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Attempting to use OS 9 in 2014

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johnodd4


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actually a good read but i wouldn't have used mac os 9 for internet think of it more for using a computer as a computer running word excel powerpoint listening to music watching movies basic things
 
pigoo3

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A pretty interesting article…glad they took the time to write it. Probably more interesting for folks who never used OS 9 natively. I certainly could have told the author of the article in 10 seconds what their conclusions would be.

You can do lots of things on an older Mac computer running OS 9…as long as you don't need to use the internet. Otherwise you can do lots of useful things…word processing, spreadsheet work, page layout, photo editing, etc. Of course as long as someone had access to very old software.

The article is also very good for all of the useful website links (topic specific websites, software, abandonware, etc).

Overall…and interesting read.:)

- Nick
 
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yep this is why we have abandonware sites because if you bought it legally own it and the disk is damaged or corrupted and the product is no longer produced or copyrighted it goes to abandon ware where hobbeist
computer tech geeks can go and play
 
pigoo3

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Ohh yes. I definitely have some original OS 9 (and earlier) compatible software on floppy disk. And if the floppy hasn't degraded over time…the floppy drives in the computers have definitely worn to the point that it doesn't read the floppies correctly (or some of both).

On the other hand…I'm always extremely surprised/pleased to boot up a 20 year-old Mac…pop an OS floppy disk into the floppy drive (or a software floppy)…and the disk mounts on the desktop no problem…and files are read no problem.:)

- Nick
 
harryb2448

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Antiquated? Antiquated?

OS 9 was the bees knees coming from OS 7.0.1, via 7.6..1 and 8.6!
 
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vansmith

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harryb2448 said:
Antiquated? Antiquated?
Click to expand...
As someone who started using Mac OS as of 10.4 and was in high school when OS9 was released, I'm sticking with my word choice. ;)
 
harryb2448

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And no mnention of OS 7.0.1 you ungrateful, spoilt child?
 
dtravis7

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I have a few older macs with OS9 but they are in storage. Time to get one out! :D
 
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My sole exposure to the classic Mac OS was in college back in... oh... 1988? I honestly didn't care for it and thought DOS-based apps were superior for their rapid navigation with keyboard commands (in Lotus, for example). I still miss WordPerfect. *sniffle*
 
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chas_m

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I can still run OS 9 on-demand, thanks to sheepshaver, in Yosemite. I find however, that as time goes by, I have less and less desire to.
 
MBP17•David

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Couple of years ago I caught the retro-computer bug, and thought it would be fun to resurrect an OS/2, as I had some warm and fuzzy memories of that [time] ... turns out it's a pile of old cr@p :(

However, not surprisingly, SunOS 4.1 on SPARCstation felt rather cute.

Anyway I'm glad the retro-bug has gone ;)
 
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MBP17•David said:
Couple of years ago I caught the retro-computer bug, and thought it would be fun to resurrect an OS/2, as I had some warm and fuzzy memories of that [time] ... turns out it's a pile of old cr@p :(
Click to expand...
I wonder if this is, in part, becoming accustomed to what technology can offer you now. In other words, however much nostalgia might paint a pretty picture and however much those machines were capable in the past, they can't possibly match up to what we have now which tarnishes that feeling.
 
dtravis7

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vansmith said:
I wonder if this is, in part, becoming accustomed to what technology can offer you now. In other words, however much nostalgia might paint a pretty picture and however much those machines were capable in the past, they can't possibly match up to what we have now which tarnishes that feeling.
Click to expand...

Agreed 100%.
 
pigoo3

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MBP17•David said:
Couple of years ago I caught the retro-computer bug, and thought it would be fun to resurrect an OS/2, as I had some warm and fuzzy memories of that [time] ... turns out it's a pile of old cr@p :(

Anyway I'm glad the retro-bug has gone ;)
Click to expand...

vansmith said:
I wonder if this is, in part, becoming accustomed to what technology can offer you now. In other words, however much nostalgia might paint a pretty picture and however much those machines were capable in the past, they can't possibly match up to what we have now which tarnishes that feeling.
Click to expand...

Building off of what you two guys said. I think that old computers & very old OS versions are a perfect example of how the "Good old Days"…sometimes…weren't all that great. At least when comparing capabilities/abilities of a 2014 computer/OS to a 2001 computer/OS.;)

It's cute & fun for a while…but then you say…"Ok…give me my 'real' computer!";)

- Nick
 
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chas_m

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Lifeisabeach said:
My sole exposure to the classic Mac OS was in college back in... oh... 1988? I honestly didn't care for it and thought DOS-based apps were superior for their rapid navigation with keyboard commands (in Lotus, for example). I still miss WordPerfect. *sniffle*
Click to expand...


Check MacUpdate, I swear I saw a new WP viewer and converter (unofficial of course) posted there recently.

Ah yes, here we go: http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/40371/wordperfect-viewer
 
MBP17•David

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vansmith said:
I wonder if this is, in part, becoming accustomed to what technology can offer you now. In other words, however much nostalgia might paint a pretty picture and however much those machines were capable in the past, they can't possibly match up to what we have now which tarnishes that feeling.
Click to expand...

Oh, absolutely! When my phone can do so much more, and a lot faster, clears any nostalgia right up :D
 
harryb2448

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"Good old Days"…sometimes…weren't all that great.


Well OS 7.0.1 is okay as it is the latest operating system my Apple Camera can use!
 
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I have a number of G3 and G4 machines lying around. Mostly running OS X in some variant, but I have one G4 with 9.1 which I light up on occasion to play some Starcraft. I also have a number of old PCs wth DOS 6.2/Win3.1 and even OS/2 3 Warp... but they seem to get less use these days. I have a Win98 macine open beside me right now that almost gave me fits the other day... Maybe its time for some of this old stuff to go...

Good read though. Thanks for posting that!
 

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