Here are some questions and answers about using applications (MacWrite is
the example here) over a LocalTalk network with an AppleShare file server,
versus having individual copies of the application on the users' hard disks.
Q) If a user double-clicks on one of the MacWrite documents on the server,
which application will be opened: the MacWrite on the server or the
MacWrite on the user's hard disk?
A) The Macintosh OS always chooses an application residing on a local disk
over a server-based application. Given the choice between an application on
a local hard disk and one on a floppy drive, it will choose the hard disk.
Q) What happens if more than one user double clicks on the same MacWrite
document at the same time?
A) Only one user will be able to access the file. The first one to try to
open the file -- even if that primacy is only a matter of nanoseconds --
will be victorious. All successive attempts will result in a "file locked or
in use" error message.
Q) Should you launch the application on your hard disk, then open the
document on the server, or should you use the program on the server when
you work with a document on the server?
A) Apple recommends that unless the application is designed for
multilaunch use, have local copies of the application for each user and keep
documents on the server.