Re: IIGS + PowerMac via AppleTalk

[99charsh@ultrix.uor.edu (R. Christopher Harshman)]

>1.  Can it work?

Yes.

>2.  Can I use PhoneNet for the connections ($15 for connectors vs $50 for 
>AppleTalk connectors)?

Yes.

>3.  Will I be able to use the PowerMac to do stuff, or will it just sit 
>there being a server?  Maybe have one partition on the PowerMac's HD 
>serve as the AppleShare volume, while the rest is used by the PowerMac 
>(ignorance of Mac's showing here)?

The MacOS ever since System 6.0.x (and certainly with 7.x; the PowerMac 
line is running 7.5) is multi-tasking.  AppleShare and whatnot can all 
run in the background while you use the Macintosh.  You might notice some 
slow-down on network-intensive tasks, and the file sharing software will 
suck down roughly 1.5 MB of your RAM, but it's certainly do-able.  On a 
PowerMac especially, you shouldn't have any problems.  I'm using a 
6100/66 with the 16/500 configuration connected to my IIgs and an old AT 
(using an ISA AppleTalk card).

>4.  I had originally thought I could leave my IW II hooked to the GS, 
>with a StyleWriter (or like printer) hooked to the PowerMac, then print 
>to either printer from the PowerMac.  But the AppleTalk/PhoneNet 
>connector apparantly hooks either to the printer port or to the modem 
>port, both of which are in use on the GS.  Anybody know of a way to have 
>the printers hooked up as I had originally thought?  Will I have to hook 
>both printers up to the PowerMac to be able to use them?

A lot of the StyleWriter-family printers have built-in AppleTalk, as do 
all the Hewlett-Packard DeskWiter series (save a few of the original 
model).  For the ImageWriter you'll need an AppleTalk kit that hooks into 
the printer itself.  Then, you'll use a PhoneNet connector for each of 
the computers, and both of the printers, and link them together.

>5.  Can I print from my GS to the PowerMac using a printer attached to 
>the PowerMac without having a GS specific print driver for that printer?  
>In other words, I want to print to the StyleWriter 2400 on the PowerMac 
>from the GS, but I'm pretty sure that no print driver exists for the 2400 
>on a GS.

No, sorry.  The only StyleWriter driver available is for the original 
version.  You might try the Harmonie drivers and look into a 
Hewlett-Packard DeskWriter 660C or such (for the same price as the 
2400).  I know the DeskWriter 550C will work in that sort of a situation; 
I'm using one now.


Hope it helps!  


-Chris
 An Apple II user gone Macintosh