Re: Can a GS write a Mac floppy??

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Blake Patterson <bwpatter@bellatlantic.net> wrote:

> I have a need get some files to a Mac Plus.  I have an Apple IIgs w/ two
> 3.5" drives tied to my G4 via LocalTalk (can run AppleTalk under OS 9).
> I want to eventually get the Mac Plus going w/ the same LocalTalk 
> connection, but I need to get a TCP/IP control panel onto the Mac first.

You don't need a TCP/IP control panel to get AppleTalk working.  In
fact, the control panel called "TCP/IP" probably won't work at all on
the Mac Plus, as it is part of Open Transport.

I don't think Open Transport works on the Mac Plus, i.e. you have to use
classic networking.  If memory serves, even the earliest versions of
Open Transport require a 68020 (or better).

AppleTalk over LocalTalk with classic networking is supported by the
base system software - use the Chooser to turn it on.  To act as a
client for file sharing, you need the AppleShare client installed.  To
act as a server for file sharing, you must be running System 7.0 or
later with the appropriate extensions and the Sharing Setup control
panel.  There are versions of the AppleShare client which work on System
6.0.x, but probably not recent ones.

There is also the "Network" control panel, used to select between the
printer port and other network interfaces for AppleTalk.  The Mac Plus
doesn't have any alternative network connections available, so it isn't
relevant in this case.

As far as TCP/IP support is concerned, there is the older "MacTCP"
control panel, which will provide TCP/IP support under classic
networking.  I don't know what additional software you need to support
MacIP (TCP/IP encapsulated in AppleTalk over LocalTalk).

> If I copy the files to the IIgs, can it write out a Mac floppy?

Yes.  An 800K floppy formatted as HFS can be read and written by the
IIgs, as long as you have the HFS file system translator installed
(which you do, since you mentioned an HFS partition on your hard drive).

Assuming you are logged onto the G4 from the IIgs, you can insert an
HFS-formatted floppy and copy files directly from the server to the
floppy, using the GS/OS Finder.  All Mac-specific file details (type,
creator, etc.) will be preserved.  If you copy to a ProDOS volume as an
intermediate step, you might lose some information for well known file
types (e.g. a text file could change creator), but I doubt it.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz