Re: How to make data useful?

[ddkilzer@iastate.edu (David D Kilzer)]

[Note follow-ups to: comp.sys.apple2]

ning tao <t-ning@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> writes:

>        I am a graduate student at UIUC, and I met a problem in my project.
>The raw data disks originally sent to me were written in the format of
>Apple II, so I could not read it in.  Could you please tell me how I can
>make these disks readable by PC using some disk conversion program or other
>solutions, such as use a modem attached to the Apple and transfer the data on
>the disks to the network.

If the disks are 3.5" floppies, then take them to any Macintosh computer
(SE/30, Mac II series, or newer).  If the Mac is running less than
System 7.5 and does not have the PC Exchange installed, use the Apple
File Exchange (AFE) to convert the files to the Macintosh hard drive,
then use it again to transfer the files to a PC-formatted disk.

If the files are plain text files, be sure to select ``Use Text
Translation'' in the ProDOS->Mac and Mac->PC menus.  If they're
AppleWorks files, there is an AppleWorks-to-Microsoft-Works translator
for the AFE (see info-mac or umich archive nearest you).  If they are
BASIC files, you'll need to find an Apple // computer to translate the
BASIC code to text.

If the Macintosh has System 7.5 running OR has PC Exchange installed,
you can just insert the floppy into the Mac and it will automagically be
mounted as a ProDOS volume on the Mac.  Drag the files you want to the
Mac's hard drive (to copy them), eject the disk, insert a PC disk (yes,
those mount, too), and then drag the files from the Mac's hard drive to
the PC disk.  Note that this method does NOT, AFAIK, do any LF/CR
translation.  You'll have to use something like Tickle (from
ftp://ftp.apple.com/pub/) or another PC application for that.

If they are AppleWorks files AND MacLinkPlus is installed on the Mac
(it's free with System 7.5) you can double-click on the AW files and
MacLinkPlus will translate them to a more compatible format (i.e. MS
Word).  Again, if they're BASIC files, you'll need an original Apple //
to translate them to text.

Finding an Apple // may not be as hard as you think--just post a message
to a local newsgroup or ask around.  You might also ask at your local
Mac User's Group meeting, but be discreet.  ;^)

Dave
-- 
David D. Kilzer               \         ``I do not fear computers.
ddkilzer@iastate.edu          /           I fear the lack of them.''
Computer Engineer 4           \  
Iowa State University, Ames   /               -- Isaac Asimov