Reason (Scott McCreevey) Mac OS
- Reason (scott Mccreevey) Mac Os Catalina
- Reason (scott Mccreevey) Mac Os 11
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From OS X Scientific Computing
OS X is Apple computer's current operating system, introduced in 2001. It is a type of unix operating system. The main difference, which is usually an advantage to users, is that it attempts to completely shield novice users from the command-line interface while making it freely available to those who want or need to use it (many Linux systems. #!/usr/bin/env python3 # # Resolve Mac OS X 'aliases' by finding where they point to # Author: Scott H. Hawley # # Description: # Mac OSX aliases are not symbolic links. Trying to read one will probably crash your code. # Here a few routines to help. Run these to change the filename before trying to read a file.
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Reason (scott Mccreevey) Mac Os Catalina
If you are coming to OS X for the first time, things can be a little bit baffling. Here is an attempt to clear the muddied waters.
What is OS X?
OS X is Apple computer's current operating system, introduced in 2001. It is a type of unix operating system. The main difference, which is usually an advantage to users, is that it attempts to completely shield novice users from the command-line interface while making it freely available to those who want or need to use it (many Linux systems also attempt to do this now). It is unique in the Unix world, however, in that it uses a windowing system (Quartz) that is completely new, PDF-based, and aesthetically much more pleasing than the standard X11 interface usually associated with unix and linux.
More information on Mac OS X and Quartz are available at Wikipedia as well as from Apple.
What is Darwin?
Darwin is the name given to the unix operating system (or 'subsystem' as Apple calls it, to distinguish it from the GUI stuff that sits on top) that comprises Mac OS X. It is a variant of freeBSD unix but is now a fully mature 'flavor' of unix in its own right (just as is irix, linux, solaris, etc). Darwin also is not a unix emulator. It is the real thing. There is no need to install Linux on your computer (although you can do so if you wish.) What you need either comes with OS X or can be added on comparatively easily.
More on OS X Darwin has been written here.
Reason (scott Mccreevey) Mac Os 11
Is it Linux, or do I have to install Linux?
Darwin (and freeBSD, from which it is derived) is not the same as Linux, but is in essence a fellow traveler. Phenotypically, it is similar but not identical. In terms of the nuts and bolts, at the kernel level, it is rather different. But almost all software that you can compile and run on Linux or other flavors of unix you can compile and run on Mac OS X's Darwin. There is no reason you should need to install Linux or any other unix-like operating system (although you can if you want).
How do I access it?
In /Applications/Utilities, you will find a program called Terminal.app. When you launch that program, it opens a terminal session using one of four unix shells (bash by default, or tcsh or zsh or ksh if you should so choose). I've put a lot more information about this on the Unix and OS X: The Absolute Essentials page.
What's the deal with X11?
Apple has its own windowing system called Quartz, so it doesn't need X11 for 'OS X native' applications. However, many unix programs that invoke a GUI will assume that an X11 windowing system, such as that found on SGIs, Linux, and every other flavor of unix I can think of, will be present.
For that reason, Apple distributes an X11 server in the form of X11.app. It gets installed by default on 10.5, and is an optional install on 10.4 and earlier. There is a whole lot more about this on this wiki's X11 page.
For 10.5, you can (and should) get the latest update to X11 from the X11 Xquartz page.
Where are the compilers?
Apple doesn't distribute gcc, g++, make and so forth by default. You need to install the Xcode Developer Tools that come on the OS X installation DVD or Apple's website. Both are described on our Xcode wiki page, and that page has further links, including the one that takes you to Apple's download site.
The compilers then get installed in /usr/bin and about a gigabyte of stuff gets installed in /Developer. If you are short on space, install everything, and then move /Developer to a DVD. You don't need it once the install has been completed.
Is there a simple way to install third-party unix software?
You can always install third-party unix software in /usr/local/bin and then add that you your path. Many people prefer a package management system like Linux has.
One option, that I very much favor, is using the fink package management system. It is based upon the debian package management system that is distributed with Ubuntu and other Debian-type Linux operating systems. It is not, however, identical, but simply makes use of many of their tools.
What else do you suggest?
- Make the unix-type root directories visible in the Finder.
- Make use of the fink packages that I have pre-compiled to save yourself a lot of time and effort.
- Carefully read all of Section 3 of this wiki entitled 'General Topics.' It is a more detailed version of this overview.
