Comment 2 for bug 1627710

It affects me to, possibly the same bug, using network printer (HP Laserjet 3052).
I confirm it affects me on 16.04 using package manager supplied hplip (v 3.16.3 ),
and even using the latest version of hplip from the project's website (v 3.16.10).

Steps to reproduce : as described in previous post.
The same process after installing hplip v 3.16.10, same result.
Traceback is slightly different with newer version of hplip, but top of the trace is the same file :
###
Found device: hp:/net/HP_LaserJet_3052?ip=__MY__IP__
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/share/hplip/ui4/setupdialog.py", line 1305, in NextButton_clicked
    self.showAddPrinterPage()
  File "/usr/share/hplip/ui4/setupdialog.py", line 731, in showAddPrinterPage
    self.readwriteFaxInformation()
  File "/usr/share/hplip/ui4/setupdialog.py", line 1128, in readwriteFaxInformation
    self.fax_number = to_unicode(d.getPhoneNum())
  File "/usr/share/hplip/fax/pmlfax.py", line 149, in getPhoneNum
    return utils.printable(self.getPML(pml.OID_FAX_LOCAL_PHONE_NUM)[1])
  File "/usr/share/hplip/base/utils.py", line 956, in printable
    return s.translate(identity, unprintable)
AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute 'translate'

Done.
###

Workaround :
I applied it on hplip version 3.16.10 (see below), ubuntu 16.04 ships with 3.16.3.
Disclaimer : Worked for me, possibly breaks something when fax number is required.

1. install hplip with auto installer, from hplip project's website (http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/gethplip.html)

2. Change file /usr/share/hplip/base/utils/.py :
Change function printable(s) into :
 955 def printable(s):
 956 if s :
 957 return s.translate(identity, unprintable)
 958 else :
 959 return ""
 960
(return empty string when s is None, otherwise changes nothing)

More info :
hplip site in release notes states that hplip v 3.16.3 supports ubuntu 16.04 in beta,
and only v 3.16.5 supports it (excerpt from http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/release_notes.html).
"""
HPLIP 3.16.5 - This release has the following changes:
Added Support for the Following New Printers:
...
Added support for the following new Distro's:

- Ubuntu 16.04
- Debian 8.4
"""
Ubuntu 16.04 still ships with hplip 3.16.3. Not that updating to 3.16.10 (latest) would help to resolve this problem.

"""
NOTE TO BUG REPORTERS :
As devs are users themselves, we can understand the frustration you face when things don't work the way you wanted,
fail unpredictably or give you the feeling of being let down by what you feel should just work for you.
The feeling is even worse when you feel powerless to change the outcome, but depend on it in some way.
Hey, we can see how it is pretty bad to feel compelled to dump a piece of software you recommended to your friends ?

In any case, user made bug reports are how things get fixed. Thanks for taking the time.
For me it told me I am not alone with this problem.

Unfortunately there are always more bugs as there is time to fix them.
You can see a list of just hplip bugs here : https://bugs.launchpad.net/hplip
There is plenty.

And to improve Ubuntu for as many people as possible, this sometimes means having to de-prioritize some problems for the benefit of all.
Adding offensive words to the bug report does not increase its priority.