What does "offline" mean?

wildman · 11-13-2015, 12:02 PM

I have the option to set my printer to "Use Printer Offline" which sounds like a contradiction to me.
If a printer is online it's available for use and if offline then not available.
How can I use a printer that's offline (unavailable)?

I really wish computer people would stick to the plain meaning of the English language.

bertwert · 11-13-2015, 12:05 PM

It means to use the printer not through the Internet.
You can still connect your computer to it and use it.

wildman · 11-13-2015, 12:17 PM

Originally posted by bertwert

It means to use the printer not through the Internet.
You can still connect your computer to it and use it.

In other words if I always use my printers locally they should all be set to "use printer offline"?

bertwert · 11-13-2015, 12:30 PM

Originally posted by wildman

In other words if I always use my printers locally they should all be set to "use printer offline"?

Yes, you got it!

mohb · 11-13-2015, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by bertwert

It means to use the printer not through the Internet.
You can still connect your computer to it and use it.

My printer is connected to a non internet PC but still says It's off line if it (the printer) is switched off - the internet is irrelevant it's the connection between the printer and computer that can be 'Offline'. .

bertwert · 11-13-2015, 02:46 PM

It depends on the printer.
His was a setting on the printer.
Yours was a message saying the printer was disconnected.

**Ex Finn.** · 11-13-2015, 04:18 PM

Mine says "off line" when its not talking to the wireless router?

wildman · 11-14-2015, 02:06 AM

QUESTION: What does "offline" mean?

1. It means to use the printer not through the Internet.

2. It's off line if it (the printer) is switched off - the internet is irrelevant

The final word -

------------------------------------------------------------------
Definitions

In computer technology and telecommunication, online and offline are defined by Federal Standard 1037C.[citation needed] They are states or conditions of a "device or equipment" or of a "functional unit". To be considered online, one of the following may apply to a system: it is under the direct control of another device; it is under the direct control of the system with which it is associated; or it is available for immediate use on demand by the system without human intervention.[citation needed]

In contrast, a device that is offline meets none of these criteria (e.g., its main power source is disconnected or turned off, or it is off-power).

The Oxford dictionary defines "online" (sometimes also referenced as "On the Line") as "controlled by or connected to a computer" and as an activity or service which is "available on or performed using the Internet or other computer network".[1] The term is utilized within terms such as these: "online identity", "online predator", "online gambling", "online shopping", "online banking", and "online learning". The online context is given to other words by the prefixes "cyber" and "e", as in the words "cyberspace", "cybercrime", "email", and "ecommerce".[2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_and_offline

------------------------------------------------------------

My own opinion is that offline and online is just computer jargon for the plain English words "unavailable" and "available" without any necessary reference to the internet or how about just plain old off or on.

If you doubt this just try printing something to a printer that is turned off and the printer driver will report that the printer is "offline" even though you may be also surfing the internet at the same time trying to print to printer that is turned off.

**clackers** · 11-14-2015, 04:57 AM

Originally posted by bertwert

It means to use the printer not through the Internet.
You can still connect your computer to it and use it.

No, it means if the printer is not contactable, say you're sitting on a bus, the local print spooler will still queue the job and they all appear when you finally get to the office.

bertwert · 11-14-2015, 08:06 AM

I guess so, it's hard to explain tech through a forum...

Sage97 · 11-15-2015, 06:07 AM

Simply means it is not connected.

If you are using a wifi printer and something happened that caused it to drop its connection to the internet wirelessly through the wifi then it is offline.

If you are using a non wifi printer that is connected via cable to your computer and for some reason it somehow lost its connection to your computer then your printer is offline.

Offline means not connected and for the most part, it means not connected to the internet.

**clackers** · 11-16-2015, 01:38 AM

Originally posted by Sage97

Simply means it is not connected.

You're getting mixed up.

There is an option to use a printer, even though it is currently offline.

Sage97 · 11-16-2015, 04:41 AM

Originally posted by clackers

You're getting mixed up.

There is an option to use a printer, even though it is currently offline.

Where did I say that you cannot use a printer if it is offline?

**clackers** · 11-16-2015, 04:45 AM

Originally posted by Sage97

Where did I say that you cannot use a printer if it is offline?

Check the OP.

wildman · 11-16-2015, 05:43 AM

Originally posted by clackers

You're getting mixed up.

There is an option to use a printer, even though it is currently offline.

Precisely my original point. I have well understood from the beginning the sloppy use of the term "offline/online".

When my printer is turned off and I try to use it the following message is displayed:

"Mode: Offline.
Power Off or Cable Problem or Printer Busy"

Then directly below that is the logically contradictory check box "Use Printer Offline"
By definition you can not "use printer offline". It's like saying to my Wife "if you want to drive a car use one with a missing engine.

