[DM-MUG] Tiger without Appletalk issues

[Bryan Baker]

On Jun 17, 2005, at 4:48 PM, pegleg wrote:
[first part omitted to save space]
> Lastly I have several Macs that do not support Appletalk IP. One  
> the Quadra
> 630(ATA), I have been using as a file server (small Mac that uses  
> little power
> when left on 24/7.) I would really like to see these in Tiger. Is  
> there
> software that will help: Timbuktu, VNC or another that will allow  
> me to see
> the hard drive and transfer files? Any suggestions may be helpful?

I mentioned this before, but have you thought about some sort of  
bridge machine?
Something still running Jaguar should handle both fine, or a minimal  
PC running linux could be made into a bridge/router you may need to  
use separate zones though.

> Opinion and gripe coming.
>
> Ok, why did Apple decide to leave AppleTalk out of Tiger? I know it  
> is an old
> and wordy protocol but it has been the networking standard on Macs  
> for 20
> years. This legacy solves many a problem for small business and  
> home owners. I
> can understand that Apple wouldn't want to support third party  
> legacy products
> but these are all Apple brand and Apple created equipment and  
> protocols.
> Leaving Appletalk out is a slap in the face to long time Apple  
> users who have
> supported them with purchases over the years.

IIRC Apple has been making noises about trying to ditch "classic"  
appletalk for at least 5 years now (since OSX came out, in fact I  
think early betas disabled it, but I've slept since then). I know a  
lot of net admins that absolutely HATE classic appletalk, and this  
may be part of Apple's moves to gain more IT acceptance.

> Personally, I think Apple should keep straight AppleTalk as an  
> option as a
> show of support for their long time supporters and businesses.

But if you /have/ to use it, you aren't buying current gear. ;-)

> At the very least Apple should release Appletalk into the public  
> domain so
> someone can write an open source implementation for those who need it.

No need - the reason I mention linux is, that there has been an open  
source implementation for 7 or 8 years now called netatalk. A PC you  
could get for free should be capable of creating a route from IP  
based appletalk to "classic". If you want to stay "pure" mac maybe  
try the aforementioned Jaguar box.

--
Bryan Baker
President
Des Moines Macintosh Users Group
http://www.dmmug.org
president at dmmug.org