Apple to Slam Lid on Mac OS 9

[Macguru]

A tweak to new models in its Macintosh line of desktop and portable computers will prevent booting into Mac OS 9, sources said, leaving the Unix-based Mac OS X as the sole operating system.

Full story [eweek.com].

[rjohara]

I'm really disappointed to hear that, and I think Steve J is off on a wrong track. I'm a die-hard Mac user from the Mac Plus days, and do all my web development on a Mac (and used to run my server with MacHTTP). I just got a new eMac (yay), and it has been my first experience with OS X. I've tried three times to use it, even for basic tasks, and have found it such a complete violation of the conventions I've followed for 15 years that I gave up in utter frustration. It is painful for me to say that, but that has been the experience. It's not a matter of adding new features, which is fine, it's a matter of making 15-year-old commands do something completely different. When I typed command-N on the desktop (if it is the desktop) and something other than creating a new folder happened (I don't know what it was) -- that was the first time I gave up. Then I moved some files and OS X wouldn't reboot. So then I reinstalled it and now have two copies on the machine and can't figure out how to uninstall them. (I want to uninstall X entirely and just use 9. The 9 disk has an uninstall option, but the X disk doesn't. Grrrr.)

This is painful to say, but I think X needs a major interface overhaul, one that restores many of the conventional behaviors. This in no way prevents advanced features from being added -- I think the design shows a lack of imagination in how to build something new while capitalizing on the existing knowledge that users have.

Sadly,

RJO

[aaronjf]

rjohara,

I moved to OS X a few month ago and had the same reaction you did to it. It kind of looked like a Mac and kinda smelled like a Mac, but this was not my old Mac OS.

OS X believe it or not was a good move on the part of Apple, although I willl agree Steve Jobs is a fruit cake 99% of the time. OS X is a much much more stable system, infenantely more secure, true mutithread, less virases writen for Unix (darwin), and can be more user friendly believe it or not.

Unfortunately Mac did not make the transition very easy for us. They did not ease us into it at all. It was like we were all doing 90 mph down the highway, and happily going, and Apple decided to turn the bus 90 degrees with out hitting the breaks. Very confusing for long time users. This was Apples biggest downfall in implementing the new system. Not to mention the freaks did not even have the scence to include a manual (ie. this does this, this does this, and oh we moved this and this here). They made a good new system. They just did not help us make the transition. Steve Jobs in this sence put the cart before the horse.

I would recommed the book "Mac OS X, The Missing Manual, The book that shoud have been in the box" by David Pogue, Pogue Press O'Rielly. It will explain why Mac moved to a Unix based system (darmin) and where everything went. They even show you how to get into the Unix shell and play around (Be carefull though, you can do a lot of damage quick).

Trust me, I started with an apple IIe long before the invention of a GUI, once you understand the who, what, why, when, and where of OS X you will like it.

[aaronjf]

rjohara,

To get the os X off your drive you need to start up under OS 9. Then through away the system X folder and all the folders associated with OS X. Then boot from the OS 9 disk and do a clean renstall.

[mivox]

A tweak to new models in its Macintosh line of desktop and portable computers will prevent booting into Mac OS 9

Ahh... Oh well. Refurbished macs are cheaper anyhow. Either that, or I could order an eMac tomorrow, just to get in under the deadline.

[Macguru]

I seems they are presently taking the first step. Some agency bought a few new twin G4 last week. They shipped with both Jaguar and Mac OS 9 pre installed, but no Mac OS 9 CD in sight ...

Just back from Apple's site. Mac OS 9 is no longer on the shelves.

[EliteWeb]

At first I didn't like the concept of not having OS 9 but when I went to install OS X somehow Mac OS 9 didn't make it on the hard disk. I took the time to learn the new OS to its fullest and of course got into the console inside and out :) I love MAC OS X now, adapts both the technical advantages of UNIX and the Macintosh in one system.

[Macguru]

You are right. This OS is great. But I believe Apple could get hurt by trying to force it down users throats.

For instance lets use Photoshop 7. Adobe shipped a Mac OS X version all right, but most plug-ins still lag behind...

I feel they are getting a bit too pushy.

[Macguru]

Updated :

Apple Announces Mac OS X-Only Booting for 2003 [biz.yahoo.com]

[txbakers]

I remember feeling the same way when OS 7 was introduced with all kinds of new features. I was conviced that 7 was the end of Apple. I stayed with 6 for the longest time until it was impossible to work with it any longer.

Some people just don't like having their cheese moved.

[Macguru]

txbakers,

I have a public confession to make. I still use system 1 when I have some nostalgia fit.

My Mac 128k boots faster from a 800 k floppy than my G4 from a SCSI raid... *BLUSH*

[txbakers]

128K? Computers don't have 128K! Must be a misprint.

Told to me in 1984 by a then computer wizard.

[mivox]

Some people just don't like having their cheese moved.

Exactly. Put the new cheese on the shelf, and I will get around to trying it when I darn well want to.... but don't try to tell me it's the only cheese I'm allowed to have.