This "QuickStart Card" shows you how to translate files between different Mac (e.g., ClarisWorks, Microsoft Works, etc.) and PC (e.g., WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, etc.) file formats using MacLinkPlus/Easy Open Translators™. You can also convert files between different Macintosh application formats. File translation allows you to use files that were created in one application, in another application - without losing any of the file's formatting.
MacLinkPlus/Easy Open Translators is a software package that is specially bundled with this Macintosh. For more detailed info, and a list of the word processing, spreadsheet, graphics and database formats supported, please refer to the "Mac Easy Open Info" file.
Method #1 (using Macintosh Easy Open)
1. Insert a PC disk into your Mac floppy drive or double-click on a file server icon.
2. Find the file that you want to translate.
Disk users: DOS directories will appear as Macintosh folders.
You may want to copy the PC file off of the server or disk before translating (this will speed up the translation process).
3. Double-Click on the PC file.
You will be presented with the Macintosh® Easy Open dialog box (below). It will list all applications on your hard drive that can open the PC file with the help of the MacLinkPlus translation library. The choices that you see will vary depending on what software you have loaded on your Macintosh. Simply double-click on the application that you prefer.
4. MacLinkPlus will then translate the file into the application that you selected, maintaining its original formatting (i.e., bold, italics, footers, etc., and even tables and embedded graphics in some cases).
You will see a status bar similar to this:
5. At the end of the translation, the appropriate application will launch and open your new, translated file.
Once the file is translated, treat it as if it were originally created in that application (edit, save, etc.). Note: The file will open into an "Untitled" window and must be saved.
1. Insert a DOS disk into your Performa (it will appear on your desktop as a disk icon with a "PC" on it).
2. Open your "works" application and choose what type of file you wish to open (i.e., word processing or drawing).
3. Select "Open" under the File menu.
4. Set the "File Format" or "File Type" pop-up menu to "All Available" or to a specific file format. If you are using ClarisWorks, set "Document Type" to either word processing or drawing.
5. Highlight the file that you wish to open and click "Open". As the document is translated into Mac format, you will see a status screen and a MacLinkPlus banner.
6. Your document is now translated and can be used in your application just like any other file.
Method #1
1. The document that you want to translate must be open in the application you are using (e.g., ClarisWorks).
2. Select "Save as" from the File Menu and select the file format that you want to translate into from the pop-up menu (WordPerfect 6.0 was selected in the picture below).
3. Choose where you would like to save the file (either a folder on your hard drive or a DOS disk). Click "Save". Make sure that your file name is 8-characters or less, since this is the limit imposed on files by DOS. You will see a status bar and MacLinkPlus banner.
4. If you saved the file onto your hard drive, you can now drag it onto a DOS disk.
2. Make a duplicate of the "Document Converter" (use "Duplicate" from the File menu).
3. Double-click on "Document Converter copy". This screen will appear:
4. Find the PC or Mac application/format that you want to translate your file into.
5. Highlight your choice and click “SET”.
The Document Converter copy will be renamed “to [application/format].” You can rename it if you wish.
6. Drag the file (or entire folder) that you want to translate over this newly named icon.
7. MacLinkPlus will convert the file(s) into the appropriate PC (or Mac) format and place the converted document in the same folder as that "Document Converter".
The translated file will retain the same name as the original, followed by "(converted)". Note: The name will exceed the 8-character limit imposed by DOS. You must shorten it before moving the file onto a DOS disk or file server.
8. Repeat steps 1-7 each time you need to translate into a new kind of file format. You can make as many Document Converters as you need.
If you are having problems converting files, try the following:
• Rebuild the desktop (restart with option and command keys down) to reset Macintosh Easy Open.
• Make sure the following files are in the correct places:
MacLinkPlus/Translators1, 2, 3, & 4 in the DataViz Folder in the System Folder.
Macintosh PC Exchange in the System Folder
MacLinkPlus for Easy Open in Extensions in the System Folder
MacLinkPlus folder on the Hard Drive
• Make sure Macintosh Easy Open from Apple is installed correctly.
• Make sure there are no DOS extensions or suffixes assigned or mapped to Mac applications (see info on Macintosh PC Exchange™ or network software documentation)
