Re: WinMac Digest #158 - 12/04/98

John W. McCarthy(jwmcmac[at]flash.net)
Fri, 04 Dec 1998 09:25:26 -0600

Caerwyn,

Surely this is too simplistic a response to the cross platform transfer
of files, but . . .

have you considered getting a copy of "MacLinkPlus" on the Mac Servers
(or even for the Mac clients) and getting a copy of "ConversionsPlus" on
the PC Clients/Server.

If properly installed, the programs work seemlessly/flawlessly to open
and convert almost any document back and forth between the platforms or
between almost all of the different word processor, spread-sheet,
database formats.

If you purchase the Subscription, you get the next two updates at no
additional charge.

This solution may not solve every problem of file transfer, but I think
it will solve the majority.

God Bless.

Pat Kelly McCarthy

>
> Subject:
> Re: [WINMAC] AppleShare IP 5.x vs 6.x
> Date:
> Fri, 4 Dec 1998 10:13:27 +0100
> From:
> caerwyn <caerwyn@bigfoot.com>
>
>
>
> Parker, Douglas said:
>
> >
> > * Create folders for Windows users and tell them to store
> >their files in them. Windows uses can damage Macintosh files (especially
> >applications) by opening or moving them. Keeping the two types of files in
> >separate folders minimizes accidental damage.
> >
> > * If Macintosh and Windows users need to share files, tell
> >them to copy those files to their own computer, modify them if necessary,
> >and save them on the Web & File Server under another name. They should not
> >change the original file. Although many files can be opened by application s
> >other than those that were used to create them, using a different
> >application to make changes can permanently damage a file.
> >
> >Does AS6.x fix the limitations on opening, moving, and saving cross-platform
> >documents from the WIN side?
> >
>
> Firstly I have to say that I have limited experience with both of the
> ASIP servers, but I do transfer files alot from Mac to PC and vice versa.
>
> Sounds as though it's exceptionally badly worded to me, rather than a
> problem with the software. Damage is the wrong word, changing the format
> of the file to make it unreadable, would be more accurate. It amounts to
> the same but it's nearer the truth.
>
> Forget about servers for a minute, if you upgrade and Excel spreadsheet
> to be used by the latest software or another package, you quite often get
> a dialog which says you will not be able to open this spreadsheet in
> Excel x after you have converted. It's more like that.
>
> I can't see that they can fix it! It's one of the problems of working
> inter platform. It wouldn't make any difference if you were using NT
> Server or a floppy disk the problem would be the same. What exactly are
> you referring to as "cross-platform documents".
>
> You may be alright at the moment if you use Office 98 on the Mac and
> Office 97 on the PC. According to Microsoft, they supposedly use the same
> file format on both platforms. However the reality is there will be
> niggling differences due to the way diacritical and currency characters
> are stored.
>
> I think it's good advice, use the server as a means to move files from
> one platform to the other, but unless your sure the files on both
> platforms use the same file format be wary. FileMaker, I believe does,
> Adobe Acrobat should, MSOffice, if you pick the right versions can. Ask
> the manufacturer if the files are portable across platforms, then try
> it. Limit the damage! Always backup. Always make a copy first, at least
> before you have confidence in the software.
>

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This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b2 on Sun Dec 20 1998 - 15:58:56 PST