Compatibility is a word that is unfortunately used with subtle differences in meaning in a variety of circumstances. E.g. software programs are compatible if they can use files in the same data formats (e.g. files from MS-Word Mac being openable i n MS-Word Windows and vice versa; or use of MS-Excel files in a database. It can also refer to hardware in that the hardware can run the same executable programs as an IBM PC. There has arisen some confusion over the DOS capabilities of Apple Macintosh Power PCs. -- while the source of the confusion is not entirely clear, this brief overview should help clear up any misconceptions.

Reading and Formatting DOS Diskettes

Any Macintosh with System 7.1 or later can read as well as format a DOS diskette. This is accomplished with software called PC Exchange that is part of the operating system. Before PC Exchange, Macintosh users had to use a useful, albeit clu msy piece of software called Apple File Exchange. With PC Exchange the user only needs to insert their disk into the diskette drive. If it's unformatted, there is the choice of formatting it as a DOS or Mac diskette. If the disk is already formatted as a DOS diskette, the icon for the diskette will show up on the screen with the letters PC. It is also possible to read data files from DOS CD-ROMs with PC Exchange.

Import/Export Filters

Many software programs have import/export filters that allow for saving a file as a DOS/Windows version (e.g. saving a MS-Word Mac file as an MS-Word Windows file while preserving all of the original formatting; ClarisWorks has an excellent set of such filters and MS-Word and WordPerfect also provide filters but there are fewer options. [Check the documentation with software to see what filters are available]. MS-Excel allows the user to save files in a .wks format which can be opened in Lotus 1-2-3 and vice versa.

Translation Software

The DataViz company makes an excellent file translation package called MacLink Plus for the Mac side and Conversions Plus for Windows which allows users to view and format any high density Mac disk in a PC. The latest version, 8.0, ca n convert virtually every major word processing format on both Macs and Intel-standard PCs as well as the most common PC graphics formats and may database and spreadsheet formats.

The PowerPC RISC Processor

The Macintosh PowerPCs (PPC) use what is called the PowerPC(TM) processor that was a development project between Apple, IBM and Motorola. The PPC is a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processor that allows it to run much faster since the number of instructions required for the operating system to communicate with the computer are significantly reduced. The fact that the Mac is called a PowerPC does not mean that it will run DOS or Windows software right out of the box. Part of the confusion of thi s might be due to the fact that the term PC has been used to stand for personal computer and also used to mean DOS-compatible computer as opposed to a Mac. The IBM corporation will be releasing computers with the PowerPC processor as well and they will not run Mac software.

Emulation of DOS/Windows with SoftWindows

Insignia Solutions has released a software emulation package called SoftWindows. Insignia Solutions has a DOS emulation package on the market before the advent of the PPC called SoftPC. This software was rather slow and it was for DOS instea d of a Windows environment. However, this software was rewritten to take advantage of the faster processor on the PPC. However, SoftWindows requires a minimum of 9MB of memory. In the PPC memory chips (SIMMs) must be installed in pairs of the same size and speed (e.g. when one 4MB SIMM is put in, another 4MB SIMM must also be installed) so the minimum amount of mem ory for a PPC to use SoftWindows will be 16MB.

Insignia Solutions has also released a version of SoftWindows for the 68040 generation of processors in all of the Quadra/Centris models, the Performa, LC475/476, and the 500 series of PowerBook models. However there is a memory cost of 8 MB minimu m, 12 MB minimum with System 7.5. Realistically, 16 MB is recommended. Also 23 MB of disk space is required.

UM faculty, staff and students can purchase SoftWindows from Photo & Campus Services for around $200 and the additional 8MB of memory (2-4MB SIMMs) will cost a bit over $300 plus the installation charge. However, this is only an emulation optio n and there is no guarantee that all software will run -- one drawback is that there is no support for sound which is a drawback for multimedia CD-ROMs. Another drawback is lack of an FPU (math co-processor) when running DOS/Windows applications. Questio ns about a package being able to run under the SoftWindows environment should be directed to Insignia Solutions.

