Re: Apple Drops Backward Compatibility for Next MacOS

[shack@onyx.southwind.net (Randy Shackelford)]

pubpc1@library.ucla.edu wrote:

: Let me answer that.  The //e could run "Apple II System Software".  When the
: IIGS came out, Apple decided to make a clean break and design a pure 16-bit
: OS, GS/OS.  GS/OS retains the ability to run the old 8-bit stuff, though,
: because ProDOS 8 is bundled with it.  GS/OS is the current Apple II System
: Software.

GS/OS does not run 8 bit software. It is the IIgs operating system and as such
only runs native apps. You run another OS when you run 8 bit apps.

: This is exactly what you are talking about.  DOS and Win 1.0 could run on
: an XT.  Today, you have the Pentium.  It runs Win 95.  The XT could never
: run Win 95.  The Pentium, however, can still run old XT software.

: The next Mac OS will only run on PowerMacs.  It has never worked on 680x0s
: before.  But it will retain the ability to run 680x0 Mac softeare.

You are clueless or unable to grasp the difference. 7.5.5 is the last version
which will run on 68000, '020, and non 32 bit '030 boxes. 7.6, which is not
"the next Mac OS", will run on all other 68K boxes. This is axing support for
some boxes that were supported by old releases of the same OS, in order to
improve performance on newer boxes. The same thing will happen in future 
releases of Windows NT.

You're obviously not paying attention, since the subject of this thread refers
to the rumor that "the next Mac OS" will not be compatible with old 68K apps.
But then the thread degenerated into whining about how Apple should have
dumped Macs and only made 6500 series boxes, which would have put them out
of business long ago since they would not have been competitive with intel
box makers.

: Apple II System Software used to support the //e, but for the sake of
: improving performance, they axed //e support when it was upgraded to GS/OS.

Which, even if you think running native apps instead of 8 bit apps is an
improvement in performance, is not the same thing as 7.5.5 -> 7.6.

: That Mac Plus is so slow running new Mac software designed with faster
: machines in mind that I'd honestly prefer AppleWorks GS running on a IIGS
: for things like word processing.  The output, after all, is the same.
: Besides, on the IIGS you can play music while you work.  Try THAT on a Plus!

Only in native apps, the CD player dies when you go 8 bit. Meaning 2/3 of apps
don't support it. Maybe I'll just pull my Plus out of the attic and connect
my CD150 and play some CDs.

: The lack of apps is not the fault of the computer.  The IIGS is capable
: of running apps with modern features.  They would have been written had
: Apple supported it.

I scarcely use native apps, since they are few, and the ones that exist are
underpowered. That was the case from the get go.

: An open architecture hackers machine rather than a closed box.  Support for
: a command line as well as a GUI.  A computer whose OS revolves around
: multimedia.  A modern synthesizer chip (new Ensoniqs) built in, probably
: tied in to an ADB based (music) keyboard for composition.

All of which, except for the Ensoniq, exists on Macs which cost the same or 
less than the IIgs did. Mac sound is just as good anyway.
--
Randy Shackelford
shack@southwind.net