What is the function of a parallel port breakout board?

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

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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.

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.