Hi all,

Wow, this has been an interesting thread to read, I feel like I turned up a few years late and more dollars short. For anyone still reading this thread, I'm sure parallel, USB, and ethernet all have a role to play. I have found that USB is problematic in some cases, particularly with Stratasys industrial grade 3D printers, while ethernet works really well. On a CNC mill I had to maintain in a previous job, the reverse was true. In managing some laboratory instruments with stepper-driven actuators, parallel was the only choice because the instrument was made in 1987, and to "upgrade" to USB would cost the business over $80K USD... so we said "Windows 3.1, a parallel port, and some floppies are good enough for us thanks".

I get that people want to express their experiences (who doesn't). I'm glad that each person here has a favourite. For me, building my first DIY CNC, I have chosen ethernet because it suits my situation. I'll be really intrigued to see how a Mesa 7I76E card goes. How that will play out... who knows. If it fails miserably, I have a dozen old computers laying about, the ability to crimp and test my own crossover cables, and a lot of networking experience. If all that fails, I have a USB Mach 3 card that I was given.... for reasons I will never understand.... when I was buying some shielded spindle cable. They sent the USB controller instead. When I contacted the seller, they sent me the cable I originally ordered and told me to keep the card.... <insert confused face and shrug here>.

Anyway, thanks to all who have shared their views on the subject, but at the end of the day, we each must choose our own path. I'll let people know how my ethernet controller works out... but it'll take a while.

Take care everyone!
Hamish.