Mac Os 8

Apple Mac OS 8 was another major overhaul of the OS from the earlier Mac OS 7.It added a new Platinum visual theme, a multi threaded Finder, better virtual memory, and many customization options. 8.5 and later require a PPC CPU. Mac OS 8.5 Main article: Mac OS 8.5. Released October 17, 1998, Mac OS 8.5 was the first version of the Mac OS to run solely on Macintosh computers equipped with a PowerPC processor, as such it removed some but not all of the Motorola 68000 code, improving system performance. It was the first version to include the Sherlock search tool. Released October 17, 1998, Mac OS 8.5 was the first version of the Mac OS to run solely on Macs equipped with a PowerPC processor. Download iTunes 12.8.2 for Mac This update resolves an issue that may prevent iTunes from playing media to third-party AirPlay speakers. It also includes minor app and performance improvements. The 'classic' Mac OS is the original Macintosh operating system that was introduced in 1984 alongside the first Macintosh and remained in primary use on Macs until the introduction of Mac OS X in 2001. Apple released the original Macintosh on January 24, 1984; its early system software was partially based on the Lisa OS and the Xerox PARC Alto computer, which former Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

Mac Os 8.0

summary

Macintosh OS 8 is a desktop operating system made by Apple Computer that runs on Motorola/IBM PowerPC and Motorola 68040.

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further reading: books on Mac OS 8

iMac

Intended purpose

server/mainframe: small to medium scale servers (with special software)

desktop/workstation: general desktop and content creation workstations

handheld: not appropriate

real time: not appropriate

Kind of OS: proprietary

“An Allegro tweak (probably Mac OS 8.6) will come out in the first quarter of 1999, and Mac OS X will hit the streets in the third quarter of 1999.” —Dennis Sellers, “The X-Files: Rhapsody, Allegro + Sonata = Mac OS 10”^e30

Current Version: 8.6

Cost: $99

System 8.6: IBM/Motorola PowerPC
System 8.5: IBM/Motorola PowerPC
System 8: IBM/Motorola PowerPC, Motorola 68040

680x0 assembly language is discussed in the assembly language section.

Maximum Number of Processors: 4^e114

Number of bits: 32

Kernel: proprietary

POSIX: not supported

Peripherals: “all current Mac hardware, some graphics equipment, and some PC PCI cards” —Kristian Elof Sørensen^w36

File Systems Supported: HFS+, HFS, MFS, Pro-DOS, FAT, FAT32, VFAT, SMB, ISO 9660, hybrid, CD-i, Video CD, Enhanced CD, Kodak PhotoDisk, audio CD, DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-R/W, DVD-RAM

Other Systems Emulated: PowerPC only: MS-DOS (with third party Virtual PC), Windows 3.1 (with third party Virtual PC), Windows 95 (with third party Virtual PC or SoftWindows95), Windows 98 (with third party Virtual PC or SoftWindows98), Windows 2000 (with third party Virtual PC), Red Hat Linux (with third party Virtual PC) — see related software

Graphics Engine: QuickDraw

Text Command Shell: none (although AppleScript provides some text command line capabilities)

User Interface (graphic): Macintosh ToolBox

Graphic Command Shell: Finder

click on the preview image for a larger version

screen shot courtesy of Pat Gunn’s Operating Systems^w59

Other:

“Macs have many advantages: ease of use, integration of OS and hardware, reliability, overall lower cost of ownership over the life of the machine, and, of course, style.” —Why Monopolies Are Bad, by Jeff Adkins^w77

“That Macintosh computers have so many advantages over PCs running Windows 95 should come as no surprise. While Microsoft has spent years trying to imitate the interface and duplicate the features pioneered on the Macintosh in the 1980s, Apple has taken the Macintosh to the next generation of personal computing. This next generation of personal computing, based on RISC processors and component software, means that Macintosh computers bring you more advanced features than PCs running Windows 95, and that those features are easier to use on Macintosh systems.

