Mac Lab Report

Macintel Stumbling Block: Sometimes You Need Classic

Popularity:

- 2006.01.25

Apple has no Classic support in its new Intel-based Macs, and from what I read Apple has no plans add it. This means that for the first time, there is no compatibility path for older, pre-PowerPC, or even pre-OS X software to run on an Apple computer.

The problem is, there are any number of critical applications that people use that require OS 9 or Classic Mode, and while we've been content with booting up Classic to make them work, we don't even have that option with Intel Macs.

I haven't seen too much complaining from the LEM staff, and I kind of expected it.

For my part, there are still a few Classic programs I need to run that require OS 9, so I guess I'll put off upgrading for the time being. It's not just a matter of upgrading or picking another vendor; these functions run only in OS 9.

First, there's a delightful little acrostic generator called Anacrostics, which hasn't even had so much as a web page update in years. I love this little program and wish I could find something equivalent that runs in OS X. It barely runs in Classic, exhibiting some wierd flashing bugs that don't interfere with its operation. This is better than a crossword, because the solution spells out a message sort of like Wheel of Fortune style - which I used to define yet another task for my students to do.

Secondly, we use SASI in our school attendance system. During a recent upgrade the district shut down the AppleTalk-compatible server and moved everything over to a Windows 2000 server with Mac services enabled for OS 9 - but not for OS X. Apparently their version of the Microsoft UAM tool isn't the same one posted on Microsoft's website, because I have to log into the network using the Chooser in Classic - then I can run the software natively in OS X.

However, OS X's Browse function and login screen are incompatible, even after installing the Windows 2000 server client for OS X from Microsoft. I think this is a server-side issue; a tech told me they hadn't set up the server for OS X, as I may be just about the only one using it for standard access to the server. The district is "retiring" Macs by replacing them with Dells as they become obsolete, But I still need Classic for SASI.

Finally, my gradebook program, Grade Machine, runs in OS 9 only; an OS X version exists, but I haven't upgraded yet. Buying a new Mac would require my upgrading this program, whether I wanted to or not. I suppose that's the nature of all upgrades.

What mission-critical functions do you have that still use OS 9 or Classic? Or have you given up Classic altogether? Drop me a note and let me know.

In the meantime, I sure hope Apple reconsiders the anti-Classic option, because I bet I'm not the only one in this position.

Jeff Adkins is a science teacher who isn't afraid to state his preferences in computing platforms. In his classroom he has everything from a beige All-in-One to a a G4 XServe, and they all work together nicely. He calls himself the "poster child for technology integration" in the classroom. He was the 2006 Outstanding Educator of the Year for the California Computer Using Educators (CUE) organization. He also maintains a site for astronomy teachers at www.AstronomyTeacher.com.

Recent Mac Lab Reports

Microsoft Word 2004 vs. iWork Pages 1.0 for writing a book, 2008.01.10. Microsoft Word is great for technical writing, powerful yet slow, while Pages lets you concentrate on just writing, making it great for novels.
iWeb a great tool for quickly creating an attractive website, 2007.09.11. Apple's iWeb software isn't just easy to use, it also integrates nicely with .mac and other programs in the iLife bundle.
Use your Bluetooth phone to control your Mac? Maybe, 2007.02.27. Salling Clicker software turns many Bluetooth phones into remote controls for Bluetooth-equipped Macs.
More in the Mac Lab Report index.

Links for the Day

Mac of the Day: Macintosh Portable, introduced 1989.09.20. The nearly 16 lb. behemoth was innovative but not a smashing success.
February 13 in LEM history: 01: Layoffs may hurt Mac market - 02: Unix for the Mac - Rage against the Macintosh - 03: Options to move data from PCs to Macs - 04: Low cost RAM for older 'Books - 06: Apple, IBM, and Intel - 07: Picking the right cheap computer, new or used - 08: I needed to find an older Mac
Support Low End Mac

Recent Deals

About LEM Support Usage Privacy Contact

Mac Lab Report copyright © 2000-08 by Jeff Adkins. Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Entire Low End Mac website copyright ©1997-2012 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc. unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iPad iPhone, iMac, iPod, MacBook, MagSafe, Mac Pro, Apple TV, and AirPort are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.
Advice is presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to .
LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
Email may be published at our discretion unless marked "not for publication"; email addresses will not be published without permission, and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.

Custom Search

Follow Low End Mac on Twitter
Join Low End Mac on Facebook

Low End Mac Reader Specials

TypeStyler 11 is now in the Mac App Store!! -- Special Introductory Price of $59.95!! -- To Buy From The Mac App Store Click Here Now!! Or buy direct from Strider Software.

Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how to download and install a native Mac poker and Mac Casino applications in minutes.

Affiliates

Amazon.com
The Apple Store
The iTunes Store
PC Connection Express
GainSaver
Parallels Desktop for Mac
eBay