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From: acoolidg@wpi.WPI.EDU (Aaron P Coolidge)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.ms
Subject: Re: MAC <==> PC file transfer
Message-ID: <1991Apr10.153325.26819@wpi.WPI.EDU>
Date: 10 Apr 91 15:33:25 GMT
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Lines: 36


	Hi. As far as I can see, there are four ways to get a Macintosh file 
to a PC. Some are easier than others, and some are expensive. In order of 
expense (I think):

1) Upload the file to a neutral computer (say, the UNIX box at work/school), 
and download it to the other computer. Very cheap if both the Mac and the PC
have a modem, but can be time consuming, espicaly for large files @2400 baud@!

2) Get a null modem cable. Could be kinda difficult for the Mac's serial port,
but I've seen 'em around. Works quite well, espicaly at higher baud rates.
This is what my roommate and I do (me, 386- him, MacPlus- no superDrive) to
use my LJIII. I made a null modem cable with about $15 worth of parts from
Radio Shack, you can probably buy one for a little more. If you want to make
one, drop me Email, and I'll send you the wiring diagram.

3) Get something called a Transcopy Option Board from Central Point Software.
Don't know if they make it anymore, but it allows PCs to write and read 
Macintosh format, GCR encoded disks. It's kinda slow, but it works well. It
can also copy "copy protected" disks (such as the key disks MicroProse is so
fond of supplying, always in the wrong format), which is why I'm not sure it's
still available. There was an older, XT version, which only copied between
360K disks, and a newer AT version, which copies between 360/720/1200/1440K
disks and the Mac GCR disks.

4) Get a MacII or better. It's "SuperDrive" can read and write IBM (MFM) format
1440K disks.

Good luck!

*** Now if someone could come up with something to let my PC read Amiga disks..

-- 
Aaron Coolidge
               acoolidg@wpi.wpi.edu    bitnet:sorry, use a gateway.
        "I'm always in control of my car.  Well, at least 70% of the time."