> problem by changing the bitmask used by the control port test -- it
   > included bits like "paper out" which my printer apparently didn't allow
   I get a paper-out error message whenever it's off-line (that is after I got 
   the port to be recognized by yanking the cable)

Is this with 1.0 or with the -current driver?  I changed the probe
test a long time ago to only diddle one line on the control port.

BTW, I just changed the error test to prefer `offline' over `out of
paper', so it should give you right message now.