[rescue] Parallel ports [was Re: Slightly OT: ?Bad Cap Saga]

[der Mouse]

> Is it really that much of a problem?  USB to parallel converters are
> sold in lots of places and they work fine with printers.

And, I expect, they are hopeless for use as parallel ports (in contrast
to printer interfaces layered atop parallel ports).  When I speak of
connecting things to a parallel port, I'm talking about using them as
an 8 bits out, 5 bits in parallel port.  Not as some kind of "parallel
port restricted to use as a printer interface" botch.

I say "I expect" because I've never tried them.  The host side of USB
is way too intricate - another advantage of the real thing.

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