What is the function of a parallel port breakout board?

[Swarfing]

For Linux have search on Massa cards and network ports as an alternative?

[hbx]

I've been taking a look at the Mesa cards, and the 5I25 looks nice and simple. I'll stick to the LPT for now, while I figure out how to set LinuxCNC up.

[Jonathan]

I've been taking a look at the Mesa cards, and the 5I25 looks nice and simple. I'll stick to the LPT for now, while I figure out how to set LinuxCNC up.

Unless you're doing something involving high frequencies (e.g. most servos) or lots of I/O then you don't really gain much by not using the parallel portw so sticking with it is probably the best option.

[hbx]

That's what I've gathered, though the extra IOs will be pretty handy for limits, homing etc. I don't want to get ahead of myself though, I'm still not sure how to set it up for the tripod I'm building.