For a very cheap astronomical camera, I have just found an almost neat hack that works with many USB based webcams, but requires a line back to the parallel port of the PC to switch the "shutter" of the camera.

There are various USB enabled 8052 controllers available, including a "monitor controller" from Philips which might work, but I only need at most two switch bits (and a linux driver :-( ) and thats ALL.

Anyone any suggestions for a USB controller with FLASH on board ? I don't want OTP obviously.

Thanks

Steve