Xref: utzoo comp.sys.ibm.pc:24257 comp.sys.mac:26255
Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ukma!husc6!stech!sysop
From: sysop@stech.UUCP (Jan Harrington)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc,comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Mac to IBM File Transfers
Message-ID: <703@stech.UUCP>
Date: 6 Feb 89 14:43:38 GMT
References: <962@novavax.UUCP>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Scholastech, Inc., Waltham, Mass.
Lines: 57

in article <962@novavax.UUCP>, maddoxt@novavax.UUCP (Thomas Maddox) says:
> 
> 
> 	Though I have been an IBM-compatible user, I soon will have
> routine access to a Mac+ and a Mac SE at work.  I would very much like
> to transfer files between the Mac(s) and my IBM-compatibles at home.
> 
> 	Specifically, I use WordPerfect 5.0 at home on a Leading Edge
> D and a Zenith SuperSport (someone else paid for it; I'm not that
> flush), and I transfer files between them using Brooklyn Bridge.  
> 
> 	I know I will have Microsoft Word for the Mac at school; maybe
> WordPerfect for the Mac (though I'd bet not).
> 
> 	So, is there any easy or relatively easy or moderately
> difficult way to transfer files among these machines?  Is there any
> hope at all that I could create ASCII files on the Mac and read them
> on the IBM-compatibles and vice-versa.  
> 
> 	In short, I want to be able to write in one environment, take
> the files to the other, and continue working on them.  My immediate
> concern is most definitely word processing files; other kinds, later.
> 

There are really two issues here - physically transfering a file from 
one disk format to another and the file format itself. In terms of file
formats, the easiest solution is to use a word processor found on both
machines, either Word or WordPerfect. The files will then be
compatible and you won't lose your formatting. ASCII files can be read
by either machine. The drawback is that word processing formatting is
lost.

The physical transfer can be done in a number of ways. The cheapest
solution is to physically connect the two machines using a product
like LapLink, that provides cables and software. Other, costlier
solutions include a DaynaFile, a Macintosh SCSI device that contains
one or two MS-DOS disk drives and then mounts them like Macintosh 
volumes. The DaynaFile runs between $500 and $1000; it's a simple,
elegant solution. However LapLink runs about $139 and isn't difficult
to use. The problem is that the two machines have to be physically
close to each other.

If you have telecommunications on both machines, files can also be
transfered by modem over the telephone lines.

Hope this helps.

Jan Harrington, sysop
Scholastech Telecommunications
UUCP: husc6!stech!sysop or allegra!stech!sysop

********************************************************************************
	Miscellaneous profundity:

		"No matter where you go, there you are."
				Buckaroo Banzai
********************************************************************************