Re: IIc to PC transfers

["Paul Grammens" <grammens@svn.net>]

"Dean Petters" <dpetters@grc.nasa.gov> wrote in message
3E26DA26.8030200@grc.nasa.gov">news:3E26DA26.8030200@grc.nasa.gov...
> Last month i raised this issue and i'd like to thank Mike Pfeiffer for
> his response.   Even tho i've not acted on the suggestions yet, i did a
> little more research and found something that interests me due to it's
> simplicity...
>
> i did a google search on this and found a reference to hooking up a IIc
> to a Mac using the Imagewriter II printer cable.  Does this work?
>  (here's the snippet from the post by Paul Grammens on July 30th, 2002):
>
> "You can use a null-modem adapter to connect the IIc's modem cable to a
Mac
> modem cable. Or, if you have an Imagewriter II printer cable for your IIc,
> you can use that. Just connect the printer end to your Mac's serial port."
>
> ok... so that seems to be a very simple solution...  is it really this
simple?
>
> i have a Mac se/30 that i'd be hooking it up to.
>

Yes, you can do that. You'll need a comm program on each computer, such as
Zterm on the Mac and Agate on the IIc (both shareware, available in the
archives on the net). Start out with a slow bit rate, such as 2400 bps.
Once you get it working (type on one, the characters should appear on the
other) you can try higher speeds.   This will allow you to transfer files
back and forth between the two computers.  Unfortunately, the Mac forks the
files and changes the file type, so you'll need Unforkit or similar to fix
files tranferred over from the Mac.

For this reason, I prefer to use a PC to do this job. It just takes a
different cable.  Use an old AT-style PC keyboard cable, cut off the cable
and solder on a DB-9 or DB-25 connector to fit your PC (I use an old 486
laptop with a DB-9 serial port).   The AT keyboard connector is the same
type of DIN connector the IIc serial port uses, so it's just an easy to find
source of a free pre-wired connector.  Use a continuity connector to figure
out which wire goes to which pin, sketch out a diagram.

The SE/30 is a real nice way to work with a IIgs because it has the
SuperDrive floppy which can read/write ProDos, Mac, and PC disks.  It can
also make ProDos disks from images, which is very useful. GS/OS and
ShrinkitGS can also handle forked files with no problem.

So the SE/30 is great for working with a IIgs, a PC is better for working
with 8 bit Apples like the IIc.
-Paul