These are products I thought were cool that I have seen, seen on the internet and it looked interesting, tried, recommend, or I think would come in handy in a pinch. This is by no means an exhaustive list.
Pretty much every product has pros and cons.
Specialty USB Cables
see the problems with the GUC1284B. you may have similar problems trying to clear errors on your model of IEEE-1284-to-USB cable.
TRENDnet TU-P1284 USB 1.1 to Parallel 1284 Converter, available at newegg $16
USB 1.1, like most USB-to-parallel adapters. works with Vista. No driver cd. just a cable. 12Mbps full speed, 1.5Mbps low speed. I have one, but have not tried it yet.
Fuji PLUS PL-220A USB 2.0 Bridge Cable/File Data Transfer - Retail, available at newegg, $15+$5
no wall adapter: bus-powered. 15MB/sec. this is a pc-to-pc USB 1.1/2.0 file transfer cable.
Koutech UCC221 USB 2.0 to IDE & SATA Converter - Retail, available from newegg $33+6
handles SATA II & eSATA. has wall adapter that powers the drive. works with 2.5", 3.5" drives. includes 44-pin adapter. Should work without need for the driver cd. complete kit. better than the Vantec adapter. If you are trying to work on a laptop drive or other drive and don't want to have to install it in your computer, this is the way to go.
usb 2.0 SCSI - Adaptec usb2xchange, available from usb-2-0 $90
short cable, so probably good idea to get a USB 2.0 extender cable too.
usb extension cables/extenders
Compucable MC-USB2-AB-03 CompuCable 3' USB 2.0 Extension Cable AM/AF, available at usb-2-0 $20
usb 2.0 extender cable, for those short devices we all know of!
Compucable MC-USB2-AB-06 CompuCable 6' USB 2.0 Extension Cable AM/AF, available at usb-2-0 $16
usb 2.0 extender cable, for those short devices we all know of!
Compucable MC-USB2-AB-10 CompuCable 10' USB 2.0 Extension Cable AM/AF, available at usb-2-0 $17
usb 2.0 extender cable, for those short devices we all know of!
Compucable MC-USB2-AB-15 CompuCable 15' USB 2.0 Extension Cable AM/AF, available at usb-2-0 $19
usb 2.0 extender cable, for those short devices we all know of!
13 port USB hub, available at cyberguys $50+10
USB 2.0 SuperBooster Transmitter Dongle, available from cablestogo
Compatible with any computer that supports USB 2.0.
USB 2.0 to Serial DB9 SuperBooster Wall Plate, available from cablestogo
Extend your serial signal up to 150 feet. Now you can place your serial devices exactly where you want them.
USB 2.0 SuperBooster Receivers, available from cablestogo
Choose 2-Port or 4-port dongle or the 2-port wall plate.
USB 2.0 Superbooster Transmitter Wall Plate, available from cablestogo
Delivers a clean, finished installation look.
USB 2.0 1m Extension cable, available at cablestogo $8+8
A male to A female Extender
USB 2.0 2m Extension cable, available at cablestogo $10+8
A male to A female Extender
USB 2.0 3m Extension cable, available at cablestogo $14+8
A male to A female Extender
USB 2.0 5m Active Extension cable, available at cablestogo $32+8
A male to A female Extender
standard usb 2.0 cables (A-B)
hint: get the longer one. This is for those of you who like to buy in bulk. cheaper than the stores who normally charge $25/cable.
Molex 2.7' USB Cable Assembly, available at mouser.com $3.62/1-9, $2.98/10-24
Molex 6.9' USB Cable Assembly, available at mouser.com $4.11/1-9, $3.78/10-24