- Find unix editor you will be comfortable with.
Reason (scott Mccreevey) Mac Os Download
- Change your unix shell to what you are comfortable with. If you currently use tcsh, change to that using the command
and if you are feeling frustrated with bash (which behaves kind of oddly on OS X) and would like something a little more powerful and pleasant but syntactically compatible with bash, or miss ksh (which is present, by the way), consider switching to ZSH on OS X.
zsh is to unix shells what OS X is to operating systems.
What does it look like?
Here's a screenshot of my iMac running 10.5.2. I am using coot (2oeu is displayed), an iTerm session is open, and the Finder is displaying my home directory. I have some extra stuff in the menu bar that allows me to monitor cpu consumption, memory, and a few other things.
Click on the image to see a full-size screenshot.
A collection of links, books and tutorials, both general and OS X-specific.
What’s the best version of the Mac OS for your Mac? It depends on the hardware.
DR writes:
I enjoyed reading How Can I Prepare for Mac OS X?, especially about the different Macs that you’ve owned. I got a Macintosh (yes, just plain Macintosh) in February 1985. Upgraded to a Mac 512K, a.k.a. Fat Mac. Upgraded to a 512Ke (with 128k ROM and a double-sided disk drive!). Got a Mac Classic 4/40. Got a Quadra 605 8/160. Got a used Quadra 630 8/250. Got a Power Computing PowerBase 180 32/1.2. Got a Power Computing PowerCenter Pro 240 64/2. And what a fun ride it has been. : )
While the “How Can I Prepare for Mac OS X?” author is looking forward to Mac OS X, my feelings toward system software, as they called it in the old days, is a bit different. Whichever Mac I’ve owned has been a non-networked computer. A lot of times a newer version of a Mac OS would just run a little slower and take up more hard drive space. The question I like to answer which helps me decide whether to upgrade or not is, “What do I want to do on my Mac that I could do with the new OS that I can’t do with the old OS?” If I can’t find anything, then I stick with what I’ve got. Reason’s I’ve upgraded in the past have been: 1) newer OS required for certain applications 2) hope that the newer OS doesn’t crash as often as the older one (shades of 7.6.1 and the PowerBase 180) and 3) to get HFS+.
There are two possible computers that I may upgrade. Please tell me what you think is the best version of Mac OS to run on each and why. First, my computer. I have a Power Computing PowerCenter Pro 240 with 64 MB RAM, 2 GB hard drive, CD-ROM, Zip drive, Personal LaserWriter 300, external speakers, 56k modem, mic, and a Color QuickCam. I’m running Mac OS 8.1 and thinking about upgrading to 8.5. “What would I want to do on my Mac that I could do with 8.5 that I can’t do with the 8.1?” Also the potential hard drive problem causes me to hesitate upgrading as well.
The second computer: my sister has inherited the Macs that I didn’t sell. Currently, she has a Quadra 630 with 20 MB of RAM, 250 MB hard drive, inkjet printer, external CD-ROM, and a 33.6 kbps modem. She is currently using version 7.5.5. She’s not a power user. She just uses the Internet a little and uses WriteNow a little. She’s had some difficulty keeping her Internet connection. This could be related to the noisy phone lines in her rural area, but different system software may help her also. What version of Mac OS do you think is best for her?
During the day, I support a network of 70-some Macs. The oldest, sold about two years ago, was a 2.5 MB Mac Plus with 20 MB GCC HyperDrive. The newest are a Power Mac G3/266 and a PowerBook G3/233. And there are probably two dozen different models between those extremes.
To maintain my sanity, I have done my best to keep as many Macs as possible on the same version of the Mac OS. With few exceptions, that means System 7.5.5. (Or 7.5.3 for a few Macs that are not compatible with 7.5.5.) I find it complete and stable. At this point, I see no reason to ever change most users to Mac OS 8 or newer. None.
The only Macs I would hesitate to run 7.5.5 on are the old 8 MHz 68000-based ones. While they can run System 7.5.5, they feel a lot more responsive with System 6.0.8.
A couple machines need Mac OS 7.6, so that’s what they get. Just a few of us are using Mac OS 8.1 – some because it came with the computers, three others so we can be familiar with it (and we’re now testing 8.5.1). By choice, I don’t use HFS+, a choice I made before Norton Utilities 4, which has problems with HFS+.
