Yes I agree with the last post - no difference between USB (usb to parallel) control and parallel port control which also allows DSLR shutter control.
The pins on the HEQ5's RJ12 connector indicate that it is ST4 compatible which means that it needs 4 sepatate signals (Dec-up/Dec-dn and Ra-up/Ra-dn) to autoguide with. This implies that it is a parallel connection so you may autoguide using the parallel port (via a protective relay box by Shoestring or home made etc). The USB interface (Shoestring's) is a USB to Parallel converter that installs as a "human Interface Device". One may also use a USB to Parallel interface - NOT the Dick Smith's variety. The commonly available "USB to Parallel converters" ($ 39)are DO NOT provide a parallel port (IEEE 1284 standard) but a PRINTER port only which is not what you want here. For a laptop the only one that that I know that is fully IEEE 1284 compliant is the "QUATECH SPP-100" pcmcia card:
http://www.quatech.com/catalog/parallel_pcmcia.php
These cards are somewhat expensive but they definitely work unlike other cheaper versions that somewhat work!!
Jerry.
