Anyone still using parallel port cards for older hardware?

Hey everyone, I was just curious about something. Does anyone here still need or use dedicated parallel port cards in their computers these days? I recently stumbled upon an old printer at my grandma's house that still works perfectly, but it uses a parallel connection. My current PC, like most modern ones, doesn't have one built in. It got me thinking if people in the retro computing scene or even in certain industrial applications still rely on these older technologies.

It's funny you ask, because I actually needed one not too long ago for a very specific application. My dad has some old diagnostic equipment for classic cars that only interfaces via a parallel port, and his old desktop finally kicked the bucket. We ended up getting a PCI parallel card to put into a new build that supports the various EPP/ECP modes, and it worked like a charm. It can be a real lifesaver for older industrial machines or scientific instruments that haven't been updated in decades but are still perfectly functional. There’s a useful manual at https://en.manual.ly/startech/starte...lel-pci/manual if you ever need to set one up, it covers a lot of the common issues. They are definitely less common now, but still essential for niche uses.

That's a really interesting point that parallel ports are still relevant in specific professional or hobbyist contexts. Most people probably assume they're completely obsolete, given how ubiquitous USB and other modern interfaces have become. It just goes to show that older technologies often find new life or maintain their utility in specialized areas where replacement isn't practical or cost-effective.