590 line (I believe there’s 8). The current package offering is in the DEB format and installs on the system so that you have access to a new command, epcol.

You can peruse the manpage to see what the options are. In essence, it reduces the hassle by introducing a set of macros that pre-process a plain text file for the most popular options. You don’t have to learn the ESC/P2 language, just some handy shortcuts.

Years ago I got into the habit of using CLI editors like Joe and Nano to collect plaintext versions of various online articles that I wanted to archive. Using a defined wrap-column made them very portable. The epcol command will complain if you have text lines too long; it cannot wrap them automatically. Thus, my old habits fit perfectly. So far, I’ve tested it with a wrap column of 74 and things turn out okay.

Thus, if I have a need to print off a copy of something from my archive, it doesn’t require a lot of reformatting. If you have a use for this sort of thing, grab a copy and play with it. Joseph has been quite amendable to comments and questions, so I recommend his project.

2. Someone raised a question that will require some explanation before I can answer.

As readers likely know, I’m not much of a warrior when it comes to the rising idiocy in America. I don’t believe there’s anything we can do to save the country. The one area where I might resemble an activist is in the realm of computers and online communications. While I am still quite dubious of any efforts to sway government policy, I am all for taking whatever actions are necessary to carry out my gospel mission online.

I have a mandate from God. I’m not much interested in any human concerns — human governments, in particular — about that mission. I’ll do whatever it takes to share the message with my audience; I will not be deterred from shepherding my flock. If there is a technological work-around for government interference, I’ll use it if I can.

In other words, while I don’t qualify for the label “hacker” when it comes to resistance, you could refer to me as an info-warrior. I will tolerate surveillance to some degree, but not censorship. Censorship of the gospel is from Hell, and I refuse to cooperate. I’ll fight that.

I treat censorship as terrorism or espionage. Sometimes it may serve well to publicly discuss methods and techniques; sometimes not. Sometimes the mission will surely branch into other forms of resistance when countering terror or espionage, and I’m simply not going to show all my cards. If you need to know, the Lord will make a way to share it privately.

Recent moves by our own American government have threatened to weaken our freedom of expression online. One of Trump’s buddies has proposed to weaken the Section 230 protections for services like WordPress, Substack, etc. The idea is to declare those services “publishers” responsible for the content of everything they host. It would make censorship a lot easier for officials, since the government wouldn’t have to wade through every blog by every individual and go after them. Instead, the government could simply declare certain kinds of writing illegal and make the “publisher” liable for it.

Sooner or later, such restrictions will come. I can’t stop that, but I can find other ways to keep my message alive. You should expect me to use those other methods when necessary. It’s not a question of whether, but when.