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What's Hanging on Your Parallel Port?

Posted by Cliff on from the dongles-r-us dept.

CryoStasis asks: "A buddy of mine reciently stated that 'You're not a real techie unless you have some weirdo contraption hanging off your parallel port." This comming from a guy who is using his for programing some type of micro-controller (he's being rather secretive about it until he's finished). I've decided to go into a different direction however and currently have an old NES PowerGlove hooked up that I use as a game controller. It works great and brings a whole new dimention into gaming. On the side I'm also looking at getting some kind of mouse script functioning desktop applications, no more mouse for me!. So what about everyone else. Who has something odd/unique hanging out of thier parrellel port?" Call me boring, but the only thing that hangs off of my parallel port is my printer, however I'm sure that there are a few of you out there who put their parallel port to some novel uses. Care to share?

3 of 45 comments (clear)

  1. What is this "parallel port" of which you speak? by waldoj · · Score: 5

    I'm poking around on the back of my system, but I just don't see anything like that. Digital video, S Video, Firewire, USB, some audio ports... But a "parallel port?" Maybe that's some fancy new thing that my Apples don't have yet?

    -Waldo

  2. Back in the day... by AtariDatacenter · · Score: 4

    It isn't there anymore. But back when I was crusing along with my 386/25, I got together the plans and put together one of those home-built D/A converters. The actual use for this device, however, was sound. Basically, it allowed you to play digitized sounds through the parallel port. And I'd play a lot of MODs through it. Those were good stuff. Of course, it was mono, and 8 bit, and not super high frequency. Frankly, even a SoundBlaster Pro would have been better.

  3. Back in college by chrysrobyn · · Score: 4

    Back when my Linux server was hanging on my pegboard wall with no case, I had LEDs on it. I used them for indicating waiting mail, etc. Also fun to cat /dev/hda to it. Of course, I wouldn't be a real EE geek if I hadn't put at least one motor on it over the years. I've had 2 DC motors and 6 steppers on the two parallel ports. (Use relays and an external supply or you'll burn your drivers.) Remember, you can't spell "geek" without "EE".