Re: downloading to Mac

[pubpc1@library.ucla.edu]

g7and7@aol.com (G 7and7) wrote:
>I'm not sure that this is the place to ask this question, but maybe
>someone can help.  I am currently a sixth grade teacher who is moving to
>first grade.  In the process of moving, I will lose my Macintosh 5300
>machines.  Instead, I will have three Apple IIgs machines.  I am wondering
>if and how I can download files to the Performa I have at home to be used
>on the Apple IIgs at school.  What programs do I need?  Any replies may be
>sent g7and7@aol.com.  Please respond quickly, I planning the new year.
>
>Thanks,
>Gina

cc: g7and7@aol.com

Gina, yes you can download files to your Performa and use them on
your Apple IIgs machines.  First, you need to make sure you have
GS/OS System 6.0 or later and 1MB or more of memory installed in
your IIgs machines.  Next, you need to make sure that you have the
HFS FST (filesystem translator that lets the GS read Macintosh disks)
installed on the GS.  You can install the HFS FST by running the
"Install" disk of the 6 disk set of GS/OS master disks and selecting
"Customize Install" and then selecting the option to install the
HFS FST.

The next step is to make sure you have several important GS programs
that deal with files placed on the net.  The first is GSHK.  This
program is to the GS like Stuff-It is to the Mac.  It uncompresses
disk archives.  The second program is GSCII+.  GSCII+ translates
binary archives to ASCII form and back.  GSCII+ is to the GS like
BinHex or MIME is to the Mac.

Once you have the requisite GS software, you can then download the
program archives to your Performa.  Copy the dowloaded programs to
a Macintosh formatted 800K disk.  It must be 800K since, unless your
GS happens to have a high density floppy drive, the 3.5" drives on
a GS won't read and write 1.44MB disks.

Take the 800K disk from your Mac and stuff it into your GS's drive.
Run GSCII+ and decode the file.  You will get an archive as an
output file.  You can uncompress this archive with GSHK to get the
program files.  That's all there is to it.  To run your new GS
software just double-click on the program icon from the GS Finder.

If you need to get the software, check out the web site of Shareware
Solutions II (http://www.crl.com/~joko/).  This is an organization
created by Joe Kohn.  He carries various disks that can be ordered
for practically the price of postage and handling.  You can get
GSHK and GSCII+ from here, as well as the System 6.0.1 six disk set
containing the GS/OS operating system.  The six disk operating system
set can also be had from Apple's ftp site in a form that can be
extracted on a Macintosh, I believe (but I don't remember the URL).

The GS also uses the same ADB keyboards and mice as the Mac and the
same modem cables and modems, so the other way to handle things may
be to just unplug your modem from the Mac and plug it into your GS
modem port and download the software directly to it.  You'll just
need a terminal program if you want to do this.  Check out ProTERM
at http://www.intrec.com/ which is a software that can do VT100
and Zmodem.  If your GS machines have enough memory, you may also
want to check out Spectrum at http://www.sevenhills.com/ which
also doubles as a Netscape-like web browser with the Spectum Internet
Suite (SIS) addon. You'll want a 14.4 or faster modem if you want to
try the web browser.

-Scott G.