Nice as HFS+ would be, the extra 100 MB it frees on my hard drive hasn’t been worth the struggles of getting it to work correctly. Twice I’ve invested over half-a-day in trying to make my system work with HFS+. Both times I’ve reverted to HFS. I’m sure I’ll go HFS+ soon, but I need to have the free time to troubleshoot any problems that may arise. (See HFS+ Nightmares and Beyond HFS+ Nightmares for the full story.)
Unless you work with a lot of small files on a large drive, I don’t see HFS+ as a compelling reason to upgrade. I’m happily using Mac OS 8.1 without it.
That said, I love the spring loaded folders, which really reduce desktop clutter. At home, I love the PPP stability – even better than FreePPP. Contextual menus are nice, but the main reason I switched at home was because I have 8.1 at work. It’s much easier to work on the same version of the OS than to go back and forth.
I haven’t run Mac OS 8.1 on a 68040-based Mac, but my son (who now uses my old Centris 610) did the upgrade and says it’s very stable – and faster than 7.5.5 was. I’ve heard similar reports from others. The ability to jettison pre-68040 code allowed Apple to make 8.1 more streamlined than earlier versions that had to support the 68000 and 68020 (through 7.5.5) and 68030 (through 7.6.1).
Update: Apple claimed they jettisoned pre-68040 code, but we have evidence from Scott Barber and the Born Again program that 68030-based Macs can run Mac OS 8.0 and 8.1. This is sort of like the way Mac OS X is “unsupported” on some Macs, yet XPostFacto allows it to install and run.
I’ve found Mac OS 8.1 stable enough and feature-laden enough to recommend it to anyone with a Quadra or Power Mac who is willing to spend $40 for the upgrade.
As for Mac OS 8.5, I must admit I’m a firm believer in Murphy’s Law: If anything can go wrong, it will. At work, we were approved to buy three copies and test it. The rare hard drive problem, estimated to trouble less than 1% of all systems, would almost certainly choose one of those three, trash a 1.2 GB to 4 GB hard drive beyond repair, and cost one or two days of down time.
Sure, we do daily backup. But if the drive is so seriously damaged that it must be replaced, even an overnight shipment means a day without a usable computer. It’s not a risk I’m prepared to take, especially since nobody seems to have pinned down the underlying cause of this problem. (Apple is collecting hard drives from the field.)
But Mac OS 8.5 was mostly a matter of when: After Apple discovered the cause of the problem and released a fix for it, we bought it and installed it on a few machines for testing purposes. I think it will be especially helpful in a networked environment (that includes using a modem to reach the Internet), since all the I/O drivers are now PowerPC native and Open Transport has been significantly upgraded.
So my vote is Mac OS 7.5.5 on pre-68040 models, 8.1 on 68040 and PowerPC machines, and either 8.1 or 8.5.1 on Power Macs and Mac clones.
Reader Feedback
Chik writes:
I had no problems installing Mac OS 8.5 on a Power Mac 6200. No hard drive corruption, etc. It was a clean clean install.
But it is so much slower than OS 8.1 that I can’t recommend anyone use it. I had to disable much of the OS to get it to speed up e.g. AppleScript, file sharing, etc.
Also have Speed Doubler 8.x.
BV writes:
Regarding problems in reformatting to HFS+: I wasn’t going to do it, because I didn’t think it was worth backing up and initializing my hard drive to save the space.
Surfing through Macworld I found a mention of an application called Plus Maker from Alsoft ($19.95; www.alsoft.com). I downloaded it and near-instantaneously reformatted the hard drive on my PowerMac 6500/250 (OS 8.1) without initializing, without backing up (I’m a home user – what have I got to back up a 4 GB hard drive with?), without losing data or any (more) stability problems than I had before. I saved over 1 GB of space on my drive.
If this sounds like an ad, I could damn sure write them a genuine, uncompensated endorsement (schmuck that I am).
Thanks for what you’re doing; I just bought Vimage’s PF G3/240-225 upgrade card on your say-so, since I’m apparently running the same system you are.
We used Plus Maker on all of our Mac OS 8.1 systems at work to convert the drives to HFS+. It was a bit risky, but only because at that time neither Norton nor any other hard drive utility could work with HFS+ drives. Mine was the only drive to have problems, which may have been due to file corruption or third-party software. As of last week, I am successfully using HFS+ on my hard drive at work.
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