Mounting a DOS Machine over a Network

Farallon has a software package called Timbuktu Pro 1.03 for Windows that lets the user run a Windows based PC over a network (Ethernet or LocalTalk) via a Macintosh. However, this setup does require having both a Macintosh and a PC with Windows. Timbuktu needs to translate the Windows GDI language to Mac QuickDraw which slows things down considerably.

Apple Computer - PowerMac 6100s

For the PowerMac 6100 series Apple (Power Mac 6100s and the Performa 6115) offers a DOS compatibility card that fits into the process-direct slot (PDS) on the 6100 motherboard. This is a 486 DX2 66/33 Mhz processor with an FPU. . This runs full DOS /Windows so there is no problem with emulation. One toggles back and forth between the Mac and DOS operating systems by using the command-return key combination (the default "hot keys"). There is also Windows Sound Blaster audio support. The processor can share RAM on the logic board with a slight degradation of performance or install a 72-pin SIMM directly on the DOS card. A minimum of 16MB is required if sharing memory -- Windows 3.1 (bundled with the card) will require a minimum of 4MB -- the Mac OS wi ll require at least 4MB -- and of course the application will require memory. This card allows the user to toggle back and forth between a Mac session and a Windows session with a hot key or the user can have two monitors -- one dedicated to the Mac while the other is dedicated to the PC.

There is no DOS compatibility card from Apple Computer for the 7100 or 8100 PPCs. However, when Apple migrates from the NuBus(TM) expansion slot configuration to the PCI (peripheral component interface) architecture (sometime in the summer of 1995), then Apple or other third party developers will most likely develop DOS compatibility cards.

Reply Corporation

The Reply Corporation makes DOS compatibility cards for several Macintosh computers: Quadra/Centris 610; Quadra/Centris 650; Quadra 700, 800, 900, 950. They have both 486 DX2 50 MHz and 486 DX2 66 MHz cards. They just recently announced a DOS card for the PM 7100/66 with an anticipated delivery date of June 1995 with a card for the PM 7100/80 to follow shortly thereafter. Also, they indicate that they expect PM 8100 product(s) by the end of the third quarter (September) 1995. Their card also fits into t he PDS slot and one can either toggle between sessions or use two monitors as with the Apple DOS card.

The Reply Corporation will be making DOS compatible cards for the PM 7100/66 and the PM 8100/80 (however, initially not for the PM 7100/80 and the PM 8100/100, the machines that succeeded the original PPCs.

Orange Micro

Orange Micro makes DOS cards fully compatible with all Mac systems containing a 12 inch NuBus slot including the Mac II series, Performa 600 series, Quadra series. PPCs and the DuoDocks. The Centris/Quadra 610, Mac IIsi and PPC 6100 will require a PDS to NuBus adapter card. There is a choice of variety of microprocessors from Intel 486 DX2 50 MHz to a DX4 100 MHz.

Apple Computer, Cupertino, CA Tel. 800.SOS.APPL; Fax on demand 800.510,2834.

DataViz, Inc., 55 Coporate Drive, Trumbull, CT 06611. Tel. 203.268.0030; Tel. 800.733.0030; Fax 203.268.4345.

Farallon Computing, 2470 Mariner Square Loop, Alameda, CA 94501-1010; Tel. 510.814.5000;

Tel. 800.995.7761; Fax 510.814.5023; Fax on demand: 510.814.5040.
E-mail: info@farallon.com.

Insignia Solutions, 1300 Charleston Road, Mountain View, CA 94043. Tel.800.848.7677; (415) 335-7100; Fax 415. (415) 335-7105.

Orange Micro, Inc., 1400 North Lakeview, Anaheim, CA 92807 Tel. 714.779.2772; Fax 714.779.9332.
E-mail: OMISALES@eWorld.com

Reply Corporation, 4435 Fortran Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. Tel. 800.801.6898; Tel. 408.942.4804;
Fax 408.956.2793.

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