Fantastic issues occur after we learn the documentation. For example, we’ve all seen a Raspberry Pi work as an Ethernet adapter over USB, or a ESP32-S2 presenting as a storage gadget. Properly, [parkerlreed] has made his Steam Deck work as a USB printer after studying the Linux kernel docs on the USB gadget configuration, and all it took was some C code and a BIOS setting change.
“Wouldn’t it’s cool if our USB tablets uncovered a faux printer interface and saved the obtained paperwork as PDF?” With a SteamDeck, you are able to do simply that – because of the g_printer kernel module. The C code is pretty easy, and even enables you to configure some points of the printer gadget.
In fact, there’s gotta be a cherry on the cake, and [parkerlreed]’s shell script hides an addition that makes your PDF printing expertise all that extra practical! To not spoil it an excessive amount of – it is best to watch the video of the script in motion, showcasing each the benefit of use and the added realism.
Jokes apart, the usefulness of this script is simple, and house owners of USB-device-capable transportable Linux gadgets will discover this script essential. It’s significantly cool when somebody dives into documentation and pulls out a intelligent resolution to a “wouldn’t it’s cool” thought – basically, it’s the similar mindset that gave us the venerable RTL-SDR. What’s your favorite ‘dig into docs and work out a intelligent function’ hack?
We thank [Myself] for sharing this with us on the Hackaday Discord!