Stupid Mac question

[ffutures]

If a data-logger device is described as coming with Mac software on floppy discs, about 15 years old, we're obviously talking an early-ish iteration of the old Mac OS. If cables are mentioned in this context they will obviously be serial.

What are the chances of getting something like this to work with my iBook, assuming I can find an appropriate serial - USB adapter and some way of getting the software onto the mac? Always assuming the disks are still good, of course...

Comments

[cdybedahl.livejournal.com]

If your iBook is old enough (G4 CPU or older), runs OSX 10.4 or older and it still has the Classic environment emulation thing, then you have a chance. Not sure how big a chance, but at least some. For anything with an Intel CPU there is no chance at all.

[autopope.livejournal.com]

In emergency, hit on me: I have a Mac Powerbook of that vintage (circa 1993), sitting gathering dust on a top shelf. (Runs OS 7.5.5 on a 68030 clocked at 25MHz, 80Mb hard disk/8Mb RAM, SCSI and AppleTalk serial ports and floppy disk drive. You'll need to find the correct cables -- I'm afraid I probably chucked mine years ago -- and the battery will be dead, but it oughta boot using the power brick.)

Getting data off the beast, now ... that'd be a challenge! (But a USB floppy disk drive or zip drive ought to work.)

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

No need, I can get it to work with a PC - already have the software at work and know the cable configuration - I was just hoping I might be able to get it to work with the iBook, since it actually comes with the Mac software and that's no longer available.

[heliograph.livejournal.com]

Very, very low, and only after a lot of work. It may be impossible, depending on what kind of iBook you have.

Mostly, though, what they said. If you setup an old machine running 7 or 8 it might work. If if you have a PPC Mac running Classic emulation with OSX, getting old odd peripherals to work with it is Russian Roulette, and I mean that in every sense.

If it is also Windows compatible, you actually have a much better chance of getting it to work with an XP machine. FWIW.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Windows is trivial - already have the software at work and know the cable configuration - I was just hoping I might be able to get it to work with the iBook (which is indeed PPC), since it actually comes with the Mac software and that's no longer available.

[robertprior.livejournal.com]

I've got a ruby iMac you could have, if that would help.

Getting it to you in functional condition might be a problem, though…

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

No thanks - basically, I have everything I need to use it on a PC, I was hoping it might be possible to get it working with my iBook, but I definitely don't want to get another mac for the sake of using the software.

[nojay.livejournal.com]

If this is an Ebay item I'd give it a miss. At 15 years old it will be 68k based and probably interfaces via Apple Data Bus (ADB) which was their own flavour of serial port since they believed in reinventing the wheel wherever possible.

For collectors and enthusiasts only, I suspect.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

It's actually still compatible with the PC version of the software, we use them at work. I was hoping it might be usable with my iBook, but if it's going to be that difficult it isn't worth the hassle.

[saranjeuhal.livejournal.com]

Get SheepShaver or one of the other Classic Mac emulators. Then get a serial to USB convertor. Map the serial port in the emulator to the particular serial/usb port and you should be good.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

From what others have been saying this is probably not going to be practical at all. I've got the PC version of the software, I'll settle for that.