FlishFun.com

Today while I was on the net, I quite accidentally stumbled upon an awesome blog entry that has a PERL code to allow you to change your HP LaserJet “Ready” text!  While we run mostly a Dell shop around here, we do have one HP4200 that sits all day and waits for the occasional print job, and I think it would be lovely to change the text.  Here is what Yaakov had to say on his blog:

It is amazing how unaware some people can be. This little perl program allows you to set the “Ready Message” on HP printers to whatever you’d like. (if you want to run it under Windows, and don’t know how, read this.) I wrote it after coming across the command in an HPPJL (HP Printer Job Language) reference manual I was reading for some reason that I now forget. Thanks to the flexibility and power of perl, it was a no-brainer to play with the new information. (Maybe you should consider learning perl?)

Sounds entertaining, but does it work?  Well, you know what they say about pictures and what they’re worth:

The question is, will anyone notice?  Yaakov doesn’t think so:

Well, of course I couldn’t ignore such an opportunity, and it turns out to be a lot of fun. You can think up your own funny, confusing or scary messages. My personal favorite is “INSERT COIN” which fits perfectly on the small LCDs. You can even sit in sight of the printer and change the message while watching the reaction of your victim. Don’t be surprised, though, if a large fraction don’t even notice. I was quite surprised myself but, it appears, some people don’t look at what is in front of them.

I’m not so sure if he’s right though… I’d like to imagine people would pay more attention than that!  So what else can you do?  Well, if you have a 4200 series you can allow it to display the weather.  And what if people complain?  Simply undo it!  This may be an old post, and old news, but it’s new to me, so I thought I’d share!