Migrating to OS X questions

[Bensheim]

Hallo

This is a publishing company about to dump its trusty old G4s and invest in a network of iMacs. I have done a great deal of research about the hardware and software options but now I need some more help.

We have been using ClarisWorks happily for 13 years but I have found out that OS 9 applications will not work on iMacs. Therefore, I need to source the following:

DeskTop Publishing: I think QuarkExpress is too expensive and too heavyweight. We don't use images nor colour. What is the cut-down/lighterweight version - what alternatives are there? I see that PageMaker is no long marketed.

Database: FileMaker Pro9 is, however, still marketed. Is this the only good solid database app for OS X? The database runs the business really, with the subscriptions, mailing list, labels and invoices.

Spreadsheet and WP: we've been using Excel and Word as well as lovely old ClarisWorks. My research is pointing me in the direction of NeoOffice (free, apparently) or iWork08 (another £55).

The charts - DeltaGraph - is the only application we use which I think will migrate to the new OS.

Am I facing re-keying-in all the ~1,000 database entries, plus all the precious accounts spreadsheets? There must be a way of migrating files from OS 9 to OS X, surely? Many people must have been though this before me.

Many thanks for all and any replies. I'm not being lazy in coming here with these questions - but there are only so many hours in the day to do this research and continue working on a weekly publication.

 

[MisterMe]

...

We have been using ClarisWorks happily for 13 years but I have found out that OS 9 applications will not work on iMacs. Therefore, I need to source the following:

DeskTop Publishing: I think QuarkExpress is too expensive and too heavyweight. We don't use images nor colour. What is the cut-down/lighterweight version - what alternatives are there? I see that PageMaker is no long marketed.

If you have been producing your documents using ClarisWorks (which became AppleWorks years ago), then your needs are very lightweight. If you want to stay lightweight, then Pages is probably where you want to go. Buy the iWorks '08 suite. PageMaker 7.0 works in Classic, but Classic does not work on Intel machines. InDesign superseded PageMaker years ago. Adobe later released a PageMaker compatibility mode, but you don't need that because you never used PageMaker.

Database: FileMaker Pro9 is, however, still marketed. Is this the only good solid database app for OS X? The database runs the business really, with the subscriptions, mailing list, labels and invoices.

FileMaker is a great DBMS. It may even be the best. But it is the only DBMS on the Mac by no means. Check out 4th Dimension v11 SQL. OpenBASE installs with the Mac Develeloper Tools. You have options.

Spreadsheet and WP: we've been using Excel and Word as well as lovely old ClarisWorks. My research is pointing me in the direction of NeoOffice (free, apparently) or iWork08 (another £55).

Excel 2004 (and so to be Excel 2008) works well. Unlike NeoOffice 2.2.1, it is not free. If you are satisfied with Excel, then I recommend that you stick with it and upgrade. But it is your money and your choice.

The charts - DeltaGraph - is the only application we use which I think will migrate to the new OS.

DeltaGraph is a great charting app, but it is the only one by no stretch of the imagination. I much prefer KaleidaGraph. If your data is in DeltaGraph format, then stay with DeltaGraph. If your data is in some other format, then you have more options. What are your needs for a charting app?

Am I facing re-keying-in all the ~1,000 database entries, plus all the precious accounts spreadsheets? There must be a way of migrating files from OS 9 to OS X, surely? Many people must have been though this before me.

This depends on the format of your data. Excel will open your old spreadsheets. If your database is in ClarisWorks format, then migration may have some speed bumps, but no insurmountable barriers.

Many thanks for all and any replies. I'm not being lazy in coming here with these questions - but there are only so many hours in the day to do this research and continue working on a weekly publication.

To facilitate your migration, I strongly suggest that you get MacLinkPlus Deluxe 16 from DataViz. It is a file conversion utility which handles a lot of formats including the ones used for your files.

 

[belkjab]

Migrating is simple.

Filemaker is by far the best database for OS X. You didn't specify which database you have been using, but you can probably import your data into Filemaker. Just move the database files on to the new computer and attempt to import into Filemaker.

