How do I connect non-USB HP Laserjet to G4?

[nkbwick]

I can't dump another perfectly good printer simply because it's connection is outdated. I have a friend with a great HP Laserjet 5MP connected via localtalk to an older (now dead) Powermac. We want to somehow connect the Laserjet to his G4. There are 2 other ports on the printer labeled IEEE1284B and IEEE1284B with what looks like older style centronics type connectors. Is there any way one of these ports could interface with a USB port on the G4 simply with an adapter? There is also an IR port on the printer. I am also wondering if there is an external IR USB peripheral option for the G4 that could possibly access the printer's IR port more practically. I just don't want to suggest dumping a perfectly reliable printer for a USB printer when a workaround may exist.
He is currently running OS 9.1 on the G4.

 

[gsahli]

The best choice is to buy a parallel print server - would make the printer compatible for years to come.

Second choice is to buy a USB-parallel adapter cable. Only a few brands work with OS X, because most require a driver but don't have a driver for OS X. Belkin works/doesn't require a driver.

Last choice - an ethernet-localtalk adapter. Last choice because Apple is phasing appletalk out.

 

[MisterMe]

You may consider an external print server. IEEE 1284B is a parallel port. Use a parallel printer cable to connect your printer to the print server. Connect the print server to your router or directly to your computer via Ethernet or USB. You don't say whether or not your printer has an Ethernet port. If it does, then connect your printer to a router or directly to your computer via Ethernet. If you have a router with a parallel port, you can also connect to the router via parallel cable. You can also use an Ethernet-to-LocalTalk bridge. The fact is Apple is deemphasizing AppleTalk has no impact on your ability to communicate with your printer via AppleTalk. AppleTalk in MacOS X works well.