Running old ClarisWorks and Canvas in newer OSX?

[Jpsned]

Hi,

Starting in 1994, my dad did an extensive amount of text work with ClarisWorks, and graphics with Canvas on a Quadra 610.

When he bought his current PowerMac G4 in 2002, he was able to transfer all that work to it. His current OS is 10.3.9. He is still able to access ClarisWorks (5.0) and Canvas (3.5 and 8.0) in Classic mode.

He wants to upgrade his OS, but he says that if he goes higher than 10.3.9, he will no longer be able to access Classic mode, and thus lose all his ClarisWorks and Canvas files.

Is anyone aware of a workaround or other solution so he can update his Mac but still successfully run the old ClarisWorks and Canvas programs? Thank you.

 

[Sun Baked]

Try running this translation program.

http://www.dataviz.com/products/maclinkplus/index.html

 

[PeggyD]

I can't help with Canvas, but AppleWorks 6.2.4 or 6.2.9 run in the latest versions of OS X & it will open his ClarisWorks/AppleWorks 5 documents. If he has any ClarisWorks 4 or earlier files he should use 6.2.4 as 6.2.9 can't open all of those ClarisWorks 4 or earlier files.

You could tryeBay and do a search for "AppleWorks" or "Apple Works" (some people put a "space" in the name). Hardcore Mac sells AppleWorks 6.2.4.

 

[Sun Baked]

The current version of Canvas should run under one of the WINE apps like Crossover, so using the Windows version is an option.

 

[Gregg2]

Peggy is spot on, however, AppleWorks is not forever. Eventually, it won't be able to run on the Mac OS. (my prediction, no authoritative source) If he will need those files for a long time, it might be wise to migrate to something else. That will probably have to be from AW however, because CW files cannot be saved in some of the formats that AW files can. When he switches to AW, he should open all his CW files and save them as AW files, unless the translation program suggested can do that more easily.

 

[MisterMe]

...

He wants to upgrade his OS, but he says that if he goes higher than 10.3.9, he will no longer be able to access Classic mode, and thus lose all his ClarisWorks and Canvas files.

...

This is not true. If you have a PPC-based Mac, then Classic is supported through the latest updates to MacOS X 10.4.11. Canvas 3.5.x contains debug code that contains an expiration date. ACD has posted and updater to bring it Canvas 3.5.6. You may also locate instructions for removing the expiration date and use Hex Edit, ResEdit or a similar editor to do it yourself.

With Canvas 5, this wonderful Mac app because a Windows app with a Mac port. Deneba improved it, but never fully repaired its faults until it stopped development of the Mac version after Canvas X. Canvas 11 and Canvas 12 are Windows-only. Nothing after Canvas 3.5.6 fully supports the older Canvas file format.

AppleWorks is ClarisWorks under a newer name. Apple has the updater to AppleWorks 6.2.9 available online—including your MobileMe space.