If one migrates from a PPC Mac to a new one with Leopard, do AW files open natively, or only with Pages, or?

You can still run AppleWorks. You can set the default program to use as AppleWorks just like any other default. I don't recall if iWork sets itself as the default automatically or not.

Thanks Jack. Actually I tried an AW file on my current machine, 10.4.11 PPC, and it has problems even now. Crashes if I try to edit or add text.

Just wondered, as I'm gradually transferring significant docs from AW to Pages for safety. The only problem is that the original date for the file changes to the date the new one is created. Most of the time it doesn't matter that much, but once in a while it does. Will just find a way to enter the original date in the body or title of the transferred file.

Are you using AW 5 or 6???

If the files were created in an older version of AW, I'm not surprised they are acting up. The combination of 10.4.11 and AW6 should work.

I had AW back to Claris Works versions even on my 520. What I did to bring them forward was put those files out onto Mac diskettes (it did not work if they were PC formatted.) Then I read them into AW 6 which converted them into current AW6 format. They are mainly very important spreadsheets while I still need to use to refer to. They work perfectly. I even converted them to Excel format and can work with them. They also work in NeoOffice. I had no luck with Numbers, as it conflicts with iChat on my machine. (PPC G4, running 10.4.11.) This is some sort of Apple incompatibility and I had to remove iWork on my machine. This has been reported to Apple via proper channels via the Apple Store Genius Bar manager. So I either open those files in AW6, Excel, or NeoOffice, depending upon which machine I am on. I keep them all up on my iDisk so they are safe and I can get at them from anywhere.

quote:

Are you using AW 5 or 6???

v. 6.2.9

Hard to be specific, but it's been wonky off & on for the past couple of years or so. I just now opened it to check the version, set up a new document. As soon as I tried to write something it crashed. That's why I'm working on transfers. AW just too undependable.

I can control/select a file in the Finder & "Open with - Pages" & it works OK. Just can't open AW and work in it anymore.

P.S. - Donna, I rarely do spreadsheet work, but purchased MarinerCalc awhile back. It opens Excel files, but seems to have limitations on size, as it choked on a VERY large recording catalog I downloaded yesterday. No "messages" - just wouldn't open the file. Also, the Help file/documentation is not very extensive, but if you are good at SS's, probably not a problem.

Interesting what one winds up purchasing to make up for the functions of AW. PSElements takes care of the "paint" feature (I think). I used the "draw" module quite a bit for some simple diagrams - lost that function several years ago, so bought Intaglio. The big Adobe apps are just overkill for my needs.
http://purgatorydesign.com/Intaglio/
http://www.marinersoftware.com/sitepage.php?page=14

Must have something to do with the files, because I can open files here OK (although I only have a very few of them, and they're pretty basic word processing or spreadsheets.

Jack - Could be. However doesn't explain why it would crash if you create a brand new document and try simple text entry. As soon as I press the first letters on the keyboard, it's gone.

I'm not going to fight it anymore. Files open OK, so I know the content is intact. Scrolling & viewing OK. Will just have to convert important ones.

A last thought: If I get a mini, will migrate everything. Then will try AW in Leopard. I didn't migrate to my MBPro, and don't want to bother with an install just to test it.

One other thing to check — see if you have a corrupt font. That can cause quits and crashes. Some apps are more sensitive than others when it comes to a corrupt font file, even if it's not being used in the current document.

Have you tried reinstalling AppleWorks? It should be on your install disks for the computer it came with. You can even buy fresh copies of version 6.2 from megamacs.com even today.

Phyllis is probably right (again) about a font giving you grief. Have you tried selecting a different font before getting started?

The only other suggestion would be to uninstall AppleWorks and reinstall it (along with any updates).

Version 6.2.9 is the latest version. That's what I have. It works fine.

Great suggestions, everyone. This is sort of turning out as a test of access to older files. Except where mentioned, all of these "experiments" were done on my 10.4.11 PPC.

Maybe text is the problem, but if I even press the space bar - Crash. I flushed the font cache & restarted with no change. (Font Cache Cleaner)
Defaults to Helvetica, so I tried Garamond, Lucida Grande, Comic Sans, Charter - all older or system fonts. Crashes every time.
- To compare, Same fonts OK in Pages 2.

I opened an old old drawing file. I can do some simple lines and ungroup the diagram (which has its own problem-won't get into it here.), but if I make a text box in the drawing and start an entry - crash.

Another experiment - Located a 1997 AW file to force the OS9 version to open (6.2.8). Lo & behold, it worked OK. Opened an old file. Also took entries in a new WP document OK.

Back to 6.2.9, OSX
- Turned off Typeit4me. Crash.
- Made sure Font Reserve was active. Crash.
- Turned FR off. Crash.

Maybe a reinstall is the solution. - Will try later.

Pages will NOT open an AW 6.2.8 file. It has to be opened & saved in 6.2.9 first.

MarinerWrite will open the older AW file as text, but with the coding gobbledy-gook.
The 6.2.8 file can be "printed" to a postscript file, and Acrobat converts to pdf OK.

Sorry to bother everyone with all this. Sorting out the options.

I tried AW 6.2.9 on my Pismo, OS 10.3.9. WORKS FINE! Opened the 6.2.8 file & converted. Entries in old or new files work ok.

As long as the Pismo works, I can get at files as necessary. Will just leave the older OS on it.
Whew!!

An update - I copied AW to my MBPro, which has Leopard from early 2008. Seems to work, though I haven't spent time with all the modules. Word processing doesn't crash. Apparently some conflict on my desktop machine. I have the "Trash Recent Files" plugin for AW. Ran it, but it still crashes on my desktop. (I think the "Trash Recent Files" plugin dumps aliases of "recent files." - Doesn't trash the originals.)

Didn't have to do a true install on the Leopard computer. Just networked the 2 machines and drag-copied the whole AW folder to laptop. AW opened right away when I tried.

I always worried that AppleWorks would not make the transition to the latest O/S or Intel Mac, but I'm running AW 6.2.9 on a Dual CoreDuo in 10.5.8, and I never, ever, never have any problem with it.

AppleWorks is certainly one of the greatest software bargains ever --read the reviews of it at Amazon-- and I'm about to do a sheet-music cover design with it now.

Isn't it amazing that the core functionality of many older apps still works. (Sometimes wonder why so many newer ones are more complex than a user might need or want for basic work.)

(Recently followed a Finale discussion with 82 posts & 2615 views regarding the need/desire for a version focused on notation only, and other simpler features. Lots of folks just want to do some of the basics easily & fast, as they used to.)

You mean like Sibelius, Mrs. Disler?

No offense, but Sibelius just doesn't have the flexibility & sophistication I need for classic guitar notation. The Finale Forum contributors - many of whom are pro engravers (I'm not) - say the same thing. Just a personal, practical choice.

Finale works beautifully. The Forum discussion had to do with the numerous extras that are installed, and are not needed by many engraving-only folks. (Coordination with video or film, studio "controls" interface, etc., etc.) A lively, but inconclusive discussion.

Sibelius is obviously a great app for the purposes of lots of folks. We just make the choices needed for personal work.