Re: Converting Apple II files to Mac

["Roger Johnstone" <bhmhome@es.co.nz>]

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In article <7o58o4$7af@enews2.newsguy.com>, joreilly@smtp.dorsai.org (James
OReilly) wrote:


>I hate to mention this subject, as I am using my Apple IIgs as my main
>computer.  However, I have been asked by someone who has acquired a Mac 
>Centris 610 whether he could run his favorite Apple IIgs programs on his 
>Mac.  I explained to him that the Mac is incompatible with the Apple II
>and that he could not run any Apple II programs on his Mac.  I have not
>mentioned the Apple IIgs emulator, Bernie ][ to Rescue, as he does not
>have a power Mac.
>
>I understand however that he could convert Apple II files using Apple File
>Exchange, which comes with the earlier versions of the Mac OS.  Later
>versions come with PC File Exchange.  I have heard conflicting opinions
>about whether one can convert Apple II files using PC Exchange.  With
>which version did the Mac OS change from AFE to PCFE?  Will PCFE convert
>Apple II files?


Yes. I only have any experience with Mac OS 8.1. It includes a control panel
called PC Exchange. It is this which allows the Mac to read, write and
format both ProDOS and MS-DOS formatted disks. I believe earlier versions
did the same thing, but they may not have been as transparent. With 8.1 you
can just insert a ProDOS disk and the Mac will access it like any other
disk.


>I have also heard that Claris Works could read Apple Works files and
>convert them to its own format.  Can it also convert other Apple II files?
>Was that true only of the earlier versions of Claris Works?  I know that
>Apple has confused things by renaming Claris Works as Apple Works.  When I
>say Apple Works in this discussion I mean Apple II Apple Works.


ClarisWorks 5 has import filters for AppleWorks word processor, database and
spreadsheet files. I don't know what versions of AppleWorks it supports, I
doubt anything past 3.0. It also has an import for AppleWorks GS. I've never
tried this, I don't know if it is just for the word processor or for any
AWGS module. It also has an export filter for saving a word processor file
in AppleWorks 2.0 format.


>Another difficulty occurs in that the Apple II uses DS/DD (double-sided,
>double density) floppy disks and drives, rather than the DS/HD
>(double-sided, high density) floppies the later Macs use.  Of course, the
>Mac uses only 3.5" floppies.  Do earlier Macs read both DS/DD disks and
>DS/HD disks?  Is this a function of the Mac hardware (i.e. earlier models
>of the Mac), or of the OS version?  Would one have to find a Mac which can
>read both kinds of disks?  In other words, how can one convert data
>written on a DS/DD Apple II disk so that it can be read by a Mac which
>reads only DS/HD drives?


The Apple high density floppy drives (included with all Macs after about
1989, including the Centris) can read double density 720KB PC, 800KB Apple
and 1.44MB Apple/PC formats. With the right controller card you can also add
one of these drives to a IIgs, but the vast majority of IIgs drives are
800KB only. The problem is with the latest floppyless Macs. All of the third
party drives available so far (and probably ever) can do 720KB PC or 1.44MB
Apple/PC formats only.


>I suppose one could always upload Apple II files as text to a Mac where it
>would be reconverted to Mac text.
>
>I would appreciate any comments anyone might offer.  I know people have
>solved this problem but I don't use a Mac so I don't know the answers.
>
>    Jim O'Reilly
>