INTRODUCTION
------------
The Macintosh can be connected to the Wang VS or OIS systems to provide two
basic functions: document transfer and translation and terminal emulation.
Document transfer involves the sending of files between the Wang and the
Mac. This process also involves translation -- that is, conversion of
formatting attributes (like boldfacing, centering, tabs, and underlining)
in the Wang documents to their equivalents in the Microsoft Word documents.
As for terminal emulation, the Macintosh can act just like a Wang 2110 VS
terminal as long as it is connected to an Enhanced Asynchronous Device
Controller (EADC) port on the Wang. This lets the user open a window, on
the Macintosh, which is MultiFinder compatible and looks just like a Wang
terminal screen. The Wang keyboard is mapped to the Macintosh keyboard,
with some Macintosh user interfaces (mouse, pull-down menus, and so on)
added for additional ease of use.
The following products provide 2110 terminal emulation: MacLink Plus/Wang
VS and VsCom/Macintosh.
Physical Connections
--------------------
Connections between the Wang system and its dedicated terminals are made
via a Wang proprietary coaxial cable. Although this cable is also usable
by IBM-compatible PCs, it remains unusable by Macintosh computers.
To connect a Macintosh to the Wang system, use the RS-232 port on the
Macintosh side (which can be connected directly to an RS-232 cable if
within 50 feet of the Wang system, or via a modem if farther away).
On the Wang side, a number of ports are available:
- Asynchronous Device Controller (ADC): An 8- or 16- port RS-232 device
designed for communication with Wang VS terminals.
- Enhanced Asynchronous Device Controller (EADC): Similar to the ADC,
except that it also supports word processing.
- Telecommunications Input/Output Processor (TC-IOP): Provides limited
access to Wang software applications, is less sophisticated.
- Multi-Line Telecommunications Controller (MLTC): Similar to the ADC,
except that it is used on large Wang VS systems.
- Wang Asynchronous Controller System (WACS): Similar to the EADC, except
that it is used on large Wang VS systems.
All these ports support most Wang functions, like communications with the
Wang system, file transfer and conversion, and so on, but only the EADC and
the WACS support Wang word processing on the Macintosh.
CONNECTIVITY SOFTWARE AVAILABLE
-------------------------------
This section describes five transfer products (an asterisk indicates
terminal emulation capability):
- MacLink Plus/Wang VS* and MacLink Plus/Wang OIS
- VsCom/Macintosh*
- Converse
- Smart Kid
MacLink Plus/Wang VS
--------------------
Strengths
- Two-way file transfer and translation between Wang WP and Microsoft Word
on the Macintosh
- VS 2110 terminal emulation (supports all Wang characters in the ADC/EADC
version)
- Bidirectional copy/paste between Macintosh and Wang
- Multiple document transfer and conversion
- Includes a full set of PC-to-Macintosh translators
- Also includes the Allegro Server/VS FeaturePack, which provides:
- Security subsystem to prevent unauthorized access to files
- Document indexing subsystem to enable users to search for files on the
basis of author, title, and other fields from the document summary
(similar to the Wang summary)
- Wang Office interface module that provides access to the mail and
messaging functions in the Wang OFFICE. Note that it does not provide
access to OFFICE's calendar and bulletin board capabilities.
Limitations
MacLink Plus/Wang VS does not support:
- Headers, footers, and footnotes during document conversion
- Background transfer/conversion of files
MacLink Plus/Wang OIS
---------------------
Strengths
- MacLink Plus/Wang OIS transfers/converts files between Wang OIS and
MS-Word on the Macintosh
- It includes a full set of PC-to-Macintosh translators.
Limitations
MacLink Plus/Wang OIS does not support:
- Headers, footers, and footnotes during document conversion
- Direct conversion to/from Wang WP Plus
- Background transfer/conversion of files
For details on MacLink Plus products, contact DataViz, Inc. You can find
contact information in the Third Party Company Directory folder in the Tech
Info Library.
VsCom/Macintosh
---------------
Strengths
- Provides basic document transfer/translation between Wang VS and
Microsoft Word on the Macintosh: Supports both WP and WP Plus,
- Direct Wang Office interface: Simple one-step transfer of documents in
and out of Wang Office mailboxes
- VS 2110 terminal emulation (supports all Wang characters)
- Bidirectional copy/paste between Macintosh and Wang
- Multiple document transfer and conversion
- Headers and footers supported in document conversion
Limitations
VsCom/Macintosh does not support:
- Background document transfer and conversion
- Footnote conversions
- No TC-IOP port version
For details on VsCom/Macintosh, contact M/H Group. You can find contact
information in the Third Party Company Directory folder in the Tech Info
Library.
Converse
--------
Strengths
Converse provides simple document conversion and terminal emulation
capabilities.
Limitations
Converse does not support:
- Multiple document transfer and conversion capability
- Terminal emulation
- Background transfer and conversion of documents
For details on VsCom/Macintosh, contact MacSoft. You can find contact
information in the Third Party Company Directory folder in the Tech Info
Library.
Smart Kid
---------
Strengths
- Permits almost 100 percent file conversion including headers, footers,
and footnotes.
- Very versatile: Works with a variety of systems and word processing
formats.
- Toll-free telephone support.
Limitations
- Requires a Wang operator to send or receive files.
- Does not support background transfer and conversion of documents.
Comments
Smart Kid is a hardware and software product that handles file conversion
between Wang VS or Wang OIS and a host of other computer systems, including
Macintosh, IBM Displaywriter, Digital VAX, Xerox Memorywriter, and NBI
OASys. It is a more expensive option, but, because of its sophisticated
file conversion capabilities, it is sometimes chosen by companies that use
long, heavily formatted documents.
For details on VsCom/Macintosh, contact MacSoft. You can find contact
information in the Third Party Company Directory folder in the Tech Info
Library.
DISCLAIMER
----------
This document has been prepared by Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft
provides this information without warranty of any kind. Microsoft does not
guarantee or make any representations regarding the use, or the results of
the use, of this information in terms of correctness, accuracy,
reliability, currency or otherwise. Neither Microsoft nor anyone who has
been involved in the production of this document shall be liable for any
direct, indirect, or consequential damages arising out of the use of the
information contained herein.