Re: Superdrive Controllers $59

[pubpc1@library.ucla.edu]

B.J. Major wrote:
> 
> David Empson <dempson@actrix.gen.nz> wrote:
> 
> > [Note: I'm taking this thread back to comp.sys.apple2, as it is no
> > longer relevant to the marketplace group.]
> >
> > B.J. Major <bjblackbear@ibm.net> wrote:
> >
> > > Shawn Beattie <sbeattie@sparc5.augustana.edu> wrote:
> > >
> > > > On 26 Dec 1997 17:09 -0500, spec@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)
> > > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >    I only have one Apple II 3.5 Disk Controller Card, and
> > > > > considering how incredibly rare they've become (and valuable
> > > > > as a "bridge" between my Apple II and PC)
> > >
> > > A bridge???  Don't think so.  More misinformation being spread here.
> > > Although a IIgs with a Superdrive Controller card and a Mac can read HD
> > > (or DD) MS-DOS formatted disks with no problem, PC's *can't* read Apple
> > > II 3.5 High Density (or Double Density) ProDOS formatted disks.  It's
> > > not in their OS to do so.  Heck, they can't even recognize/read Mac
> > > disks without installing a special program (like Mac Access or Mac See)
> > > first.
> >
> > I recall hearing about an equivalent program to do this with ProDOS high
> > density disks, but don't remember the details.  It is of no interest to
> > me, as I have plenty of other options, so I haven't investigated
> > further.
> >
> > Even if this wasn't available, a "bridge" is still quite a valid
> > description, because you can copy files TO an MS-DOS disk using a
> > SuperDrive card and SuperDrive with the right software (or with a PC
> > Transporter card, for example).
> 
> David, I *already knew* about the copying TO an MS-DOS disk using the
> Superdrive on a IIgs (see my original statements above); the point in
> question was whether IBM PCs could read ProDOS formatted disks at all.
> I was not aware that there was a separate program available that enabled
> them to do this (mentioned by another poster in this thread).

B.J., you are mistaken.  My PC can read my Apple IIGS high density
ProDOS 3.5" 1.44MB diskettes just fine using a PC program called
ProCopy.  This program is the equivalent for the ProDOS file system
of MacSee et al for the HFS filesystem.  With ProCopy, you can read
ProDOS disk based files with any PC.

Second, if you install the HFS FST, your GS can format and save
as well as read off of HFS disks, both 800K and 1.44MB.  Using
nothing more than the HFS FST and MacSee et al on the PC side,
you have your bridge.  By the way, other than for booting, GS/OS
does not have a default filesystem.  HFS is on the same level as
ProDOS to GS/OS so files on either are equivalent from the user's
point of view.  I use HFS formatted disks and hard drive partitions
all the time.  The fact that GS/OS can't boot without the ProDOS
FST demonstrates this same levelness.

Thirdly, I just want to point out that you don't need a SuperDrive
and SuperDrive controller to format these PC compatible 1.44MB disks.
BlueDisk and a PC drive would work too.  Also, you can have an
AE 1.44MB drive (but not the 1.6MB one) and a SuperDrive controller
and that'll work too.  An AMR 1.44MB floppy drive and the controller
would work too.

I myself have a SuperDrive controller with an AE FDHD 1.44MB drive
and I sometimes use the 1.44MB floppy as a shuttle to store and
answer usenet messages.  :)  (The AE drive costed less than half
of a genuine Apple SuperDrive!)

-Scott G.