Cross-Platform

Thoughts: Many new computer users are just learning how to create and print documents on their own computer (basic publishing). That is wonderful but is now considered a very basic computer skill and it is accepted that every computer user can do that. Publishing a piece of paper today is just the "beginning" of effective computer use and Publishing has taken on many expanded meanings. A printed piece of paper is fast being replaced by an electronic image on the screen. The computer, with a modem or wide-band connection, now can be connected to "the world". It's effectiveness is literally expanding "exponentially" every day. Web sites, chat rooms, information retrieval, news, weather, email communication, etc. are the norm for a person in touch with the "modern" world. With the connection of one's computer to "the world", the issues of this page become apparent. It is important to learn How to talk to one another using another creative tool!

Further "cross-platform" issues arise when dealing with "older" systems and newer systems. (If one is still using PC-DOS, or Macintosh System 6.x there will be no attempt to address their problems here.) For the older computers, a computer upgrade and a system upgrade is necessary to "talk to other computers" effectively. (A "Model T" is beautiful, if restored, but certainly does not have the same usefulness as a current "Taurus"! Can't travel the freeway with the "Model T" - wasn't designed for it!)

There is even the issue of Windows 3.1 and Macintosh System 7.0 as being "out of date" and in need of System upgrades. If one is using either of these operating systems, the electronic world, with "cross-platform" issues, is leaving them behind and I suggest a system upgrade to "as new an operating system as your computer will accept".

The "modern" issue of "cross-platform" compatibility concerns computer users that are using at least Windows 95 and later, or Macintosh System 7.5 or later. (Windows 97/98 and Mac OS 8.1 are the current "modern systems" but not the most advanced systems.) Some of these compatibility issues are not easily addressed since many "Windows world" users, generally, just by sheer numbers of users, do not consider that there is a problem, but the Macintosh user (IMO, still with the superior computer and system) is expected to make all the adjustments if "cross-platform" communications are to be accomplished.

(For Mac People)
1. Some Macintosh computer users "sell out" and change computers. (They usually are never satisfied with the Windows machine purchased because does not have the ease of use of the Mac - native Windows users are not aware of the Macintosh ease of use.);

2. Some Mac users try to use the attempts at running Windows applications on a Macintosh by using programs like "Soft Windows", etc. (Running one operating system on top of another is not a good practice and only slows the users computer to a "snail's pace" and involves purchasing additional Windows software - Soft Windows plus each application program that one hopes to run - and much-much more RAM memory since the attempt is to have "two computers in one".); while

3. Some Mac users keep their superior computer and put up with the narrow-mindedness of the Windows users by learning how to use applications like "MacLink Plus" and the new "Microsoft Office 98" translators for exchange of information with their Windows friends while waiting to see where things actually will go. "Is the Mac dead?" is a constant questions in their mind. "Should I do it just because it seems like everyone else does it?" is a question that has challenged the character of every person in everything from "moral behavior" to, now, "computer choice". (Each person has to answer that for him/herself.)

4.The recommendation here is that the serious Macintosh user is so aware of the superior quality of his/her computer that s/he is unwilling to give it up and will learn to use the necessary tools to make "cross-platform" communications effectively.

Cross Platform / Cross Computer file transfers will work as long as some ground rules are established.

NOTE: Just having everyone using the same computer type (i.e. all Window 95/97/98 based, or all Mac OS 8.1/8.5.1/9.0 based) does not assure compatitility and the ability to open files sent over the internet. More important are the issues that are constantly in front of every experience computer user.

1. The Program/Application(s) used to create the file!!

It is Recommended here to establish standard application program that will be used in "cross-platform" communications - Microsoft Word (latest version) is recommended for word processing, Microsoft Excel is recommended for Spreadsheet operations, and FileMaker Pro is recommended for cross-platform DataBase operations amonge multiple users. (Two friends can use any application they want if the both have the same application.)

See Microsoft Office 98 (Microsoft Word 98 is available as a stand alone application from any software reseller), Microsoft Office 2000, and FileMaker Pro (Microsoft Access, the standard DataBase in the PC world, is not available for the Macintosh)

Any computer user (Windows or Mac, no difference) that does not send files to another person using one of the above applications, should not expect positive results with the files.

2. The Fonts used on the creating computer and on the receiving computer!

The Fonts used in creating the files must be standard fonts for effective "cross-platform" exchanges (or any exchange between computer users). If non-standard fonts are used, this must be indicated and the receiver must acquire the proper font for effective viewing of the received file.

Microsoft has many free fonts available for download that address this problem (this is not a problem if one becomes aware of the computer process).

Establish a list of acceptible fonts to be used in electronic communications when sending files.

The World Wide Web is the best "cross-platform" device available. Learning to use the web and to construct web pages properly, may be the future of good cross-platform solutions. The hyperlinks technics are already appearing in the newer word processing programs and I expect there will be a great increase of "web technics" in future application programs.

Another, becoming common, application for cross-platform transfer is Adobe Acrobat Reader. Check it out and learn to use the files that you receive on your computer when you download them. The creator application is very expensive but everyone should have the "FREE" Reader application!