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OSdata.com: Macintosh OS 8 

OSdata.com

Macintosh OS 8

See also: Macintosh

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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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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

Release Date:

    “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

Hardware Supported:

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

Maximum Number of Processors: 4e114

Number of bits: 32

Kernel: proprietary

POSIX: not supported

Peripherals: “all current Mac hardware, some graphics equipment, and some PC PCI cards” —Kristian Elof Sørensenw36

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

Mac OS 8 Finder screen shot

click on the preview image for a larger version

screen shot courtesy of Pat Gunn’s Operating Systemsw59

Disabled support:

Internet Services:

Application Programs:

Security:

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 Adkinsw77

     “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 Computerw49

    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)

    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.

further reading: web sites

Please send recommendations on additional URLs to Milo.

official web sites

    Apple: http://www.apple.come10

FAQs

(Frequently Asked Questions)

user group web sites

    Los Angeles Macintosh Group

    http://www.www.cucug.orge10

other related web sites

    http://www.macaddict.come10

    http://www.linuxrx.com/WS_Linux/OS_comparison.html “The Linux resource exchange — Operating systems comparison” LINUX, HPUX, Windows NT, BSDi, FreeBSD, IRIX, Digital UNIX, Solaris, Macintosh, OS/2, UnixWare, OpenServere83

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.

further reading: books: introductory/general

    The Little Mac Book; 5th edition; by Robin Williams; Peachpit Press; January 1998; ISBN 0201696738; paperback; 369 pages; $15.96

    The Macintosh Bible; 6th edition; by Jeremy Judson (Editor), Michael E. Cohen, Sharon Zardetto Aker; Peachpit Press; August 1996; ISBN 0201886367; paperback; 991 pages; $23.96

    Beyond the Little Mac Book; by Steve Broback, Robin Williams; Peachpit Press; April 1997; ISBN 0201886669; paperback; 350 pages; $18.36

    The Mac OS 8 Book: The Ultimate Macintosh User’s Guide; by Craig Danuloff, Mark R. Bell; Ventana Communications Group Inc.; August 1997; ISBN 1566046882; paperback (with CD-ROM); 484 pages; $27.99

    The Mac Is Not a Typewriter: A Style Manual for Creating Professional-Level Type on Your MacIntosh; by Robin Williams; Peachpit Press; November 1990; ISBN 0938151312; paperback; 72 pages; $7.96

further reading: books: administration

The Complete Guide to Netware 4.11/Intranetware; 2nd edition; by James E. Gaskin; Sybex; December 1996; ISBN 078211931X; paperback; $47.99; includes information on getting NetWare working with Windows, Macintosh, UNIX, and OS/2


further reading: books: internet

    Learn HTML 3.0 on the Macintosh; by Dave Mark, David Lawrence; Addison-Wesley Pub Co; July 1996; ISBN 0201887932; paperback; $29.95

    Web Publisher’s Design Guide for MacIntosh: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Designing Incredible Web Pages; 2nd edition; by Mary Jo Fahey; The Coriolis Group; April 1997; ISBN 1576101088; paperback (with CD-ROM); 498 pages; $31.99

    Learn Java on the MacIntosh; by Barry Boone, Dave Mark; Addison-Wesley Pub Co; August 1996; ISBN 0201191571; paperback (with CD-ROM); 475 pages; $27.96

further reading: books: enterprise/business

further reading: books: content creation

    The Mac Is Not a Typewriter: A Style Manual for Creating Professional-Level Type on Your MacIntosh; by Robin Williams; Peachpit Press; November 1990; ISBN 0938151312; paperback; 72 pages; $7.96

    Beyond the Mac Is Not a Typewriter: More Typographic Insights and Secrets; by Robin Williams; Peachpit Press; January 1996; ISBN 0201885980; paperback; 222 pages; $13.56

    Learn HTML 3.0 on the Macintosh; by Dave Mark, David Lawrence; Addison-Wesley Pub Co; July 1996; ISBN 0201887932; paperback; $29.95

    Web Publisher’s Design Guide for MacIntosh: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Designing Incredible Web Pages; 2nd edition; by Mary Jo Fahey; The Coriolis Group; April 1997; ISBN 1576101088; paperback (with CD-ROM); 498 pages; $31.99

    The Multimedia Production Handbook for the PC, Macintosh, and Amiga; by Tom Yager; Academic Press Professional; December 1993; ISBN 0127680306; Paperback; 382 pages; $31.96

    Learn Java on the MacIntosh; by Barry Boone, Dave Mark; Addison-Wesley Pub Co; August 1996; ISBN 0201191571; paperback (with CD-ROM); 475 pages; $27.96

further reading: books: programming

    Foundations of Mac Programming; by Dan P. Sydow; IDG Books Worldwide Inc.; December 20, 1995; ISBN 1568843496; paperback; 708 pages; $31.99

    Inside MacIntosh Overview (Inside MacIntosh); 2nd edition; by Apple Computer; Addison-Wesley Pub Co; January 1993; ISBN 0201632470; paperback; 251 pages; $19.96

    C++ Programming With Codewarrior: For the Macintosh and Power Macintosh Beginner; by Jan L. Harrington; AP Professional; September 1995; ISBN 0123264200; paperback (with CD-ROM); 373 pages; $29.60

    Learn C on the MacIntosh; 2nd edition; by Dave Mark; Addison-Wesley Pub Co; October 1995; ISBN 0201484064; paperback (with CD-ROM); 474 pages; $27.96

    Mac Programming for Dummies; 2nd edition; by Dan Parks Sydow; IDG Books Worldwide; August 15, 1996; ISBN 0764500422; paperback; 416 pages (with CD-ROM); $23.99

    Black Art of Macintosh Game Programming; by Kevin Tieskoetter; Waite Group Pr; March 1996; ISBN 157169059X; paperback (with CD-ROM); $39.99

    Metrowerks Codewarrior Programming; by Dan Parks Sydow; IDG Books Worldwide; December 1996; ISBN 1558515054; paperback; 538 pages (with CD-ROM); $31.96

    Codewarrior Software Development Using Powerplant; by Jan L. Harrington; AP Professional; May 1996; ISBN 0123264227; paperback (with CD-ROM); 295 pages; $24.47

    The Metrowerks Codewarrior Professional Book: Streamline Mac Application Development; by Dan Parks Sydow; Ventana Communications Group Inc.; October 1997; ISBN 1566047331; paperback (with CD-ROM); $31.99

    Learn Java on the MacIntosh; by Barry Boone, Dave Mark; Addison-Wesley Pub Co; August 1996; ISBN 0201191571; paperback (with CD-ROM); 475 pages; $27.96

    Tricks of the Mac Game Programming Gurus; by Jamie McCornack, Ingemar Ragnemalm, Paul Celestin, Bill Dugan; out of print (can still be ordered through Amazon)

    Macintosh Game Programming Techniques; by Cary Torkelson; ISBN 1558514619; out of print (can still be ordered through Amazon)

    Macintosh Assembly System, version 2.0; by William Ford, William Topp; Jones & Bartlett Pub; January 1992; ISBN 0763705950; Textbook Binding; $37.50

further reading: books: hardware

further reading: books: miscellaneous

In Association with Amazon.com

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

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.


geek humor

    There are three types of computer users:

  1. Those who use Macs
  2. Those who wish they used Macs
  3. 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 .


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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.

    Note: I am looking for a fan of the Macintosh who has the time to check this web site for completeness and accuracy regarding the Macintosh. Just check through the site about once a week or so and report back with any information (including the URL of the web page you are reporting).

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    Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 Milo

    Last Updated: March 31, 2004

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

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