Connecting two iMacs for file transfer

[dfaulks]

The wish is to be able to transfer files in both directions.

A new iMac is connected to the Internet; it has an extremely fast processing speed and is used for processing movies and sound files, plus email and web searching, etc.

The other is a 2009 model; it is NOT connected to the Internet but has Applications that I still wish to use (familiar and easier-to-use earlier version of Pages and Keynote which seem terribly awkward in today's versions). As well, it is capable of driving my colour printer, one which is not compatible with the newer OS.

Currently, I have to use a flash drive … plug in and load … unplug and download to the other computer.
Surely, there must be a way to drag back and forth …?

Thanks,

Dick

 

[chas_m]

The wish is to be able to transfer files in both directions.

There are a variety of options, but given the fact that the 2009 model is not on the Internet you're probably down to "network them together using Ethernet." If the 2009 model was connected to your home Wi-Fi network, you could (presuming the older machine is capable of running one of the recent macOS versions) use AirDrop:

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT203106

If the older machine is not capable of running any of the last three OS versions, there is an alternative called DropCopy (free for up to three machines):

http://10base-t.com/macintosh-software/dropcopy/

And of course if the 2009 was capable of safely being on the internet I'd suggest something like Dropbox (et al).

but has Applications that I still wish to use (familiar and easier-to-use earlier version of Pages and Keynote which seem terribly awkward in today's versions).

Come to the General meeting on Wednesday and find out why you're wrong about this.

(But seriously, it's just re-arranged furniture -- everything you want to do is in the new version, it's a simple matter of getting used to the new navigation. At some point, your older machine will stop working and the old version of Pages will break, so better to get used to the "new" one now while you still have the ability to use both it and the older versions on the current OS ...)

Cheers
Chas