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Tech Tips: It's All About Networking
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WANs, LANs, Intranets, Ethernets and even good old LocalTalk
I've connected to another machine via LocalTalk and one of the folder icons has a 'belt' around it - What does it mean?
LocalTalk is great (?!?!?) but what are its limitations?
Are there any tips for using a LocalTalk network?
I've connected my PC to my Mac (via Ethernet) but how can I transfer files?
Is it possible to get my 68K Mac on the internet? If so, how?
[Q]: I've connected to another machine via LocalTalk and one of the folder icons has a 'belt' around it - What does it mean?
[A]: Simply put, it's a folder that you can't play with. You can open it and add files to it but you can't delete it (or from it), edit it or rename it.
[Q]: LocalTalk is great (?!?!?) but what are its limitations?
[A]: LocalTalk is a neat way to easily connect machines together but it's no substitute for a 'real' network. If you must stick with it then remember that you can only share up to 10 items on each machine (although these items may include folders and sub-folders) and only 10 users can be connected at any one time (and God knows how slow that would be). Also, without AppleShare installed, machines running OS 6 can be accessed from machines running OS 7 BUT NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND (the OS 7 machines can't be accessed from the OS 6 machines).
[Q]: Are there any tips for using a LocalTalk network?
[A]: There are several things that you can do... 1. Try to reduce how many files/folders you share - the best way is to setup a 'shared' folder on your machine and just share that one folder (this'll speed things up). 2. Don't share apps - share aliases to the apps instead. 3. Don't share your whole hard drive (it just isn't secure) - instead make a 'shared' folder. 4. Don't allow 'guest' users (again, it just isn't secure) - register only the specific users that you want to grant access to.
[Q]: I've connected my PC to my Mac (via Ethernet) but how can I transfer files?
[A]: Although there are no doubt loads of better solutions, my own favourite is to simple FTP files back and forth. This has the added benefit of being free! On the PC, install a simple FTP server (try using Google to find a free one) and set it up so that you have an account that your Mac can log onto and some files/folders that your Mac is allowed to view. On the Mac get hold of an FTP client (Anarchie is my favourite for older Macs). Run it and then enter the IP address of the PC as the location that you want to connect to and voila - a list of the files on your PC and you should then be able to read/write them (assuming that you set up the correct permissions in the FTP server). Depending on your software you may also be able to use the PC as a web server and view web pages!
[Q]: Is it possible to get my 68K Mac on the internet? If so, how?
[A]: Yes it's possible but not something that I've ever done myself. For info on how to do it, visit www.JagsHouse.com which has an excellent step by step guide to getting the job done.
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