[mdlug] Adding parallel port- PCI card or USB?

[Robert Adkins]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: mdlug-bounces at mdlug.org 
> [mailto:mdlug-bounces at mdlug.org] On Behalf Of Raymond McLaughlin
> Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 10:44 AM
> To: mdlug at mdlug.org
> Subject: [mdlug] Adding parallel port- PCI card or USB?
> 
> MDLUGERs:
> 
> I need a bit of hardware advice here. I just built up a new 
> machine, and the motherboard has no parallel port, but I've 
> decided I want to keep my trusty old printer for now.
> 
> Off hand, I would expect a PCI card to be more reliable, but 
> I think a USB to parallel adapter might give me more 
> flexablity. Any one here have any experience with either? 
> Under Linux, of course.
> 

  I am unsure if a USB model will work correcly under Linux, some of those
are pretty hung up on Windows Only Drivers and create a "Virtual" port from
my understanding.

  Locating a PCI model could also prove difficult.

  You might want to look at a print server that connects to a parallel port.
They are supposed to be entirely OS agnostic and just have a network cable
plugged into them. Being low-power they shouldn't really register on your
electricity bill either.

	-Rob