I want to build a USB stepper controller, for the day my old two parallel port Dell "lets the magic smoke out".

I bought a POKeys 57U and started to read .. and read .. and read .. Then I looked at the physical size, specifically, the connector spacing , which doesn't allow for ferrules on the wires; a big deal for me. 

So I broke down and bought a cheap Chinese USB controller, because it just seemed easier.

And it WAS easier .. except that not everything works; the spindle control does nothing.  Best guess .. the board is bad.  (I know I know, stop the presses, cheap Chinese crap doesn't actually work.)

So I'm back to looking at the POKeys and wondering .. is it just me, or is the POKeys genuinely a PITA to set up and get working?