TOPIC -----------------------------------------
How can I connect and transfer files between a Wang VS 5000 and a Macintosh II
over a modem?
DISCUSSION ------------------------------------
There are several ways to connect the Macintosh computer within the Wang
environment. The most common implementations rely on basic Wang terminal
emulation and terminal emulation with file transfer and document conversion
capabilities. Below is a complete solution, including Wang terminal emulation
and asynchronous file transfer.
Basic Wang Terminal Emulation
-----------------------------
Any Macintosh application that supports VT100 emulation -- such as inTalk or
MacTerminal software -- can emulate a standard VT100 terminal on a network
using the Wang VS. This allows the Macintosh computer to function as a Wang
workstation by direct or modem connection to the Wang-provided asynchronous
device controller (ADC) or enhanced asynchronous device controller (EADC).
These controllers let remote terminals execute Wang software applications, with
the following limitations:
- The standard Wang keyboard includes 32 function keys, a Help key, and a
Cancel key, all of which are heavily used in Wang applications. With
the Macintosh computer and VT100 emulation software, the user needs to
memorize several keystrokes to signify each of these keys.
- With the described MacTerminal connection, it is not possible to transfer
files between the Macintosh computer and the Wang VS.
Terminal Emulation with File Transfer and Document Interchange
--------------------------------------------------------------
The DataViz MacLink Plus/Wang VS software provides a bridge between Wang word
processing and Macintosh applications, including word processing and desktop
publishing applications. It also provides two-way file transfer and document
translation using the standard Macintosh user interface, while allowing the
Macintosh user to access Wang Office electronic-mail services.
Macintosh documents can be converted to standard Wang word processing documents
and stored on the Wang VS in a one-step process. Wang VS documents can be sent
to the Macintosh computer and automatically translated to MacWrite, Microsoft
Word, or WordPerfect format, allowing documents created on the Wang VS to
benefit from Macintosh desktop publishing capabilities.
Data files can be transferred in both directions and then translated into a
variety of formats. Wang data files can be converted and used on the Macintosh
computer as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Macintosh files can be stored on the
Wang VS in MacBinary format for use by other Macintosh users, and also can be
stored in binary format for use by MS-DOS personal computer users -- in all,
more than 45 translators are provided.
You can also read mail received via Wang Office electronic mail and copy
received files and documents to the Macintosh computer. You can create and
send Wang Office memos and packages containing memos, documents, and data files
(even MacBinary and binary files) to Wang users, as well as other Macintosh
computer and IBM PC users.
A special version of MacLink Plus/Wang VS is available for Macintosh
connectivity via the Wang VS TC, TCP, or MLTC ports. The full range of file
translators is available for file transfer and conversion. (Wang does not
support terminal emulation capability through these ports.)
Document Conversion with Smart Kid
----------------------------------
Smart Kid from Interpreter, Inc. is a hardware and software product that allows
documentation conversion between Wang VS or Wang OIS and various word
processors and personal computers. Many systems and software packages are
supported, including Microsoft Word and WordPerfect on the Macintosh computer,
WP and WP Plus on the Wang, WordPerfect and Mass11 on Digital's VAX, and a
number of IBM PC word processors and dedicated word processors. Smart Kid
permits almost 100-percent file conversion, including headers, footers, and
footnotes and translates directly from Wang WP and WP Plus into Macintosh word
processing formats.
Terminal Emulation for Document Transfer and Conversion
-------------------------------------------------------
VSterm from MacSoft and VsCom/Macintosh from M/H Group (the leading vendor for
IBM PC-Wang VS connectivity software) provide Wang 2110 terminal emulation for
document transfer and conversion. With VSterm, any PC with a serial port can
emulate the Wang 2100 or VT100 terminals, exchange documents and data with the
Wang VS, and convert Wang VS data to popular PC formats. VsCom/Macintosh
provides Wang VS 2100 terminal emulation, including quick screen response,
complete support of Wang WP graphics and characters, and flexible access to
Wang function keys. The program also provides file transfer and conversion
between Macintosh and Wang word processing formats.
MacSoft also offers a program called Converse that provides file transfer and
conversion through the Wang VS TC-IOP ports, providing a relatively simple,
inexpensive solution for file transfer and conversion.
MacBLAST for Asynchronous Communication
---------------------------------------
MacBLAST communications software interfaces with BLAST for the Wang VS/OS
(Revision 6.4 or later, equipped with TCP/IP boards and asynchronous ports with
ADC/EADC options). MacBLAST provides high-speed, error-free file transfer and
text file format-conversion for integrating the Macintosh computer with Wang
computer systems. MacBLAST transfers binary data, text, or graphics.
MacBLAST and Wang VS BLAST can be used to create file transfer links or dial-up
networks between Wang VS computers and any number of remote Macintosh computers
or PCs. MacBLAST uses standard phone lines or X.25 networks to provide
reliable, high-speed communications unaffected by line noise or propagation
delay on satellite-routed calls and X.25 packet networks.
MacBLAST features include on-line help, automatic dialing, and scripting for
creating unattended operations, custom menus, and seamless integration within
Macintosh applications.
For more information, search under: "DataViz, Inc."; "Interpreter, Inc.";
"MacSoft"; "M/H Group"; and "Communications Research Group".