Software between XP and Mac

[xdarkangelle]

I just bought a Powerbook G4 and have a few questions regarding software issues. I bought it mainly to edit with Final Cut, but am finding more and more that I may need to make this my main computer.

From what I understand is that if a file ends with ".exe" it is a Windows application and does not run in mac. Does that mean if a piece of software for example Final Draft 6.0 works that with XP and Mac, if I installed it on a my PC first it will only run with a PC? I also have adobe photo shop that was loaded onto XP first and then when I try it with the mac only a ".exe" setup is there.

Also my printer is a HP 656c, before I bought the mac I was told that any printer will work. So, I hooked the USB cord to the Mac without installing anything and it read there was printer, but unlike XP it wanted software. Though when I tried to load the software it only contains ".exe" setup.

Does this mean I must buy new software so that it will work on my mac? Also for those with Office X, does a word document made on a PC transfer to a Mac and then back again?

Thanks for reading my newbie questions!

 

[HenMaster6000]

If your software came with a mac version you have to install that version. .Exe files do not run on Macs. Period. Unless you also own virtual PC and are willing to deal with slow speeds I suggest you find a new piece of mac software. I believe photoshop is sent in only mac/ only pc boxes but if you want to switch they will send you a new one for free. For the printer, OS X usually has all the drivers but if it happens to want one go to HP's website and they will be there. Yes, you need to buy new software to run on your mac. All office documents are compatible with PCs and Macs.

 

[Counterfit]

Office docs work on both platforms, and you will have to get new versions of most of those apps, because many companies do not make hybrid CD's like Blizzard does, either because of space or because they want to squeeze more money out of you.

 

[solvs]

Final Draft will work on Macs and PCs, because it a hybrid disk. It's got both versions on it. But I think you can only run it on 3 computers (Mac or PC) at a time. You'll need to call them to run it on more. Virtual PC will run some PC programs, but yes, very slowly.

Adobe will do a cross platform upgrade. Again, you may want to call them. You'll have to buy Office for OS X, but you're files will be compatible. Actually Textedit in Panther (OS 10.3) can read some .docs and Keynote can read Powerpoint, though I'm not sure how well.

I'm still stuck on 10.2.

BTW, If you're an educator or in school, you can get HUGE education discounts.

 

[onealc]

Office files back and forth

I have Office 2003 on my PC at work and Office X on my Pbook at home and I haven't had one translation issue back and forth. I use Excel, PPt, and Word very often and they go back and forth easily. Sometimes there is a clip art issue - some resizing of graphics on a slide I did on the PC looks bigger/smaller/shifted on the Mac and vice versa. But, other than that, it's fine.

 

[xdarkangelle]

Thanks for all the info! My Final Draft is finally installed and I will be buying Office X.

Thanks again.