My R&D time at the moment is being filled with
playing Camp Grandma. working, and setting up the new iMac, so I thought I would
throw this out to the list in the event someone else might try this in a more
timely fashion than myself.
My Windows 98 computer developed a problem with the
motherboard and there does not seem to be a compatible replacement on the market
today. Bummer! It is just a matter of time before my Windows XP
computers suffer the same fate.
True, the new version of Mac OS10.5 (Leopard) has
an included utility called Bootcamp that will let you install a Windows
operating system. However, it is sort of clunky because you need to reboot
each time you want to swith operating systems.
I believe there is a better alternative called
Parallels for Mac Desktop. You can download a free 2-week trial or pay $79
to keep it. This software allows one to run virtual operating systems from
the Mac Desktop without rebooting. They talk about Windows XP
and Windows Vista, but it will also run Windows 95 down through DOS6.2. Lynux,
and some other operating systems. You can install as many virtual
operating systems as you want. If you choose setting up a virtual drive to
less than 32G it will format it using the FAT32 - which is compatible with those
dkvutilities. You can also connect a USB Floppy drive to copy or read
Pianosoft disks.
It is my thought that this virtual drive will run
the Giebler utilities and gnmidi programs. Remember to to also load some
virus protection software on your virtual drives if you use
Windows!
For those still running Windows XP, there is a free
(?) program called DOSBOX that will run older DOS utilities - probably the
Giebler. Most people use this software to run their favorite older
versions of games that are no longer available. I suspect it works on
Windows Vista as well.
I must admit the new 24-inch iMac is the most
elegant computer I have ever owned. ; I will probably buy a Mac laptop as
well next year. By then the MarkIV Disklaviers will be able to
record audio. Eventually I will figure out the web software to update my
website and would like to include using Macs with Disklaviers.
Let me know if anyone gets these things to
work!
Carol Beigel