A 10-year head start is only one reason why Macintosh computers have the edge on PCs running Windows 95. The other reason is that Apple is the only major personal computer company to craft both the hardware and operating system software—together. That makes it easier for Macintosh users to start using new features.” — Apple Computer^w49

After numerous requests for specific recommendations, OSdata.com now includes recommended systems for different kinds of content creation. See each individual web page for the recommendations for each field of content creation.

references

references within this web site

(for your convenience, look for this symbol marking passages about Macintosh)

Music (includes list of professional musicians who use the Macintosh)

further reading: books

If you want your book reviewed, please send a copy to: Milo, POB 1361, Tustin, CA 92781, USA.

Price listings are for courtesy purposes only and may be changed by the referenced businesses at any time without notice.

related hardware

Price listings are for courtesy purposes only and may be changed by the referenced businesses at any time without notice.

We are working on providing a second source.

related software

Price listings are for courtesy purposes only and may be changed by the referenced businesses at any time without notice.

Virtual PC 3.0 with MS-DOS; Connectix; software that allows running MS-DOS software on a PowerPC Macintosh; $74.95

Virtual PC 3.0 with Windows 95; Connectix; software that allows running Windows 95 software on a PowerPC Macintosh; $144.95

Virtual PC 3.0 with Windows 98; Connectix; software that allows running Windows 98 software on a PowerPC Macintosh; $174.95

Virtual PC 3.0 with Red Hat Linux; Connectix; software that allows running Linux software on a PowerPC Macintosh; Linux preconfigured on a software emulation of a Pentium machine, so there is no reformatting of hard drives or installation of Linux; both the Macintosh and Linux running simultaneously on the same computer; $84.95 ($34.95 after mail-in rebate)

Virtual PC for Windows 2000; Connectix; software that allows running Windows 2000 software on a PowerPC Macintosh; $239.95

Also see the summary at Macintosh.

1.1 MB QuickTime movie of Bill Gates explaining why he thinks the Macintosh is the best operating system.

There are three types of computer users:

Those who use Macs
Those who wish they used Macs
Those who don’t know any better

Its a Windows world, and Macintosh users are on the outside looking in…laughing their heads off at all the frozen computers, the anguished faces, the 911 calls to tech support…

“The Atari 520 ST is a serious challenge to the Apple Macintosh and will open up a major fight in the personal computer market.” —1986 advertisement

commentary

support for older machines

Note: Apple has decided that they are no longer going to support hardware more than one or two years old. The Macintosh is the computer of choice in academic settings because schools simply don’t have the budgets to replace their entire hardware every year or two (there are still more Apple IIs in use in schools than any other computer, with the Macintosh being second). The Macintosh used to be the only computer that had a useful lifespan of more than three years. Until recent Apple policies, the latest Macintosh operating system ran on every Macintosh made. If you disagree with this new Apple policy and believe that Apple should return to the previous policy of supporting their entire installed academic base of computers, please send a message to leadership@apple.com or .

OSdata.com is used in more than 300 colleges and universities around the world

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A web site on dozens of operating systems simply can’t be maintained by one person. This is a cooperative effort. If you spot an error in fact, grammar, syntax, or spelling, or a broken link, or have additional information, commentary, or constructive criticism, please e-mail Milo. If you have any extra copies of docs, manuals, or other materials that can assist in accuracy and completeness, please send them to Milo, PO Box 1361, Tustin, CA, USA, 92781.

If you have an extra or unwanted copy of any official manuals or documentation on this operating system, please send them to: Milo, POB 1361, Tustin, CA 92781, USA. I have the following items: NONE.

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Digital UNIX (or DUNIX)

Macintosh

OpenVMS (or OVMS)

This web site handcrafted on Macintosh computers using Tom Bender’s Tex-Edit Plus and served using FreeBSD .

†UNIX used as a generic term unless specifically used as a trademark (such as in the phrase “UNIX certified”). UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Ltd.

Names and logos of various OSs are trademarks of their respective owners.

Last Updated: March 31, 2004

Created: July 14, 2000; derived from Mac.htm created June 22, 1998

Click here to skip over the summaries of individual operating systems.

Mac OS 8 introduced several modern features while still supporting Quadras and 68040-based PowerBooks and Performas.

Apple’s New Mac OS Is Grrrrr-8

The six-inch “8” from that headline adorned the cover of the August 1997 issue of MacAddict magazine. Mac OS 8 had been released five days earlier, on July 26. Included on the magazine’s CD-ROM was a Mac OS 8 Preview Pack that consisted of technology demo presentations and Aaron, a popular shareware extension that let you make System 7.5 through Mac OS 7.6 look like OS 8.

