Q: Downloaded old documents [performa running os 8 app. clairis 4{i think}] on to my new imac.

Peter,

What computer did the files come from?  The original software is what is needed to read the files.  Usually you need to save a word processing document as .RTF and spreadsheet files as SYLK.  Database files need to be exported to tab delimited text for best results.  Comma delimited files are problematic for some software titles to read.

Jim~

Peter,

The universal file format is actually pdf.  Adobe, the company made a name for itself by inventing the PostScript page description language for laser printers.  Before that it was dot matrix printing with jagged edges.  Once Adobe figured out that their page description languge could be used for more than printers, they got to work on pdf.

Also, you can find older translation software but the best thing to do is to go back and use "Save As..."  The save as option will give more options.  If you are in ClarisWorks, the save as default is ClarisWorks.  Click on the down arrow at the end of the box that says ClarisWorks and it will provide a drop down list of options.  That is where you select the universal file formats mentioned above.

If you can find a Mac User Group in your area, you are sure to find some old timer who could not bear to part with their old computers.  They can also help with translators or older software titles.  The earliest title was Passport.  That was a beta test of Apple File Exchange.  The latest third party title escapes me for now but it will come to me later.

Jim~

Just a note on "tab delimited text."  If you are in a spreadsheet, the tab key takes you from one column to the next, left to right.  Think of each tab or column as being a separate field like name, address, city, state, zip, phone number.  Each time you hit the return key it takes you to the next line.  Think of each return as a new record, or a new name, address, city, state and zip, etc..  Because that was the spreadsheet standard for organizing data, file transfers to databases adopted the same field separators or delimiters.  Sorry for the jargon.  :  )

Peter,

I just found the file I was trying to think of (of which I was trying to think-for you harvard types).

The file conversion software is called DataViz translation software.  It is sometimes found in the ClarisWorks resource folder, sometimes installed in the System folder.  Just go to 'Find File' in the File menu and type in DataViz.  That is what you want to convert old ClarisWorks files. 

I just went to their website and they have gone totally mobile.  They may have purchased the company called LapLink that did Mac to PC file conversions and laptop to desktop file transfers.  Find an old machine and search for DataViz to see if it is on the computer.  If not, find a user group or email me.  The address is in the profile.

Jim~

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