From: parkyn@fraser.sfu.ca (Dale Parkyn)
Subject: Re: Experience with SoftPC, MacPlus, System 7?
Organization: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 16:44:26 GMT

(Use of SoftPC on Plus with 20MB HD)

What specifically needs to be done in a manner compatible with IBM compatibles?

If compatibility between Lotus 1-2-3 and Excel (Mac) there is a great deal of
interchangablility of worksheets. Excel v3.0 saves (and reads presumably) WKS,
WK1 and WK3 files. The main problem is to get the file on the appropriate disk.
Using AE (Applied Engineering) Plus Drive ($300) (MacZone #04956) should give
you a 3.5" floppy drive that will use high-density, 800KB density Mac and PC
disk formats.

If the main use is word processing then files are a little less mobile.
Microsoft's Word exists for DOS, Windows and Mac and files are reasonably
interchangeable if you can get it on the disk. Word for Windows interprets
Mac file from a DOS formatted disk for example.
If different WP products are in use on the two machines use a file translator
utility. 

For example, MacLinkPlus (or PCLinkPlus) or LapLink type products. One of these
permits the direct connection via cable between a Mac and a IBM comp. machine.
THE MAIN POINT is that these products will take a document from a large variety
of programmes and translate it to one for you favorite program. 
Examples:

For WP - WordPerfect 4.2,5,5.1,Mac; Word 3,4,5; MultiMate;Prof. Write; 
          XYWrite III; OfficeWriter; WordStar...

For SS - Lotus, Excel, MultiMate...

For graphics Mac, PCX...

Probably overKill for your needs but I found this type of conversion utility
very useful on occasion.

Summary:

 Software may exist, in the appropriate versions, for IBM compatibles and Mac.
   This will likely allow the highest level of interchangeablility of files.
   Something on one machine may not be in the other machines program, though
   the vast majority of basic, intermediate and advanced features will be.

 If the same software is not used on both machines then there may be built-in
   conversion capabilities. Check for specific listing in manual, showing
   features that are/are not converted. Again, most basic and inter. will be.

 If the same software is not used on both machines and there is no built-in
   conversion capability for your file types, use a conversion utility such as
   MacLinkPlus. You can get a version that just does the file translations or
   a version that does the communication between machines as well as the 
   translations. Be sure to determine how to get updates for the conversion
   modules, software improves occasionally.

 Files must be on the appropriate disk of course. AE Plus drive ($300) should
   allow your Plus to read/write double sided (800KB) and HD disks in both
   Mac and IBM formats. 
   You can directly connect two machines, I have little experience here.
   You could possibly allow an IBM style HD drive to work with MAC disks.
     I don't recall the maker of the adapter board. ANYONE ELSE KNOW?

 The performance of SOFTPC on a PLUS did not impress me favourably. Nor did
   it when used on Mac II machines. I think it gives the performance of a
   '286 CPU compatibility. (the figure of 4 MHz or less for perforamnce has
   stuck in my mind - no idea why.)

 Conclusion:
   From personal experience I recommend using software from the same 
     manufacturer on the two machines. (MS WORD - Mac, Windows, DOS versions
     in my case.) FIRST CHOICE

   Use file translation with the nifty AE Plus HD floppy drive. Don't forget
     that your Mac can use Apple File exchange program if you can locate 
     appropriate modules for you files. MacLinkPlus works for me. SECOND CHOICE

   Don't ignore this option -

      Buy another computer. '386 with 80MB HD and colour, 33MHz are surprisingly
       affordable if true compatibility is mandatory. PERFORMANCE is good.

      Compare the cost of the software times the aggravation factor for slow
       performance * the (Make my Mac act like DOS) factor...
 
      It probably comes down to Money vs Aggravation... It may be better to
       spend more for translators or another machine than to suffer.


  Final WORDS:

      You must try the SOFTPC on a PLUS with real documents for some time.
      Make not of how long it is before noticeable aggravation sets in!


  Enough from me

 Dale
parkyn@sfu.ca
 
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.apps