Mac OS 8 was not without anticipation: Aaron had already been applying the Mac OS 8 look to System 7 for years. Because of this anticipation, sales were more brisk than expected. Internet retailer Cyberian Outpost sold more than 2,000 copies in the first four days.

What caused all this commotion? New features, especially the user interface called Apple Platinum.

Here Comes the Bride (of Buster)

Mac OS 8 introduced many new features for Macintosh users. The Finder changes are the first you’ll notice. These changes are deeper than just Apple Platinum; many features that are still part of the Macintosh today made their first appearance in Mac OS 8:

Spring Loaded Folders: Drag a file or folder and then pause, holding it over a folder or disk. After a short delay, the folder or disk will darken, flash, and then open. This process can be repeated over and over until you finally reach your destination. When you drop the file or folder, all the windows that opened snap shut again, leaving only the destination window. Cheryl England, then of MacAddict magazine, described the experience as “[somewhat like] having someone pick up your socks for you.”
Contextual Menus: Holding down Control while clicking activates this new feature. A popup menu appears with appropriate options for the object on which you’re clicking. These are not Windows 95 style right-click menus, either; their contents change dynamically. For example, Empty Trash only appears in the Trash’s Contextual Menu when there’s actually something in the Trash.
Simple Finder and View As Buttons: Despite their famed user-friendliness, Macs sometimes need help being classroom-friendly. With Mac OS 8, AtEase and the Launcher are replaced with this tag-team of simplification features.
Simple Finder turns off all but the most self-evident features of the Finder, making it much harder to accidentally do something destructive. Setting a window to View As Buttons makes all its icons appear inside large, single-click-to-open buttons. Turn on Simple Finder, stick aliases to all your classroom applications on the Desktop, set it to View As Buttons, and you’re set. Kid-friendly and safe.
Multithreaded Finder: With Mac OS 8, you no longer needed to install Speed Doubler just to keep working while files are copying. The Multithreaded Finder of Mac OS 8 allows everything to keep on truckin’, even while you’re copying up a storm. It has a nicer-looking interface than Speed Doubler, too!

Not Just the Interface

There are many other improvements that may not be visible at first blush. Here are some other features that made their debut with Mac OS 8:

Completeness: Mac OS 8 includes almost everything. It builds upon System 7.6’s inclusion of Open Transport PPP by shipping a full suite of Internet connectivity software. Both Netscape and Microsoft’s version 3 browsers are installed by default, along with lots of useful online utilities, such as Stuffit Expander.
Modern Networking: Mac OS 8 was also the first system software version to come with the ability to access printer and file sharing over TCP/IP networks. With the default installation, Mac OS 8 includes everything in my Modern System 7.5 article and more!
HFS+ File System: Mac OS 8.1 debuted the Mac OS Extended file system, also called HFS+. This file system organizes information more efficiently to waste less space on large hard drives. 680×0 Macintosh computers cannot boot from an HFS+ volume, but they can read CD-R disks burned by modern Mac OS X computers. HFS+ support is the strongest argument for using Mac OS 8.1 instead of an updated System 7.5 or 7.6.
Large Volume Support: Working hand in hand with HFS+ is large volume support that actually works. System 7.5.3 and up reportedly support partition sizes up to 2 terabytes. In practice, this capability is almost never realized; virtually all System 7.5 users are limited to 4 GB partitions. Mac OS 8 completely removes this limitation, allowing all supported Macs (Quadras and PowerMacs) to use the largest volumes.
68030 Compatibility: Mac OS 8 is only officially supported on Macs with a 68040 or PowerPC processor, but an unsupported hack removes the limitation. With some effort, Mac OS 8 runs on all 32-bit clean Macintosh computers (including the SE/30 when used with a Mac IIsi or IIfx ROM). On a 25 MHz Macintosh IIci, Mac OS 8 is sluggish but useful.

A Complete Behemoth

While Mac OS 8 really is Grrrrr-8, it’s not an automatic choice for every Mac that can run it.

Due in part to its inclusiveness, Mac OS 8 has a much heftier RAM requirement than previous Mac OS revisions. While System 7.5.5 can be very usable with 16 MB of RAM, 32 MB is a better minimum for Mac OS 8.

