On Mon, 2012-08-06 at 22:40 -0400, Ron Ginger wrote: > Matt Shaver wrote: > > > I spoke with Brian Barker at the CNC Workshop and I > > think he said that the Mac & Linux versions would use external pulse > > generators like the SmoothStepper _only_, at least initially. Perhaps > > they'll go back and port their parallel port step generator module > > later. > > I have never heard any discussion of adding parallel port to Linux. In > these days when everyone is worried about the end of the parallel port > it would seem foolish to try. There are now abut a dozen hardware motion > controllers supported on mach, with more in the works.
A few things come to my mind. In my opinion, motherboard and add-on parallel ports are still common enough to not have to worry about this issue for quite a while. It seems most people who complain about the missing ports are trying to use ITX and smaller boards, but to me, worrying about a few square inches of motherboard space for a machine that often weighs over a ton borders on noise. I think it's best to consider what one wants the machine to do, then buy the hardware that best fits the need, rather than buy what's trendy, then try to make it work. On the other hand, hardware step generators for LinuxCNC are getting inexpensive enough to make them often, _overall_, cheaper than many parallel port setups. I suspect the Mach hardware generators are, or will be, closed and so would not be popular with the Linux crowd. (If you can't fix it, you don't own it, http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/if-you-cant-fix-it-you-dont-own-it-ifixits-new-self-repair-manifesto.html ) ... snip > I dont mean to keep pushing mach here, but I will answer questions when > I know the answers. > > ron ginger If Mach comes up or can provide insight, I think anyone has the right to defend or explore it here on the list, especially if one has first hand experience with it. LinuxCNC users should be as open (minded) as the software. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/index.html California, USA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Live Security Virtual Conference Exclusive live event will cover all the ways today's security and threat landscape has changed and how IT managers can respond. Discussions will include endpoint security, mobile security and the latest in malware threats. http://www.accelacomm.com/jaw/sfrnl04242012/114/50122263/ _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
