Most DOS and Windows applications identify documents according to the 3-character extension to the file name (for example, doc in letter1.doc). Such applications display only files with specific extensions in their Open dialog boxes.
Macintosh applications, on the other hand, do not recognize file extensions. Instead they use Type and Creator identifiers, which are not normally visible to the Macintosh user. A document's Type and Creator can be displayed by such utilities as ResEdit, Find File, and DiskTop.
When copying files between a Windows computer and a Macintosh, Timbuktu Pro adds (or maps) file identifiers. When you transfer files from a Windows PC to a Macintosh, the DOS file extension must be mapped to a Macintosh Type and Creator in order for the file to be read correctly on the Macintosh. When transferring files from a Macintosh to a Windows computer, the reverse is true. When the files are saved on the recipient's computer, they will have the information that the applications need to recognize them. Until you set up file extension mapping for your computer, you may not get the automatic file name conversions you need.
The filemap.ini file
The tables of information Timbuktu Pro uses to perform file name mapping are kept in the filemap.ini file in the Timbuktu Pro folder on the Windows computer. File mapping is initially limited to the entries of the filemap.ini file. However, you can add an extension mapping entry for any application you have. There is no limit to the number of entries you can add. For detailed information about creating new extension mapping entries, see DOS to Macintosh File Conversion and Macintosh to DOS File Conversion.
When you transfer a file from a PC to a Macintosh, the [PC To Macintosh] section of filemap.ini is scanned for a matching file extension. If the extension is found, the Macintosh Creator and Type values are copied to the file from the same line in the [PC To Macintosh] section.
When a PC receives a Macintosh file, the [Macintosh To PC] section of filemap.ini is scanned for a Type and Creator match. If a line with matching Type and Creator is found, the DOS extension is copied to the file from the same line in the [Macintosh To PC] section.
If you are using files that have extensions, Types, or Creators that are not currently mapped in filemap.ini, you can add new lines to the appropriate section of the file. This will allow you to avoid manually adding file extensions or resetting Type and Creator values following file transfer.