We recently installed an Ethernet network. Enabling AppleTalk caused problems
for the staff who had more than one device connected to the serial ports of
their Macs. I ordered inexpensive switch boxes from Mac Warehouse for some of
these staff members. A two switch box was $19.95; four switches were $29.95.
These are on the Cables and Adapters pages in the Mac Warehouse catalogs. The
staff seem to be happy with them; not as happy as they were when they didn't
need to switch, but far happier than when they needed to physically unplug
devices.
The only problem we had was with a LaserWriter Select. We kept getting a
"serial port is in use" message. That was solved by a freeware product called
CommCloser. CommCloser was created for telecommunications programs that don't
have a way to free serial ports. It works great for this problem, too.
TyAnn
TyAnn Morehead, PK-12 Technology Coordinator
New Hampton (Iowa, USA) Schools
V: 515-394-3982; F: 515-394-2921; E: tyannm@aol.com
President-Elect, Iowa Computer Using Educators (ICUE)
ICUE World-Wide-Web URL:
www.jefferson-scranton.k12.ia.us/icue/icuehp.htm