Mac OS 8 also requires a great deal more disk space than earlier versions; the default install consumes 120 MB. Installation of larger, newer hard drives into these older Macs is becoming more common, so this isn’t as much of an issue as it was in years past. Still, the space crunch can be a problem for those who haven’t upgraded their hard drives.

Because of the increased RAM and disk requirements, Mac OS 8 is not a good choice for users of stock 68k Macs. While Macs as old as the IIci can run Mac OS 8, their original hard drives are too small for it to fit! Later Quadras shipped with hard drives as large as 1 GB, but the meager RAM that Apple gave them is not enough for Mac OS 8.

Despite these shortcomings, Mac OS 8 can still be a useful addition to your smaller Macintosh. Almost any system with 12 MB RAM and a 68030 will be minimally functional with OS 8. For access to CD-Rs burned by Mac OS X’s Disc Burner utility, only these bare minimum requirements need be met.

Even if your system isn’t big enough to run Mac OS 8 all the time, it can be helpful to keep a copy around.

Closing Thoughts

To prepare for this article, I installed Mac OS 8.1 onto my Mac IIci, an unsupported 68030 Mac that runs at 25 MHz. I configured it with 20 MB of RAM and a 1 GB hard drive, and then I installed the default installation of Mac OS 8 according to Gamba’s directions.

Remember that this system is quite a bit smaller than both Apple’s and my recommendations. While I wouldn’t encourage anyone to run 8.1 on their IIci with less than 32 MB RAM, I found the system to be quite usable – and rather sluggish.

The Finder modernizations in Mac OS 8 are noticeable right away. For users with multibutton mice (such as the Kensington TurboMouse trackball), the contextual menus make for a lot less mousing-around to get to the menu bar. Spring-loaded folders really are as convenient as having your socks picked up for you. Mac OS 8 provides a great user experience.

The broad out-of-the-box compatibility with newer Macs is great, too. Right after the install, I can connect to and browse the Web using Netscape. I can exchange files with my Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger machine without the hassle of long directions and multiple updates.

Simply mounting HFS+ CD-ROMs instead of asking “Can you please reburn this as standard HFS?” is blissful.

While my IIci can’t do it, my Quadra can store hundreds of gigabytes on one partition. System 7 user’s “5 icons for one big partitioned hard drive” syndrome is no more.

All in all, I’d call my IIci with Mac OS 8 experiment a success.

The Final Verdict

For Quadra owners with RAM and hard drive upgrades, Mac OS 8 is a very convenient, modern choice. Users of heavily upgraded II-series Macs will also enjoy it. Even users with smaller Macs can find a reason to boot into Mac OS 8 from time to time.

Don’t forget that the RAM and drives for these older Macs can be gotten very cheaply from many sources, including eBay. If you want to run Mac OS 8 but don’t have the hardware, it can be gotten at minimal cost.

Mac OS 8 is not available for free download, but it can be found in all the usual places. One excellent source is owners of Beige G3 Macs; they shipped with Mac OS 8.1 on CD-ROM. Once again, eBay is also an excellent choice.

Once you’ve acquired a Mac OS 8 CD-ROM, the important 8.1 updater can be downloaded from Apple.

As either your primary system or on a secondary hard drive, Mac OS 8.1 deserves consideration by users of all but the earliest 680×0 Macintosh computers.

Find out what it can do for you.

Keywords: #macos8 #classicmacos

Short link: http://goo.gl/YDup8y

Mac Os 8.0

searchword: macos8

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Mac Os 8

summary

OSdata.com is used in more than 300 colleges and universities around the world

references

references within this web site

further reading: web sites

FAQs

user group web sites

other related web sites

further reading: books

further reading: books: introductory/general

further reading: books: administration

further reading: books: internet

further reading: books: content creation

further reading: books: programming

further reading: books: miscellaneous

related hardware

related software

commentary

support for older machines

OSdata.com is used in more than 300 colleges and universities around the world

home page

peer level

Apple’s New Mac OS Is Grrrrr-8

Here Comes the Bride (of Buster)

Not Just the Interface

A Complete Behemoth

Closing Thoughts

The Final Verdict

Mac Os 8.0