rich@pro-exchange.cts.COM (Rich Sims) (10/08/88)
>I would like to transfer Applewriter files to a Vax. Is there anyway to >make an ASCII file from an Applewriter file? Could it be done by connecting >the VAX to the RS232 that goes to the printer? Thanks for any help. >Chris Schlichting (Schlichting@NUSC.arpa) It's fairly easy with either the DOS 3.3 or ProDOS versions of AppleWriter, but the ProDOS version is the best choice (easiest). Both versions store their files as standard ASCII files, but they're unformatted and contain any embedded AW commands you've used. These files can be directly transferred and then edited on the VAX, but they won't have any line breaks. Both versions also allow you to "print to disk" which results in a formatted ASCII file with the embedded commands removed. That's the better way to go. You just set the print destination to 8 (PD8) and the rest of the print parameters however you desire, then print the file, supplying the new filename when prompted for one. The resulting file can be transferred by any terminal program, but if you're using the ProDOS version of AppleWriter, it can send the file out the serial port directly. That's why I said it's a better choice than the DOS 3.3 version. The setup for direct communication through the serial port is pretty easy, and well documented in the manual, but I don't believe that the point is very well made that it's best done through keyboard macros (glossary functions). I have a special "communications" glossary file set up that does the initialization and some other stuff, and it has proven to be a very simple and effective way to handle it. If you'd like a copy of that glossary file, contact me directly and I'll mail it to you. (It's also standard ASCII so there'll be no problem with the mailers.) "Talent does what it can, genius does what it must. I do what I get paid to do!" UUCP: [ sdcsvax nosc ] !crash!pro-exchange!rich || pro-exchange: 305/431-3203 ARPA: crash!pro-exchange!rich@nosc.mil || 300/1200/2400/9600 (HST) INET: rich@pro-exchange.cts.com || login = 'register'