Bug 488274 - Printer kcm doesn't display printer name
Summary: Printer kcm doesn't display printer name
Status: RESOLVED INTENTIONAL
Alias: None
Product: systemsettings
Classification: Applications
Component: kcm_printer_manager (show other bugs)
Version: 6.0.5
Platform: Other Linux
: NOR normal
Target Milestone: ---
Assignee: Plasma Bugs List
URL:
Keywords:
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2024-06-09 22:16 UTC by Richard Llom
Modified: 2024-06-10 17:53 UTC (History)
2 users (show)

See Also:
Latest Commit:
Version Fixed In:
Sentry Crash Report:


Attachments
Printers displayed in cups administration (52.56 KB, image/png)
2024-06-09 22:16 UTC, Richard Llom
Details
Printers displayed in Plasma system settings (79.88 KB, image/png)
2024-06-09 22:16 UTC, Richard Llom
Details
Display of printer in print dialog (33.61 KB, image/png)
2024-06-09 22:17 UTC, Richard Llom
Details

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Description Richard Llom 2024-06-09 22:16:05 UTC
Created attachment 170306 [details]
Printers displayed in cups administration

SUMMARY
The printer kcm doesn't display the actual printer name. Instead only the description of the printer is displayed.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Setup multiple printers (can also be the same)
2. Enter additional information, such as description and location

OBSERVED RESULT
In system settings only the description of an printer is shown.

EXPECTED RESULT
The printer name should be listed first and then additional information, like model, description, location - similiar to cups.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
See also screenshots.
In general the display of printer should be consistent within plasma.
Currently the kcm is only displaying the printer description.
The printing dialog is displaying printer name, location and model - but not the printer description.
Comment 1 Richard Llom 2024-06-09 22:16:55 UTC
Created attachment 170307 [details]
Printers displayed in Plasma system settings
Comment 2 Richard Llom 2024-06-09 22:17:41 UTC
Created attachment 170308 [details]
Display of printer in print dialog
Comment 3 Mike 2024-06-10 00:01:26 UTC
It was a UX decision made when moving to Plasma6 that the printer name (queue name) would be a secondary item going forward and the Description would be the forward-facing display for the printer, because this is something the user can customize.
Comment 4 Richard Llom 2024-06-10 17:29:45 UTC
(In reply to Mike from comment #3)
> It was a UX decision made when moving to Plasma6 that the printer name
> (queue name) would be a secondary item going forward and the Description
> would be the forward-facing display for the printer, because this is
> something the user can customize.

Well, I would suggest to reconsider that decision. If one can't find the same printer from the print dialog in the printer kcm (at first glance), something is wrong IMHO.

Also I don't understand the reasoning in the first place:
If it is an home setup the user can define both the printer name and description.
If it is a company setup, I would expect the system administrator to set those fields, so the user cannot change neither of those.
Comment 5 Mike 2024-06-10 17:53:11 UTC
Okay, I think I see what you mean now, didn't quite understand earlier.  It appears that apps with printer dialogs (either standardized or not) are using the printer name (queue_name) in the list of displayed printers.  Many appear to also display the description either in the list or once the printer is selected.  But some don't show the description at all.

Kind of two issues here:  1. Apps with custom printer dialogs could be updated to show printer description in some way.  2.  We can add a tooltip or a label of some sort to the main print manager view to show the queue name.