Re: Mac to IBM

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Barry McQueen writes ...
> 
> Does anyone know how we could read and translate files created on an Apple
> Mac LC II, for use on an IBM Compatible PC to be read into MS Word 97 ?
> 
> If it can be done, can it be done on-site or would an external company or
> agency have to do it.  If so, does anyone know any companies in the UK that
> would do this ?
> 

     This is an Apple II newsgroup; so, I'm cross-posting this to a Mac
newsgroup which should be able to supply answers to Mac questions.

     Regarding your need to transfer files, a good method is to connect
via "NULL modem".
 
     To do NULL modem transfers, you will need a NULL modem connector.
Each computer needs a modem cable which can connect to the NULL modem.
(Typically, the modem cables end in standard DB-25 male plugs and the
NULL modem is two DB-25 female connectors back-to-back.) 

  ____________                                        ____________ 
 |     PC     |                                      |  Apple Mac |
 |  running a |                                      |  running a |
 |  telecom   | <--modem--> [NULL modem] <--modem--> |  telecom   |
 |  program   |    cable    [connector ]    cable    |  program   |
 |____________|                                      |____________|


    "NULL modem" means "no modem". A NULL modem connector is just a pair
of connectors wired 'back to back' with a few lines switched so that
each computer views the other pretty much as though it were a modem.
NULL modem connectors can be found at Radio Shack for a few dollars or
you can make your own. 

     If you're running under a current version of Windows, HyperTerm
works very nicely on the PC side. (For sending Text files from PC to
Apple under HT, be sure to uncheck "send line enders" in the ASCII
settings.)  If there is a choice of terminal emulations, it seems best
to stick with something simple, such as "TTY". A good NULL modemming
program for running under DOS is Telemate, commonly available as
shareware. Many other telecom programs are available and work fine under
current Windows, old Windows, and DOS. Similarly, there is a good
selection of Mac telecom wares.  

     To do transfers, you just connect the modem cable from each machine
to the NULL modem connector. If your PC or Mac has a spare COM port, the
connection can remain in place without disrupting normal net connections
through the other COM port.

     Set the same format (8-N-1) and baud rate on each telecom program.
(The format will, almost always, already be set to 8 bits-No parity-1
Stop bit.)  A good first-try speed setting is 9600 baud. Probably, the
Mac can connect with modern PC's running HyperTerm at 56k baud or
better.

     Place each program in terminal mode-- often, this is the default
mode. Or, the particular telecom program may have menu items or buttons
you select for specific kinds of transfers.

     Next, you will usually select the function (send or receive) on
each machine and the protocol. The protocol should be the same on both
machines. Z-modem is the best choice for most single or multiple file
transfers. (Text files can be an exception. A plain ASCII transfer will
circumvent most problems but is slower; and, you may need to send and
receive/capture files one-by-one instead of in batches.)

     Finally, you will select the file or files to send or "Open".

     Usually, it is best to start Receive on the target machine before
starting Send on the source machine. If you find that one telecom
program or the other does not give you enough time to start Send-- i.e.
it keeps "timing out"-- change the program's "Time Out",  "Inactivity
Delay", etc. setting.

Note: You don't need to manually tell most modern telecom programs to
receive a file each time you do a Z-modem transfer. Just make sure that
you have Auto Receives turned ON for the telecom programs. --Jeff
Blakeney

Note: Some telecom programs may expect an end-of-send signal which the
sending program does not supply.  Pressing CTRL-X or RETURN on the Apple
Mac or ESC on the PC often seems to work okay for terminating the Send.

 

Rubywand

Please delete references to comp.sys.apple2 in future installments of
this thread.