Re: Is it HARD to DRIVE?

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Gabriel Morales <Togega@concentric.net> wrote:

> O Aaland wrote:
> > 
> > You can use the Macs hard drive with AppleTalk and File Sharing just
> > like it was a drive directly connected to the GS. Be aware however that
> > some software may not like to be used over an AppleTalk system. If a
> > programer did not follow Apple's guidelines there could be problems.
> 
>       Guidelines? What guidelines?

Apple's programming guidelines for the Apple II, as espoused in various
technical notes and reference manuals.  For example, some of the ProDOS
technical notes cover issues for programs to ensure they will be
compatible with a file server.  This is more likely to be an issue for
ProDOS-8 programs.

> File sharing is pretty straightforward- The program just gets transmitted
> accross the wire instead of the drive connection.

The main problem under ProDOS-8 is with programs that insist on
referring to devices by unit number (or slot and drive).  Network
volumes do not have a unit number.

Another issue is with filenames.  GS/OS programs which assume ProDOS
naming conventions will have problems with AppleShare or HFS volumes.
ProDOS-8 programs have more problems: unless the file server hard drive
or shared folder (and all relevant subfolders and files) are named using
ProDOS-8 naming restrictions, then the files in question cannot be
accessed by ProDOS-8 programs on an Apple II client.

A third issue (with both GS/OS and ProDOS-8) is with programs that
bypass the file system calls and try to do block-level access to the
volume.  This is not permitted for file server volumes.  (Examples: Copy
II+, many functions in Prosel.)

> I don't see any problem here- except for the transmission being slow.

Yep, about the speed of a 3.5" floppy (assuming an otherwise unused
network).

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand