Question:
If I bought a current generation iMac, is there a way to use
AppleWorks 5.1 disks (3.5") or to transfer files between a IIGS and an iMac?
Answer:
Some initial thoughts:
The goal would be to get the AWKS 5.1 files onto the iMac in a usable form,
and that process can be fairly simple if access to a Mac with a built-in
floppy drive is available. That drive could read both DD & HD diskettes. The
iMac would need to have a USB floppy or super drive attached (approximately
$89.00 - $149.00) which could read HD diskettes. The other Mac would be used
to take files off the DD diskettes and put them on HD ones.
The files that come from the IIgs should be in a form that most Mac programs
can read without need for translators, so the text file is the best candidate
here. Tab-delimited text files can be opened in spreadsheets and databases.
Don't expect formulas to transfer.
Other solutions:
**Deja ][ - I'm not sure about it working with the newer flavors of iMacs or
Mac OS, but a USB floppy drive and access to another Mac with built-in floppy
drive would still be required to get the files on DD diskettes onto HD ones
unless the networking option (below) is in effect.
**Bernie ][ the Rescue - download it onto the iMac, and use all your IIgs
stuff. The need for another Mac and a USB floppy still applies, though,
unless the networking option (below) is in effect.
**Network the IIgs to the iMac and transfer everything over the network to
the iMac. This will require a LocalTalk (LT) to Ethernet (EN) bridge (about
$149.00), two LT connector kits (about $19.00 ea.) for use between the IIgs
and the bridge, and EN cabling between the bridge and the iMac. I donāt
recall if you also need a small, powered EN hub between the bridge and the
iMac to provide the "EN available" signal to the iMac when it starts up, or
whether that signal is generated by the bridge and doesn't require a hub.
The IIgs will have AppleTalk set to one of its ports, the iMac will have File
Sharing turned on, and the IIgs will log on to the iMac and drag files from
its desktop to the iMac "server". This works best when the IIgs is started
from a hard drive and has all the "workstation" files installed to do the
networking "thing". It's impossible to configure an 800k DD startup diskette
to do this. A USB floppy drive would not be required in this case.
The prices estimated above are representative of full retail. Deals can be
had at used dealers, e-bay, etc.
