Plan on going back in time, what becomes of current libraries?

[hempomatic]

I'm getting increasingly frustrated as each iteration of the Mac OS gets increasingly complicated as well as with the non stop upgrades. I'm currently looking for an older machine running Mavericks as that is the last OS I never had any issues with. I plan on installing a 1 TB SSD and increasing to the maximum amount of RAM. My question is what happens to my photos library? I have around 1 TB of pictures on an external drive, both RAW and JPEG files.

 

[Rod]

With respect it seems to me that a number of OSX Mountain Lion users said the same thing about Mavericks.
It is entirely subjective depending on where you stand on the time line. I'm 73 now and still relish new applications, operating systems, innovations, features and devices.

Without going into details my opinion is that returning to a vintage operating system like Mavericks is likely to present even more challenges in the areas of online security, applications, data and device compatibility and availability.

All just my humble opinion of course but based on my knowledge and vintage Mac user's sites.

 

[Jimmysb]

My question is what happens to my photos library? I have around 1 TB of pictures on an external drive, both RAW and JPEG files.

Not sure WHAT the question is, if they are on an external drive, and as you have said they are in formats that can be read by most photo programmes, then what is the issue.

 

[hempomatic]

Not sure WHAT the question is, if they are on an external drive, and as you have said they are in formats that can be read by most photo programmes, then what is the issue.

My question is if an older OS can read a new Library. Everything seems to be 64 bit these days whereas everything was 32 bit a few years ago. I remember when the "sky was. falling" and programs had to be updated to 64 bit. Will a 64 bit Photos library be compatible with a 32bit iPhoto program. Yes, JPEG is JPEG, RAW is RAW, but they are in a library that has been updated several times to Version 10.0 (721.0.150) not ''free range".

I'm just wondering if anyone else has gone back in time like this and if they had any issues. For that matter, I don't even know if Mavericks can even READ data on a 2 TB remote drive that is formatted in APFS. Would I need to reformat that drive so that Mavericks can even read it?

 

[hempomatic]

With respect it seems to me that a number of OSX Mountain Lion users said the same thing about Mavericks.
It is entirely subjective depending on where you stand on the time line. I'm 73 now and still relish new applications, operating systems, innovations, features and devices.

Without going into details my opinion is that returning to a vintage operating system like Mavericks is likely to present even more challenges in the areas of online security, applications, data and device compatibility and availability.

All just my humble opinion of course but based on my knowledge and vintage Mac user's sites.

I know what you're saying Rod, but I had Mavericks on my previous computer for over 3 years, I never had an issue and I knew it reasonably well. That was an older computer that died and was replaced by the computer I'm using currently, an Intel 2020 machine that came preloaded with Catalina which was a horrible experience. Admittedly, Sequoia is a far superior OS, than Catalina, but still very bloated and confusing. There was no (or a very minimal) learning curve for me with Mavericks going from 10.6 through every progressive update to 10.9. I have zero concerns with security, I use very few apps, and no devices that would have compatibility issues. As far as compatibility, I have devices that are not compatible with the current OS that ran perfectly on Mavericks just sitting there collecting dust.

 

[ferrarr]

Would I need to reformat that drive so that Mavericks can even read it?

Yes, Mavericks will not read APFS

 

[MacInWin]

If you go so far back that Photos is replaced by the older iPhoto, you will have to export every picture and video in Photos to an external location that Mavericks can read (HFS+), then import them back into iPhoto from there. You will lose all organization like albums, faces, locations, etc, but iPhoto will allow you to redo the various things you lose in the process, albeit slowly and with a lot of work on your part. There is, AFAIK, no way to get iPhoto to open the Photos library at all.

Frankly, going back is going to be a lot of work and zero, if not negative, gain. You will have to find a working Mac that can run Mavericks (get the newest you can so that will last as long as possible), then find the Mavericks installer and then find any third party software you have that you want on Mavericks and install it. TM won't help as the format changed, so you'll need to export all of the OTHER stuff that aren't pictures to an HFS+ drive to be read into the Mavericks system once you have it up and running.

Again, given the issues you have expressed here before, trying this is fraught with all kinds of peril for you.

Can I suggest you look for a Mac user group, or just a Mac user, anywhere nearby that might be able to provide some tutoring for you to get you more comfortable with your Mac as it is? I assist a woman in my neighborhood with just that sort of thing, as her husband is clueless on Mac, so I have become "tech support" for her.

 

[ferrarr]

I have devices that are not compatible with the current OS that ran perfectly on Mavericks just sitting there collecting dust.

Like what? Is it the connection type or the device itself?

