HOW TO – Build parallel port prototypes
Hardwaresecrets has a goo how-to on doing projects with a parallel ports – “The computer parallel port is the easiest way to control devices outside the PC, like LEDs, lights and even home appliances. In this tutorial we will teach you how to use the computer parallel port to control circuits outside your computer. The greatest thing about printers nowadays is that they use USB connection. Thus, on the majority of modern PCs the parallel is not used, so it is available for us to use it to control circuits outside the computer box.” Link.
Shane writes “I am looking for a high capacity MP3 player and the commercial reviewers all recommend either the Apple iPod or the Toshiba Gigabeat. Both have DRM and usability issues I don’t want. I want an MP3 player that allows me the freedom to use my music as I want without having to convert formats or limit me to only playing my music on one device. I curently have a NetMD player which works wonderfully but it is getting more and more difficult to efficiently copy podcasts and non standard albums (like santastic) to mini disc without burning real or virtual CDs.” My picks are: The 
Refik writes – “Have you ever wanted to create professional looking devices, video players, show maps and GPS data on it? Your imagination is the only limit now. A DIY project on how to use a color graphic LCD display and how to design your own gadgets….” 
If you are one of those people who never has the right cable when they need it then this project is for you. Turn one cat5 network cable into the Megatron of cabling by wiring custom adaptors and bridges. This straight through cable can transform into a crossover, serial, serial null-modem, cisco console, vga or vga extension cable by using four adapters, two links and one couple. 
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