I use a network-connected HP printer through hplip and cups. Everything works well. Thanks to everyone for that. I'm trying to discover how to access the media card ports that are built-in on the printer.

Q1: Is there some way that my linux workstations can mount or otherwise access these flash-media cards?

If not, then,

Q2: Does anyone know about a network-connected, shared resource, multiple format media card device?
(My wireless router has a USB port for shared things, but I think
it will only play win-doze.)

Thanks,
~~~ 0;-Dan

From a bit of googling you can down load photos from the memory cards via the HP-unload or HP-toolbox applications. However, it appears this only works if directly connected via a USB cable.

If the router's USB port is for mass storage devices then it is probably accessible as a samba share. The documentation might detail what protocols the router uses.

IMHO I do not see the need to network share media cards. I would get a USB multi media card readers and copy the pictures to your computer. You can always share that directory if desired.

I am not aware of a specific network connected device designed for media cards but you could get the the following and connect a card reader.
http://www.simpletech.com/products/s.../simplenet.php

SITUATION: Someone a media card. Argh! No available reader. Viola!
Printer has reader ... use it? Need howto!

Win-doze automatically presents these media slots as "network drives".
I was hoping that someone had suss'ed out how to get linux to do the
same thing.

I think that the original intent of these ports was to permit instant camera->reader->print or camera->reader->email of images directly from the printer without the need for a computer download first.

~~~ 0;-Dan

Don't know what version of Linux you're using, but with recent versions of Fedora, the slots on my printer (HP Photosmart D7260) are recognized automagically when I insert a card (as long as the printer is turned on)

Is your printer connected by wire or network?

How do they appear to your linux workstation -- similar to how other USB or FLASH storage appears or as some "mountable resource"?

I'm using Ubuntu and a net connected printer. That might be the problem.

~~~ 0;-/ Dan

My connection is wired; that could well make a difference. The slots on the printer work just like the slots on my desktop PC's built-in card reader. Plugged an SD card into the printer's SD slot; it showed up as /dev/sdb1; in my computer's SD slot, it was /dev/sde1.

I'll experiment with a direct connection (USB) to see if it is a printer-reader vs. connection issue or if something else is at work.

Report to follow,
~~~ 0;-Dan