Question:
How do I Connect an Apple IIgs to a Mac?
Answer:
The best way to do this is to use the PhoneNet connector system considering
future expansion. They can be had for $9-$19 each from Pre-Owned Electronics,
Shreve Systems, Sun Remarketing, MacResQ, etc. These use standard two-pair
flat telephone cable with RJ-11 modular plugs... standard telephone extension
cable. Each connector usually comes with 6 feet of cable. In a pinch you can
use the standard mini DIN 8 Apple printer cable 590-0552 usually named Mac to
ImageWriter II; this will only allow two items to be connected.
Whichever cable system is in use, it will be connected to the printer port on
the Mac (AppleTalk is only served from there) and on the IIgs to whichever
port/slot is set to AppleTalk in the IIgs control panel, remembering that the
GS's printer port is "slot 1" and the modem port is "slot 2." I connected
mine to the GS's modem port via a mini DIN 8 A/B switch box so I could select
between the modem or the AppleTalk network without having to restart.
When the units are up and running, the Mac will need to have system 7's File
Sharing control panel turned on and its Users and Groups control panel set to
allow all privileges to guests (unless you want to control access and use
name/password protection-which adds a level of complexity that may confuse
more than help.) The items that you want to share from the Mac to the GS (a
CD or Zip) must be mounted on the Mac's desktop and have "Share this item and
its contents" turned on in the File>Sharing menu item.
On the GS you will have installed the Workstation software in the GSOS
Installer onto the boot volume and rebooted. You will open the AppleShare
control panel (under the Apple menu) and log onto the Mac as a guest (the
easiest way.) The Mac's HD will appear as an icon on the GS's desktop. To
avoid having to relog on each time, make an alias on the GS (apple-M) of the
Mac's HD image and put it somewhere handy. In the future, double-clicking on
the alias will log-on and mount the Mac's HD on the GS's desktop with no
further action required.
All network file activities will be initiated on the GS, since the GS will
not appear on the Mac's desktop. For simplicity, most folks create a folder
on the Mac called "To/From the GS," or something similar, into which all
files for transfer to/from the GS are put.