11-13-2015, 12:02 PM	#1
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	What does "offline" mean? I have the option to set my printer to "Use Printer Offline" which sounds like a contradiction to me. If a printer is online it's available for use and if offline then not available. How can I use a printer that's offline (unavailable)? I really wish computer people would stick to the plain meaning of the English language.

11-14-2015, 02:06 AM	#8
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469 Original Poster	QUESTION: What does "offline" mean? 1. It means to use the printer not through the Internet. 2. It's off line if it (the printer) is switched off - the internet is irrelevant The final word - ------------------------------------------------------------------ Definitions In computer technology and telecommunication, online and offline are defined by Federal Standard 1037C.[citation needed] They are states or conditions of a "device or equipment" or of a "functional unit". To be considered online, one of the following may apply to a system: it is under the direct control of another device; it is under the direct control of the system with which it is associated; or it is available for immediate use on demand by the system without human intervention.[citation needed] In contrast, a device that is offline meets none of these criteria (e.g., its main power source is disconnected or turned off, or it is off-power). The Oxford dictionary defines "online" (sometimes also referenced as "On the Line") as "controlled by or connected to a computer" and as an activity or service which is "available on or performed using the Internet or other computer network".[1] The term is utilized within terms such as these: "online identity", "online predator", "online gambling", "online shopping", "online banking", and "online learning". The online context is given to other words by the prefixes "cyber" and "e", as in the words "cyberspace", "cybercrime", "email", and "ecommerce".[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_and_offline ------------------------------------------------------------ My own opinion is that offline and online is just computer jargon for the plain English words "unavailable" and "available" without any necessary reference to the internet or how about just plain old off or on. If you doubt this just try printing something to a printer that is turned off and the printer driver will report that the printer is "offline" even though you may be also surfing the internet at the same time trying to print to printer that is turned off. Last edited by wildman; 11-14-2015 at 02:16 AM.

11-16-2015, 05:43 AM	#15
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469 Original Poster	Originally posted by clackers You're getting mixed up. There is an option to use a printer, even though it is currently offline. Precisely my original point. I have well understood from the beginning the sloppy use of the term "offline/online". When my printer is turned off and I try to use it the following message is displayed: "Mode: Offline. Power Off or Cable Problem or Printer Busy" Then directly below that is the logically contradictory check box "Use Printer Offline" By definition you can not "use printer offline". It's like saying to my Wife "if you want to drive a car use one with a missing engine. Last edited by wildman; 11-16-2015 at 05:51 AM.

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11-13-2015, 12:05 PM	#2
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	It means to use the printer not through the Internet. You can still connect your computer to it and use it.

11-13-2015, 12:17 PM	#3
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469 Original Poster	Originally posted by bertwert It means to use the printer not through the Internet. You can still connect your computer to it and use it. In other words if I always use my printers locally they should all be set to "use printer offline"?

11-13-2015, 12:30 PM	#4
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Originally posted by wildman In other words if I always use my printers locally they should all be set to "use printer offline"? Yes, you got it!

11-13-2015, 02:44 PM	#5
mohb Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,912	Originally posted by bertwert It means to use the printer not through the Internet. You can still connect your computer to it and use it. My printer is connected to a non internet PC but still says It's off line if it (the printer) is switched off - the internet is irrelevant it's the connection between the printer and computer that can be 'Offline'. .

11-13-2015, 02:46 PM	#6
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	It depends on the printer. His was a setting on the printer. Yours was a message saying the printer was disconnected.

11-13-2015, 04:18 PM	#7
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Mine says "off line" when its not talking to the wireless router?

11-14-2015, 04:57 AM	#9
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by bertwert It means to use the printer not through the Internet. You can still connect your computer to it and use it. No, it means if the printer is not contactable, say you're sitting on a bus, the local print spooler will still queue the job and they all appear when you finally get to the office.

11-14-2015, 08:06 AM	#10
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	I guess so, it's hard to explain tech through a forum...

11-15-2015, 06:07 AM	#11
Sage97 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,238	Simply means it is not connected. If you are using a wifi printer and something happened that caused it to drop its connection to the internet wirelessly through the wifi then it is offline. If you are using a non wifi printer that is connected via cable to your computer and for some reason it somehow lost its connection to your computer then your printer is offline. Offline means not connected and for the most part, it means not connected to the internet.

11-16-2015, 01:38 AM	#12
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Sage97 Simply means it is not connected. You're getting mixed up. There is an option to use a printer, even though it is currently offline.

11-16-2015, 04:41 AM	#13
Sage97 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,238	Originally posted by clackers You're getting mixed up. There is an option to use a printer, even though it is currently offline. Where did I say that you cannot use a printer if it is offline?

11-16-2015, 04:45 AM	#14
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Sage97 Where did I say that you cannot use a printer if it is offline? Check the OP.