Poll: How many of you still use a parallel or serial port?

[Auric]

I use an RS-232 port for an IrDA receiver (HTPC remote control). I also use it to mess with the ECU EEPROM in my horseless carriage via the OBD-II port. Certain software is not compatible with USB and USB is inherently less capable of strict timing in any case.

Worth noting, USB likewise fails to achieve the same sampling rate as PS/2 meeces and fails to provide for adjustment of controller dead zone as gameport does. USB does seem to be adequate for printers however.

The latest thing I did to the car, only recently, is enable an undisclosed feature to automagically open or close all the windows from the key fob. Handy for hot weather -especially to vent after being parked in the sun, before even reaching the car (the range is substantial and in any case the door lock is blanked).

 

[Jeff7]

Serial: UPS and multimeter hookups.

 

[Kirby]

Use a serial port for my Dragon12 board in my microcomputers class.

 

[Special K]

I used them a lot a couple years ago in college because there are many microcontrollers and FPGAs out there that still communicate via a standard serial port. I haven't needed to use the serial port since then, however.

The last time I used my parallel port was in the late 90's. I used to hack gameshark codes, and one of the N64 gamesharks had a parallel port interface on it. This allowed you to connect it to a PC and use more sophisticated debug software to try and find codes.

 

[olds]

My GPS connects via my serial port.

 

[IronWing]

GPS, rain gauge data logger, radio programming cable => serial port
Software doggle => parallel port

 

[Engineer]

Programming industrial machinery often requires RS-232 serial port. Many items haven't caught up to ethernet or USB hookup for programming.

 

[Eli]

Hmm.

Well, I use my phone as a modem sometimes, and it's on COM4.

Although, its not a physical port.

I can't remember the last time I actually hooked a cable up to one. Probably hooking up a mouse to an old system I was messing around with..

Edit: But yeah, if I actually had cool things like data logging multimeters, rain gauges, power supplies, etc.. then I would use them.

Ah.. I have a PWM controller thats controlled on the fly via serial port.

 

[videogames101]

I use serial for loading code onto a robot....

(not average joe)

 

[91TTZ]

I have some dataloggers that I've made that interface with my car's ECU. They use the serial port.

 

[gar3555]

Programming, programming, and more programming...
Just got a new laptop for work, it has a serial port on it .

 

[Riverhound777]

I use Parallel on HP 4000n I got from work. I use Micr toner on it too, lol.

 

[ppdes]

I use serial for a Wacom tablet and a piano. Parallel for a Nintendo controller.

 

[Asparagus]

The only serial used in my house is Rice Krispies

 

[Stvfarmboy]

I have an electronic planner that uses a serial port.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: Stiganator
Does anyone still use parallel or serial ports? I'm mostly looking at normal use of the ports.

I don't think I've used either port since 1998.

In my opinion, they should cease to produce serial and parallel because they take up way too much board space and material.

This was all brought about by looking at this atom cpu/mobo combo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813121342

I will get one once they ditch the full size DDR2 slots, ps2,serial, parallel, VGA, and IDE and swap them out for
6 more USB, a DVI port, and 2 more SATA ports, 4x DDR2-SO-DIMM and a multi function 16 x PCI-E port (not just graphics).

That would net us, 8x USB, 8GB RAM (upto 16GB if you can afford 4GB DIMMs), good digital video output, and the possibility of hardware RAID.

Also, why don't they use mini-usb on these mini mobos, it seems like you could fit way more connectors on and just offer a cheap connector dongle that converts to normal usb.

Parallel I couldnt care less about, but serial I use all the time for switches and other device configs

 

[So]

I use my serial port for microcontroller programming and my parallel for an SNES controller. I consider those "normal" enough...

 

[bobsmith1492]

At work, yes - some guys have 3 or 4 USB to serial port adaptors. I only have one so far... It's the easiest way to talk with a microcontroller.

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
I am hating the serial ports are being left off devices now. They are invaluable for datalogging. USB to Serial adapters *sometimes* work but the big issue with them is no thumbscrews.

That and the fact that is is just another dongle to lose/misplace/clutter up the laptop bag.

 

[CallMeJoe]

HP PSC500 on parallel at home. It still works great, so I see no need to pay for a new one just to use USB. At work, many avionics devices use RS-232 (serial) for diagnostics & configuration. Some still use parallel connected configuration module programmers.

Not an average Joe, but you can Call Me One.

 

[CallMeJoe]

dp

 

[secretanchitman]

nothing...we used to use a APC surge protector that we connected to our PC via serial. now we got a new one and it has usb instead.

i dont think my p5q deluxe has serial or parallel...i think my p5w dh deluxe has parallel though..

 

[ComputerWizKid]

I use the parallel port for my Radioshack 8 in one remote's JP1 interface (I really want a Logitech Harmony remote but I can't afford one) I use the serial port on my HTPC for a Matrix Orbital VFD2041 A Vacuum fluorescent Display 20 characters X 4 Lines., I also use the serial port to program my 1000 Channel police/fire/EMS Scanner (Its a PITA to program through the keypad the program makes it alot easier) I just wish my damn laptop had a serial port as the scanner adapter does not work 100% correctly with my USB to RS-232 adapter. I know alot of new Motherboards do not have a serial or parallel port on the back panel but ratter a header (AT Days any one ) I just wish the motherboard Maker would make it easier to get the proper port or even include it with the board

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: spidey07
I absolutely have to have a serial port when I put my hands on network gear. I was given a laptop with no serial port one time. WTF! You can't give a network guy a computer without a serial port.

I was waiting for this post. I expected that if this was in the networking forum it would be almost all YES

i dont use either, at the moment, i expect that to change in the fall.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I use serial at work to console into switches and routers and such. My work laptop doesn't have serial on it but a USB -> serial adapter works just fine.