There are options when recompiling the Linux kernel to allow you to talk to Mac's. This is from the help file:
---------------------
AppleTalk is the way Apple computers speak to each other on a
network. If your Linux box is connected to such a network and you
want to join the conversation, say Y. You will need to use the
netatalk package so that your Linux box can act as a print and file
server for Macs as well as access AppleTalk printers. Check out
http://threepio.hitchcock.org/cgi-bi...etatalk/faq.pl on the WWW
for details (to browse the WWW, you need to have access to a machine
on the Internet that has a program like lynx or netscape). EtherTalk
is the name used for AppleTalk over Ethernet and the cheaper and
slower LocalTalk is AppleTalk over a proprietary Apple network using
serial links. EtherTalk and LocalTalk are fully supported by Linux.
General information about how to connect Linux, Windows machines and
Macs is on the WWW at
http://www.eats.com/linux_mac_win.html
The NET-3-HOWTO, available via FTP (user: anonymous) in
ftp://metalab.unc.edu/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO contains valuable
information as well.
This driver is also available as a module ( = code which can be
inserted in and removed from the running kernel whenever you want).
The module is called appletalk.o. If you want to compile it as a
module, say M here and read Documentation/modules.txt. I hear that
the GNU boycott of Apple is over, so even politically correct people
are allowed to say Y here.
---------------------
BTW.. your old MAC might run Linux too:
http://www.mklinux.org