 

[hempomatic]

If you go so far back that Photos is replaced by the older iPhoto, you will have to export every picture and video in Photos to an external location that Mavericks can read (HFS+), then import them back into iPhoto from there. You will lose all organization like albums, faces, locations, etc, but iPhoto will allow you to redo the various things you lose in the process, albeit slowly and with a lot of work on your part. There is, AFAIK, no way to get iPhoto to open the Photos library at all.

Frankly, going back is going to be a lot of work and zero, if not negative, gain. You will have to find a working Mac that can run Mavericks (get the newest you can so that will last as long as possible), then find the Mavericks installer and then find any third party software you have that you want on Mavericks and install it. TM won't help as the format changed, so you'll need to export all of the OTHER stuff that aren't pictures to an HFS+ drive to be read into the Mavericks system once you have it up and running.

Again, given the issues you have expressed here before, trying this is fraught with all kinds of peril for you.

Can I suggest you look for a Mac user group, or just a Mac user, anywhere nearby that might be able to provide some tutoring for you to get you more comfortable with your Mac as it is? I assist a woman in my neighborhood with just that sort of thing, as her husband is clueless on Mac, so I have become "tech support" for her.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Honestly and frankly, at the basic level, every version of macOS has the same for as long as I've been using it (starting with Leopard). Yes, each version of macOS brings forth new features that can be ignored if you aren't interested in it.

For example, I've done nothing with Stage Manager since it came out, haven't tried it, and it hasn't hindered my use of Sequoia is any way.

As others have said, it's best to continually move forward where possible or just stay where you are if the future versions as indeed confusing.

 

[Jimmysb]

My question is if an older OS can read a new Library. Everything seems to be 64 bit these days whereas everything was 32 bit a few years ago. I remember when the "sky was. falling" and programs had to be updated to 64 bit. Will a 64 bit Photos library be compatible with a 32bit iPhoto program. Yes, JPEG is JPEG, RAW is RAW, but they are in a library that has been updated several times to Version 10.0 (721.0.150) not ''free range".

I'm just wondering if anyone else has gone back in time like this and if they had any issues. For that matter, I don't even know if Mavericks can even READ data on a 2 TB remote drive that is formatted in APFS. Would I need to reformat that drive so that Mavericks can even read it?

So your Apple Photos Library is on an EHD, so your question is about compatability of Apple Photo app. Your photos if in JPEG can be read by any photo app.

 

[Rod]

You will have to find a working Mac that can run Mavericks (get the newest you can so that will last as long as possible)

As above, you will not be able to install Mavericks on the 2020 Intel machine that came loaded with Catalina because you cannot install a macOS earlier than the OS that the device came with when new.
This, I have always assumed was to avoid incompatibility between the hardware of a newer device and the software of an earlier OS.

 

[hempomatic]

OK Libraries are incompatible. Not sure why I didn't just assume that. I think what I'll most likely do is keep my eyes open for a 2012 or 2013 machine. I'll keep this computer but only use it for the existing Photos Library. I'll use the older machine for new photos and for my every day use.

The other advantage to the older machine is iTunes vs "Music". That's the only other Mac program I ever use. iTunes was far easier for me to use.

 

[hempomatic]

So your Apple Photos Library is on an EHD, so your question is about compatability of Apple Photo app. Your photos if in JPEG can be read by any photo app.

Yes, and no. The problem seems to be that if I have no access to the library, I'll have no access to the individual files. We're talking about 1/2 TB, and redoing each file individually isn't a very effective use of my time If it was just a few files I'd just dropbox them to myself.

 

[MacInWin]

The other advantage to the older machine is iTunes vs "Music". That's the only other Mac program I ever use. iTunes was far easier for me to use.

Don't count on iTunes being there. Apple has moved to Music and will sooner or later deprecate iTunes and it will cease to function. We have no idea when/how that might happen, but it is almost certainly will.

 

[hempomatic]

Honestly and frankly, at the basic level, every version of macOS has the same for as long as I've been using it (starting with Leopard). Yes, each version of macOS brings forth new features that can be ignored if you aren't interested in it.

For example, I've done nothing with Stage Manager since it came out, haven't tried it, and it hasn't hindered my use of Sequoia is any way.

As others have said, it's best to continually move forward where possible or just stay where you are if the future versions as indeed confusing.

I'd respectfully argue that point Ashwin. For me, it's more about the details. For example, I was looking for passwords the other day and couldn't find them. I did find them, but not where they were the last time I looked. Also, things like passkeys. I have no idea what they are or why I need them. What's the difference between passwords and passkeys, and what the heck are codes? That's the stuff I'm talking about. I'm sure you guys that use this stuff all the time and look forward to updates and upgrades have no issues. Another example, I have no idea what containers are and why some have data and others don't, so you see, although each iteration may have only incremental changes, after 10 years of incremental changes, I'm now completely lost.

