Re: Indexer-G-Code Update and Small Form Factor PC

Hi Chris -

I'm more annoyed about having 3 parallel cables running between
the control enclosure and the PC, than the cost of the LPT cards.
Also, I don't have 3 spare slots in the computer I'm looking at
using. I've heard that someone makes a 3 port ISA or PCI card
(SIIG?), which might solve that problem. My preferred approach
would be to install the PC inside the control enclosure. This way
I can skip the cables and just plug the parallel port breakout
boards directly to the PC.

Can anyone recommend a very small form factor, fairly modern, PC
with 3 extra slots for parallel ports? I'd like for it to have a
CDROM drive as well as integrated Ethernet, audio, and maybe
video. I've considered piecing the system together into a custom
box within the control enclosure, but it would be easier to find a
system that already has all the mounting and shielding in place
for the CD, HDD, power supply, motherboard, etc.

TIA,

Carlos Guillermo
VERVE Engineering & Design

-----Original Message-----
From: CL [mailto:datac@...]
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2001 3:29 PM
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] re:Re: Indexer-G-Code Update

Carlos,
<snip>

Sure, the 3 LPT ports are a bit of a pain not to mention the
Dongle
protection device. Frankly, I would have to admit that at a
certain point, I
too would not want to create a program that every Tom, Dick and
Harry could
copy and use as many times on as many machines as they want for
free. What
are spare Parallel ports these days anyhow ? $10 each if that.
Whoopee.

Ability's next move in this regard would be beneficial if they
could redirect
the communication to a dedicated PCI or older ISA Card. Then you
could ditch
the dongles and use your computer in not such a strict stand-alone
sense.
Less wiring, and happier users would be the outcome. Think About
the AH-Ha
card. The last time I used their product they had a card with a
37pin D-Sub
connector that communicated to the drivers cabinet. This seemed
like great
plenty of connectability as I recall.

<snip>