Lotus/IBM Smart Suite question...

[leoblob]

Two of the programs I use the most on a day-to-day basis are (Lotus) AmiPro 3.01 for WIN3.1 (word processing), and Lotus Approach 3.02 for WIN3.1 (database). These run OK under WIN98SE, but not perfect.

I assume there's newer versions of the Smart Suite... does anyone know if I can import my current files authored from these much older versions into a newer version (if it exists)?

[hausman]

The WordPro in the current version of SmartSuite recognizes file extentions SAM, SMM and STY as AmiPro documents, macros and styles. I don't know about Approach because I didn't install that feature when I installed SmartSuite. You could call or e-mail Lotus and ask them http://lotus.com/products/product2.nsf/wdocs/sshome

[leoblob]

Thanks! This is great info to get me started.

[jdhurst]

AmiPro was good in its time (I used it), but I did not like WordPro at all. I converted to Word starting with Office 95 and found that succeeding versions get better. I like Word 2003 that I use currently with Windows XP Pro. There is a file - ami332.cnv - that can be found on the Internet with Google. I put it in the Office11 folder, and it will at least convert text in .SAM files to Word. Not great, but it got me over a hump some years ago until I converted. ... JD Hurst

[leoblob]

I didn't like the first version of WordPro either. In fact, I returned that version of Smart Suite and got my money back. So now it's a decade later, and I'm still using AmiPro.

I use Word 97 when I have to (like I need to edit a client-supplied file) and I don't like it... but the world has pretty much gone to Word, so what can you do??

Thanks a lot for the info on the file to convert .SAM files! That will be very helpful no matter what direction I go in.

[leoblob]

The WordPro in the current version of SmartSuite recognizes file extentions SAM, SMM and STY as AmiPro documents, macros and styles. I don't know about Approach because I didn't install that feature when I installed SmartSuite.

Don't know if anyone is interested, but I spent some time on the Lotus/Approach message board, and it looks like the current version of Approach ( v9.8 ) cannot reliably import & convert applications created in Approach 3.02 (which is what I have). You need to convert the application to Approach 97 first.

Gives me something to think about, at least.

[leoblob]

Update...

It's now over a year later. I FOUND a conversion program that works for AmiPro

I have SUCCESSFULLY converted AmiPro 3.01 files to Word 97! (All running under WIN2K)

If anyone is interested in this file (it's a 269 KB executable), please PM me and I will send it to you.

BTW, both AmiPro and Approach are rock solid under WIN2K... none of the problems I had running these under WIN98SE.