I get it, time marches on, things improve and become more complex. The improvements and added complexity have never once improved my experience. I used to enjoy being on the computer. Now it is an exercise in frustration and makes me feel incredibly stupid. Now, I'm locked in. My banking, bill paying, medical records, everything relies on the computer. I accept that, and like the fact that these things are now at my fingertips. My ONLY goal here is to simplify my life. When I was using Mavericks, I spent less time and accomplished more.

Notice that I became a member here in 2014. That's when Yosemite was released and the wheels started coming off

 

[MacInWin]

Be careful about how far you fall behind. Banks/businesses/investment institutions are moving forward with new technologies that introduce more security, so if you get/stay too far behind you may find that you can lon longer get to your banking, bill paying, medical records, etc. At that point, your life is no longer simple at all.

Passwords and passkeys: Here is a reasonable article article that came out in November, so it's relatively current: Should You Use Passkeys Instead of Passwords? - Consumer Reports

Passkeys work well for me where I can use them.

As for where passwords are kept, years ago Apple put them in Keychain, and then provided Keychain manager to allow you to get to them. It was fragile and frankly unfriendly for the average user. Third-party developers came along and significantly improved on password management. Apple eventually decided to change their password approach and replaced Keychain Manager with Passwords and added a lot of functions that came with the third-party offerings. I had 1Password, but it's gone subscription mode now. Passwords from Apple is included in the OS and works well, so I'm shifting over to it and will get rid of 1Password.

 

[hempomatic]

Be careful about how far you fall behind. Banks/businesses/investment institutions are moving forward with new technologies that introduce more security, so if you get/stay too far behind you may find that you can lon longer get to your banking, bill paying, medical records, etc. At that point, your life is no longer simple at all.

Passwords and passkeys: Here is a reasonable article article that came out in November, so it's relatively current: Should You Use Passkeys Instead of Passwords? - Consumer Reports

Passkeys work well for me where I can use them.

As for where passwords are kept, years ago Apple put them in Keychain, and then provided Keychain manager to allow you to get to them. It was fragile and frankly unfriendly for the average user. Third-party developers came along and significantly improved on password management. Apple eventually decided to change their password approach and replaced Keychain Manager with Passwords and added a lot of functions that came with the third-party offerings. I had 1Password, but it's gone subscription mode now. Passwords from Apple is included in the OS and works well, so I'm shifting over to it and will get rid of 1Password.

Jake, I can't tell you how much I appreciate how much you've helped me (or tried to) since Yosemite. That said, I understand maybe 25% of what any of this means. I just don't think I have the mental acuity to continue the learning curve required as the technology goes forward. Next I have AI to worry about? UUUGGGHHH. I'm sure this all sounds bizarre to you tech guys, but I'm seriously considering ditching this all and just go back to writing checks and whatever else I did 30 years ago. Presently, my passwords are all written down in duplicate, but if I can't write them down or remember them, how am I to trust any computer making those decisions for me? I certainly can't keep anything in the cloud. I'm out here in Western North Carolina. I barely have broadband, and when I do, the reliability and data throughput are terrible. After hurricane Helene I had no phone, internet access or TV for nearly a month. I had to drive to a friend's to borrow their satellite access to pay my bills. What if I'm incapacitated and can't get online to get my passkey? Does the mortgage company then get my house?

I'm completely lost in this technological quagmire, it's very frustrating and frankly, quite disconcerting.

I know you can't answer hypotheticals btw. My options seem limited however. I can plunge in head first and spend hours every day until I understand any of this only to have it change again in a few months, OR I can simply bail out altogether. Technology is marching on far faster than I can keep up with it.

 

[MacInWin]

You might want to look into Starlink for internet access. All it needs is power to get you online. And it can run on very low power needs, so you might even get away with solar panels to power it. Good speeds, low latency (delay) and not dependent on any local towers or stations.

I don't think it's as bad as you are making it. Life is actually easier when the tech is up-to-date as there are fewer "tricks" you have to do to use it. If you let the tech fall behind, you'll be looking for a browser to be able to try to get online to your financial institution(s), to buy anything online, etc. Browsers are available for older systems, up to a limit, but tech moves on.

I would recommend that you stop over-thinking it and trying to make modern tech work the way older tech did. Doing that is like shifting an automatic transmission like you did on the old stick-shift.

I suspect 95% or more of what you do is contained within Photos and Safari. So don't worry about the rest that may be offered/touted and learn Photos and Safari. Make the machine do what YOU want to do and ignore the rest. I call it "stop wrestling with the tech and start wrestling with the problem you want to solve."

So, what is it you want to DO, in non-tech terms?

 

[MacBiter]

You could install Mavericks into a Virtual Machine, allocate it most of the RAM on the host Mac and use that for your everyday needs .