Simulation of parallel port but without a parallel port

You can try to make this USB2LPT adapter.

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Added by RMc:

@xsari3x - This is capable of being a purely software solution if desired.

His english page here notes

• "Contrary to all other USB→Parallel adapters which can connect to printers only, this makes connection to most hardware - without adapting the software! A parallel port will be virtualized by the accompanying driver. "

As he provides the driver source code via this page you will be able to bypass the hardware by modifying the source code.