The following instructions are for running AED's RDAS host software on the Macintosh platform.

Hardware Requirements

Apart from the software listed below, the only other item required is a conversion lead. This is a 9 pin d-type serial connector to 9 pin mini din connector.

The one used for testing was obtained from Palm Computing makers of Palm PDA's, and it is their Palm to macintosh hotsync conversion cable.

Go here to order one online ----> Palm (US) or Palm (Europe)

You are looking for a Macintosh Serial Adapter (Palm part number :10116U).
Just enter this part number into the search to go straight to the correct item.

Its very quick and easy and you are assured of getting the correct item. It only costs $5.95. (or £9 from Palm Europe)

This allows the RDAS download cable to be plugged into the serial port at the back of your macintosh.

Software Requirements

Due to the fact that the RDAS host software was originally written as an executable windows program, mac users are forced to use some form of emulation software. The details below are the way in which you can configure Insignia Solutions Softwindows 95 correctly, in order to make this possible.

Once you have successfully loaded Softwindows 95 you should go into the setup menu. Select "Ports" and set COM 1 to the printer port.

Download the rdas host software onto you mac as normal and unzip it using Stuffit expander (or any other unzipper).

Place the newly unzipped files into a new folder inside the root folder that contains your copy of Softwindows. You should name this new folder "shared".

Now go back to the setup in Softwindows. Select the "shared folders" option. Set the folder you just created and called "shared" to one of the H, G or I drives.

Reboot Softwindows and run the setup.exe in the shared folder "drive".

Reboot for the final time and start the host software from the start menu.

Note : Insignia Solutions Softwindows has been superceded by more current developments in windows emulation. See below for more details.

Testing

Testing was completed on and older 9500 powermac and a new G3 laptop.
MacOS versions used 7.5, 7.5.1, 8, 8.1 and 8.5.

Software used : Insignia Solutions Softwindows 95 v3.0 and v5.0.4.

The above procedure will undoubtably work with the even newer Virtual PC by Connectix and the newer MacOS 9 and 9.1
As to hardware, I haven't had chance to use USB yet so I don't know. Check back soon for further developments.

Study compiled by
Charles Simpson BSc (Hons)
UKRA 1062 - Chairman
TRA #6172 (L3 + TAP)