Hello!

I am developing a parallel.device replacement with extended set of
features and support for modern hardware. Since looks like i'm the
only one who made it, i'd like to propose my API as a new standard for
Amiga family of operating systems.

The project's primary goal is to enable complete usage of a parallel
port on Amiga family systems for wide range of devices like scanners,
external drives, homemade electronics, JTAG adapters, EPROM
programmers, etc.

The proposed hardware targets which can use the new standard are:
- AmigaOne, Pegasos and other next-generation PowerPC systems.
- Systems running AROS (x86 hardware and possibly others).
- I/O expansion boards for classic Amiga (Hypercom, VarIO, etc).

The current autodoc can be found at:
http://unmorphos.cvs.sourceforge.net/*checkout*/unmorphos/1284parallel/docs/1284parallel.doc?content-type=text%2Fplain

The complete 1284parallel.device source tree is here:
http://unmorphos.cvs.sourceforge.net/unmorphos/1284parallel/

This api is based on libieee1284 (http://cyberelk.net/tim/software/libieee1284/).
I chose this in order to simplify drivers and software porting.

Currently only the most needed part of the specification is
developed. A final set of features will include:
- support for EPP and ECP modes.
- complete libieee1284 API.
- support for PCI add-on I/O cards.

The device currently works, it's tested for output to the printer and
also extended commands are tested using supplied testcases. It
currently builds for MorphOS, i am also going to make an AROS port.

Everyone interested is welcome to discuss it. Write to my email, if
there is enough interest we could create a mailing list of topic in
some forum.

This message is posted to several hardware developers, mailing lists
and Amiga-related forums.