In article <231020021958487156%gwestonREMOVE@CAPSattbi.com>, Greg Weston wrote: > In article , Joel > wrote: > > > Is there a faq for Appletalk somewhere? (I couldn't find it.) > > > > Can AT be used for file-sharing between Apple IIs? > > Or do you need a Mac as file server? > > > > Can it be used to share files with Windows machines? > > Once on ebay I saw an AppleTalk card for an IBM. > > You actually saw a LocalTalk card. LocalTalk is a physical networking > layer, analogous to Ethernet. AppleTalk is a suite of communication > protocols. File sharing is accomplished by a member of that suite known > as AFP - the Apple (or AppleTalk) File Protocol. So the card you saw > would let an IBM with appropriate slots join an existing LocalTalk > network, but you'd still need a common network file system protocol > that travels over those wires. > > G Ah, revisionist history, how quaint! ;o) AppleTalk PC cards (part no. M2050, 1986) connected to Appletalk networks. LocalTalk PC cards (part no. M2313, 1986/1987) connected to LocalTalk hardware in Phase II AppleTalk networks. The term "AppleTalk" was correct for the physical layer and the protocol stack (as well as for the network in its entirety) in Phase I AppleTalk networks. Both cards work in either an AppleTalk (phase I) or LocalTalk (phase II) network configuration (and are essentially the same card). The term LocalTalk is retrofitted onto phase I networks for convenience but the card, the box, and all the documentation still refer to AppleTalk, not LocalTalk hardware. Since I have both an AppleTalk PC card and a LocalTalk PC card I will venture that the OP did, in fact, see an Appletalk card for an IBM on ebay. ;o)