Re: Q: AppleTalk GS to MacSE

[pubpc1@library.ucla.edu]

shack@deimos.frii.com (Randy Shackelford) wrote:
>In article <199706220052471544976@dempson.actrix.gen.nz>,
>David Empson <dempson@actrix.gen.nz> wrote:
>
>[snip]
>
>>> GS printer port -->appletalk<--MacSE modem port
>>
>>You cannot connect AppleTalk to the Mac SE modem port, unless you are
>>running Open Transport on the Mac.  "Classic" network only allows
>>AppleTalk to be connected to the printer port.
>
>I can't verify myself that OT runs on 68000 Macs since I quit using 68000
>boxes for real work before OT came out. But assuming it does, that would work.
>Even easier would be connecting the printer to the modem port since the driver
>software will use either port. Unsolicited comment: it makes approximately
>zero sense to me to have a modem on a IIgs instead of a Mac with the two
>boxes networked, considering how Macs have TCP connectivity, handle fast
>modems more easily, and comm software available for Macs is much better than
>that for IIs. I don't bother keeping a modem connected to my IIgs any more 
>since I can FTP files with Fetch then file share 'em over.
>-- 
>Randy Shackelford                                 
>shack@frii.com                                    

It depends on your particular IIgs and your particular Mac.  Take
my case: I have a 13.75MHz GS and a 25MHz PC.  The PC has TCP
connectivity, but it is very slow.  Because the GS is fast, it
handles 33.6 modems great.  Also, downloading files directly to
the GS is much easier than sneakernetting them over from the PC
(yes, I have an FDHD).  I have to use Netscape on the PC for web
browsing, though, even though it is slow.  If I ever get SIS on
the GS, I'd bet it will be faster.  The Mac SE is a slow Mac, so
the modem may serve an accelerated GS better.  BTW, I have done
tests that I posted several months ago showing that at 9MHz, a
GS is faster at most tasks than a 16MHz Mac LC.

The solution?  I have the best of both worlds by using a serial
switchbox which you can get for $10 (the rotary dial type) and
share the modem between the two computers.

-Scott G.