🚀 go-pugleaf

Roger J.Hamlett wrote useful information about types of parallel port:

It's worse than that! Some BIOSes give you the option of SPP 
(Standard Parallel Port), Bidirectional, EPP, ECP mode something 
(1.1?), ECP mode something else (1.3). And even SPP is capable of 
some degree of bidirectional operation (you can use it with input 
devices such as tape streamers).

My advice is to start with the most capable mode (the last as you 
cycle through the options in the BIOS). If using Windows, make sure 
Windows has set the port in the same way as the BIOS. If it doesn't 
work, set it to SPP and see if it works. If so, try more advanced 
options. 

Advantages of advanced types: are faster for some purposes (only if 
speed is limited by data transfer, rather then the peripheral 
itself). Often let peripherals report information to the computer 
("printer out of ink").

Disadvantages: if using an advanced port with a printer cable that 
doesn't have all 25 lines connected (many old cables; some new, cheap 
cables), the printer may not work properly. Some peripherals have 
problems.

Best wishes,
-- 
Michael Salem