What software will support a MAC

Thomul · #1 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 07:22 PM

I need to buy some software for my pro 164. I have a MAC computer and I would like to know what if any software will work best. Jackson County Kansas City Missoui

grumpy_hermit · #2 (**permalink**) 03-16-2009, 05:35 AM

As far as I know, there is no such software for Macs. I use VMware Fusion to run Windows XP to run WIN500. It is a rather expensive proposition just to program my scanners but hey, if it wasn't that, it would be something else trying to free me of my money.

Thomul · #3 (**permalink**) 03-16-2009, 05:08 PM

Thanks I will give that a try.

eastrocks400 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-21-2009, 06:46 PM

I am having the same issues... but when i run windows on mac its slow. Is there a software anyone knows of made for mac?? Thanks

AlabamaRS · #5 (**permalink**) 03-21-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastrocks400

I am having the same issues... but when i run windows on mac its slow. Is there a software anyone knows of made for mac?? Thanks

NO, there is NONE

oldsarge · #6 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 05:45 PM

Then maybe some MAC users that know how to program a MAC can get started OR better yet, the companies that have software out for the PC should start porting over to the MAC. There are a lot of MAC users out here. I just switched over to a MAC and like they say "if you go MAC, you won't go back". How true. If you haven't tried it, don't knock it. I have software that can run most Windows stuff or I could just install Windows in a small partition and have both worlds at my fingertips. No more garbage taking up space or scratching my head when I uninstall something.

mikey60 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsarge

Then maybe some MAC users that know how to program a MAC can get started OR better yet, the companies that have software out for the PC should start porting over to the MAC. There are a lot of MAC users out here. I just switched over to a MAC and like they say "if you go MAC, you won't go back". How true. If you haven't tried it, don't knock it. I have software that can run most Windows stuff or I could just install Windows in a small partition and have both worlds at my fingertips. No more garbage taking up space or scratching my head when I uninstall something.

Buy a MAC and compiler for me and I'll see what I can do to port over PSREdit300...

Mike

oldsarge · #8 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey60

Buy a MAC and compiler for me and I'll see what I can do to port over PSREdit300...

Mike

Yeah, ok, you betcha. I've looked at every piece of software available and they are all Windows compatible. Fortunately for us MAC users, we also have Intel processors and can either install a copy of Windows or use other software to run Windows software as if it were on a PC. You can't do that the other way around. One of the reasons I bought a MAC was to be able to use software I bought for the PC, although there is quite an impressive library of software for the MAC as well. Just not scanning software YET. Your MAC and compiler will be on the way as soon as you send me your mailing address and qualifications.

oldsarge · #9 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey60

Buy a MAC and compiler for me and I'll see what I can do to port over PSREdit300...

Mike

Yeah, ok, you betcha. I've looked at every piece of software available and they are all Windows compatible. Fortunately for us MAC users, we also have Intel processors and can either install a copy of Windows or use other software to run Windows software as if it were on a PC. You can't do that the other way around. One of the reasons I bought a MAC was to be able to use software I bought for the PC, although there is quite an impressive library of software for the MAC as well. Just not scanning software YET. Your MAC and compiler will be on the way as soon as you send me your mailing address and qualifications.

j0nnyb1aze · #10 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsarge

Then maybe some MAC users that know how to program a MAC can get started OR better yet, the companies that have software out for the PC should start porting over to the MAC. There are a lot of MAC users out here. I just switched over to a MAC and like they say "if you go MAC, you won't go back". How true. If you haven't tried it, don't knock it. I have software that can run most Windows stuff or I could just install Windows in a small partition and have both worlds at my fingertips. No more garbage taking up space or scratching my head when I uninstall something.

I have tried MAC, and yes, I went back. Sure MACs tend to be more user friendly, but the compatibility issues alone turn me away. As far as performance goes, they're about equal, so long as you compare apples to apples, and know how to properly configure your computer.

oldsarge · #11 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j0nnyb1aze

I have tried MAC, and yes, I went back. Sure MACs tend to be more user friendly, but the compatibility issues alone turn me away. As far as performance goes, they're about equal, so long as you compare apples to apples, and know how to properly configure your computer.

You are correct. There's a lot more software available for the PC than MACs, but for ease of use, and no crashes, blue screens, uninstall issues (registry), and virus's, you can't beat a MAC. I've had problems with every PC I've owned since I started using Windows95. I should have switched a lot sooner. Now I don't worry about crashes and residuals left behind when uninstalling software. As for the PC I can say I've been there and done that. I still have my notebook for Windows applications the MAC won't chew on. I'm going to try installing and using various scanner software packages. I think they will work fine with one exception. The cable(s) may not work. But then that's why I have a desktop replacement notebook. Life's too short now to screw around with Microsoft's continuous updates and upgrades.

KI6ABZ · #12 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey60

Buy a MAC and compiler for me and I'll see what I can do to port over PSREdit300...

Mike

I had a Mac Mini for about 6 months (Yes, I am one who DID go back.)

OS X supports Mono, which is a version of the .Net framework for the Mac. SharpDevelop is free, and it can target .Net on Windows or Mono. Porting a C++ program over to C# shouldn't be all that hard. Visual Studio also works fine, if you already have it.

http://www.icsharpcode.net/OpenSource/SD/

The bigger challenge might be getting data in and out of the scanner. I don't know if the Radio Shack/GRE interface has Mac drivers available; it's pretty much a basic serial to USB adapter, so there may already be generic drivers for OS-X available. The older level converter that used a 9-pin serial port could probably also work, if you can find a USB to Serial adapter that works with OS-X.

In theory, a well-written .Net app can run just fine on Mono, but most people don't think about writing OS-agnostic code, so they'll do things like hardcoding path names, rather than using the constants in the System.IO namespace.

natrixgli · #13 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 04:58 PM

Hi,

You might be able to use Wine on the OS X to run PSREdit300 which will support your scanner. I was able to get it working on Ubuntu Linux using Wine 1.1.7 (with Wine configured to 'pretend' to be Windows 2000.)

You can get Wine here: WineHQ - Run Windows applications on Linux, BSD and Mac OS X

Here's some instructions for installing Wine on Mac: MacOSX/Installing - The Official Wine Wiki

Currently the stable version of Wine is 1.0.1, which does NOT work with the RadioShack USB->Serial cable, so I needed to use a development version, 1.1.7

Cheerio,

-n8