Re: USB module for monitoring multiple on/off switches

[shb*NO*SPAM*@comporium.net (Si Ballenger)]

On Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:24:43 -0500, gordon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(Gordon Burditt) wrote:

>>Why would somebody get a bunch of paraphenalia to hang on a USB port so they
>>can slow the signal down?
>
>How many feet can a USB cable be run before it ceases working even
>at the slowest USB speed?  If I need to run the cable to the front
>door, back door, refrigerator, freezer, garage doors, every window,
>some motion sensors, a couple of smoke alarms, and a keypad, that's
>a lot of cable.  On the other hand, polling each sensor 5 times a
>second is probably way overkill.
>
>Four USB-to-parallel-port devices, with the parallel-port devices
>(with data and control lines, you may be able to sense 10 contact
>closures each) spread around the house, might be sufficient.
>
Sorry, but you can't use those devices the way you mention. They
only work with print drivers.