Macworld Forums

Wouldn't it be interesting to know how many Mac users have gone through the entire range of systems Apple has ever developed and how many have come on board with say, system 7, 8 and 9 and X? Does Macworld have such a poll already since thirs seems to start with system 7 and only onsiders curren use?

mac_sag,

I have owned Macs since System 7.0, but have used a Classic with System 6.something, with the optional Multifinder (so that you could use more than one application at a time (imagine...)

IIRC, Systems 1 - 3 or thereabouts were pre-testing. The original Mac 128 came with OS 3.2 and Finder 5.3

Have a browse at www.apple-history.com

It's very interesting if youy like that sort of thing.

mac_sag,

the first Mac I bought came with OS 6, which seemed more advanced than the OS I had encountered on another Mac that I used to use for work and which introduced me to the world of Mac when I played with it's extra features during free time ( except when my boss pulled rank and insisted on playing Crystal Quest on it ).

I can't remember which version of the OS that older Mac II was running under.

andybarton,

The original Mac and the Fat Mac both came with System 1.0, but could go up to 3.2. MultiFinder was on the system disc from 4.2 so had been around for a while before it became standard.

JP.

Apple Certified System Administrator

andybarton,
Thaks a lot. Sounds very interesting, isn't it? Will catch up with you later on if I don't get pegged down by the party I'm going to! Best regards to you all who have replied!

AlanAudio,
Thanks for the info. Gotta get to a party now . Will link up later if still sober enough (Ssh!)

mac_sag,
Are you saying that your party is more important / interesting than following the thread that you started yourself!
Meanwhile I have expereinced Mac extensively since sys 6 days but also really from the time of launch.
Using X.3.9 on latest 17 in power book I must say that I still have mixed feelings about Mac OS X (like many others I hope!). If you ignore the fluffy candy floss appearence (deliberately provocative here !) what I miss on OS X as opposed to OS 9 is the access to the system, control over it and customisation options within the interface thru INITs and Extentions etc. (before you start commenting on getting down to root BSD level in OS X).
I understand about progress, system stability and so on but there is something to be said about a car that you can enjoy driving and also work on for a hobby. I am not sure that the creativity of mac users has gone up from the days of the OS 9 and so what is the point of the new system? Do you know what I mean?!
Best Wishes

ecodoc999,

"...but there is something to be said about a car that you can enjoy driving and also work on for a hobby..."

I agree, but not for important everyday use. When I come out on a cold & wet morning rushing to work, I don't want to have to get out the toolkit first. IMHO, if someone wants to tinker around with a computer as a hobby, then they should get a Windows PC. If they want a reliable workhorse that will earn them money, then get a Mac.

Cynic,
Just seen Star Wars yesterday so must quote polemics like 'for one person to be right another does not have to be wrong'
You realised ofcourse that I was referring to the VW Beatle in my analogy above. Highly drivable and good to work on (equally quite obsolete -- I know I know).
Point is my wife uses OS9 on her computer --as a development economist to change the world whilst I use OS X simply to earn money (ha ha!). When her computer breaks down I can fix it in my sleep. When my computer does I am back on this forum looking up previous posts.
Does this say more about me than OS X.
Should I change my psychiatrist.
I await your response.

ecodoc999,

I was referring to the Jaguar MKII 3.4. Lovely car to drive, but not one to have to try to fix in a rush.

"Does this say more about me than OS X." Yes.

"Should I change my psychiatrist." Psychiatrists are only figments of the imagination.

Cynic,
...and yes with reference to windoz... Touche!
and 'Touche' again for the Jag analogy though owning a Jag subscribes to the capitalist system more than any self respecting mac user would / should confess to.
My kids 'have to use' windoz, ironically my interest in system level fixes from pre OS X days on Macs gives me the confidence to sort out windows in a way that PC users will never attempt! Another great benefit from OX 9 and before

ecodoc999,
"equally quite obsolete -- I know I know"
FYI I don't miss a single thing about 9, I do remember saving everything I did every couple of keystrokes because the crash was envitable!
BTW
I drive a 33 yr old beetle everyday, I love driving it, hate working on it!, that said I've only replaced two exhausts, one speedo cable and one pushrod tube in 10 yrs.(brakes oil etc excepted)
Must be a design thing...............a bit like a Mac OS and the complete opposite to windozzz. I am often accused of brand loyalty in the extreme, I am because the two brands I've chosen work and work and work and............................

ecodoc999,

"though owning a Jag servers the capitalist system more than any self respecting mac user would / should confess to."

Careful....

JP.

Apple Certified System Administrator

J.P.,
...and when did the revolution end?

First Mac I used was a Mac Plus, 1MB. 1986/7. It had a Kitchen Planning program on it, by Microspot. I believe I was the only person in the company to actually plan a kitchen on it. In fact I planned two. (Both were mine!! )

I don't recall what system software was on the Pluses, but I do know that MultiFinder was very new. I remember thinking that AppleTalk was rubbish - I couldn't get the machine to talk at all!

I cadged a copy of Excel 1 from an accountant, and I used that to do extraordinary things, with Excel's macro language - a superbly easy language to use. Mshaft ruined Excel when they changed to VacuousBasic - you can keep it.

I had the system, excel and my documents on one 800k floppy. Also used MacWrite, Mac Paint, and a copy of Microsoft File. The only half decent database that Microshaft have ever produced!

I became hooked on Macs - even contemplated buying an SE30 in '88. But I couldn't get one for myself until 1991, when I made my second biggest purchase ever up to then, an LC with the 12" monitor and a StyleWriter. System 6. 7 a few months later. Re-mortgaged the house to buy 8mb of RAM!!!

Then every system since on various machines. But for elegance and simplicity, that Mac Plus was the best.

mac_sag,
I started on OS9 then progressed through the X's. I have now amassed a collection of old Macs running nearly all the operating systems, currently: 1.1, 2.0, 3.2, 4.0, (there was no system 5) 6.0.3, 6.0.8, 7- lots, 8.1, 8.6, 9.1, 9.2.2. all the 10's. I would like to get my hands on some of the Rhapsody releases, one of which was designed to run on x86 hardware.