MacLink Plus is unnecessary. Transferring files is a breeze; use a firewire cable and command T. Get info on this from your new computers by selecting help and searching for firewire disk mode.

For your main application suite, I suggest a couple of entirely free options either

OpenOffice

http://porting.openoffice.org/mac/download/x11-103.html

This suite is amazing: word, powerpoint, and excel equivalents plus a drawing application and a database application. The help facility is excellent.

or Google docs. Google has recently greatly improved their offerings and they make collaboration a breeze.

https://www.google.com/accounts/Ser...=http://docs.google.com/&ltmpl=homepage&nui=1

Google offers amazing email, calendar, word, powerpoint, and excel equivalents.

Good Luck and enjoy your new computers.

 

[Bensheim]

MisterMe,

Thank you so much for all your help. I've printed out this thread so far, to make notes.

If you have been producing your documents using ClarisWorks (which became AppleWorks years ago), then your needs are very lightweight. If you want to stay lightweight, then Pages is probably where you want to go. Buy the iWorks '08 suite.

I now know that PAGES is part of iWorks 08 and have read it up. I'll need to see it in real life, but it looks very promising.

FileMaker is a great DBMS. It may even be the best. But it is the only DBMS on the Mac by no means. Check out 4th Dimension v11 SQL. OpenBASE installs with the Mac Develeloper Tools. You have options.

The database is one of the biggest demands here. I don't mind spending more on something more heavyweight than I need - more is good, perhaps. I will however check out the one you recommend

Excel 2004 (and so to be Excel 2008) works well. Unlike NeoOffice 2.2.1, it is not free. If you are satisfied with Excel, then I recommend that you stick with it and upgrade. But it is your money and your choice.

I'm hoping the spreadsheet in NUMBERS in iWork will do the job.

DeltaGraph is a great charting app, but it is the only one by no stretch of the imagination. I much prefer KaleidaGraph. If your data is in DeltaGraph format, then stay with DeltaGraph. If your data is in some other format, then you have more options. What are your needs for a charting app?

DeltaGraph is one of my favourite applications ever. I've emailed them to ask if it will migrate to OS X and if not, what my up-grade options are.

To facilitate your migration, I strongly suggest that you get MacLinkPlus Deluxe 16 from DataViz. It is a file conversion utility which handles a lot of formats including the ones used for your files.

This is a really good idea. I've checked the DataViz site and their latest version certainly seems to be cross OS 9 and OS X platforms. However, they charge in dollars and add another 20 for shipping. I'm hoping to find a UK retailer.

Many thanks. Many many thanks indeed.

 

[Bensheim]

Filemaker is by far the best database for OS X. You didn't specify which database you have been using, but you can probably import your data into Filemaker. Just move the database files on to the new computer and attempt to import into Filemaker.

I've been using the one which came with Claris Works and has performed brilliantly ever since. I'll be sorry to lose it but OTOH could do with a few more bells and whistles, which I presume Filemaker will provide.

MacLink Plus is unnecessary. Transferring files is a breeze; use a firewire cable and command T. Get info on this from your new computers by selecting help and searching for firewire disk mode.

I think MacLinkPlus will be essential, and doubt the breezability of transferring files - I'm talking about OS 9 to OS X here - but I will be more than happy to be surprised on the day. I understand from all my extensive research so far that none of the OS 9 applications will run on a new iMac because of the Intel processor. Therefore, it's not just a case of buying a new iMac and connecting them up - it's a case of a complete system upgrade in every respect.

For your main application suite, I suggest a couple of entirely free options either

OpenOffice

http://porting.openoffice.org/mac/download/x11-103.html

This suite is amazing: word, powerpoint, and excel equivalents plus a drawing application and a database application. The help facility is excellent.

or Google docs. Google has recently greatly improved their offerings and they make collaboration a breeze.

https://www.google.com/accounts/Ser...=http://docs.google.com/&ltmpl=homepage&nui=1

Google offers amazing email, calendar, word, powerpoint, and excel equivalents.

Good Luck and enjoy your new computers.

Thank you! Many thanks for your response, too.