MacOs9
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Need to run Classic under Snow Leopard? SheepShaver can do that.
I'm beginning to think that some other writers on the Mac beat are reading my mind. About two weeks ago, one of my consulting clients was asking if there was any way that she'd be able to upgrade to Snow Leopard and still be able to run two legacy applications in Classic, one of which was HyperCard. Being the forward-looking guy I am, I suggested that we just move the data from her old HyperCard stack over to Bento (simple), and then see if we could find a replacement for the other application into which her employees could re-enter the old data. Yesterday I was looking at posts over on the venerable Mac website TidBITS, and blogger/author Matt Neuburg had written a post about SheepShaver. This oddly-named application is a PowerPC Mac emulator, one of several that are available for both Mac and Windows. Neuburg does a good job of explaining the process of getting a ROM image, then using a Mac OS 9 installer CD to get SheepShaver up and running. Matt pointed out a website, E-Maculation, that is dedicated to Mac emulators and how to get them up and running. While my client loved the solution I was able to provide to her, running Classic under Snow Leopard might be a better (and more fun!) solution for other Mac users. If you're up to the challenge and fun of setting up SheepShaver on a Snow Leopard Mac, be sure to take a look at both Matt's post and the E-Maculation website. In the meantime, I'm going to go put my aluminum foil hat to make sure that Matt stops reading my mind. [via TidBITS]
Quick and dirty troubleshooting
There's a great post at creativebits today listing some basic troubleshooting techniques. I like it because it lists some simple tasks that anyone can perform. Some of the tried-and-true techniques include: Restarting Quitting unused apps Installing updates Re-installing a misbehaving app Back when I was a part of an IT team, we always checked the simplest solution first. Printer isn't recognized? Is it plugged in? How about turned on? You may laugh, but ruling out the easy answers makes things clearer and it often solves the problem. There are many more tips at creativebits so read the whole post. It's true that the Mac OS still has its problems, but least we've moved beyond the Extension Conflict Hell that plagued many pre-OS X users. Or my other favorite, The Chooser. "That port is in use ...." Good times.
Mac 101: Reclaim your function keys
There are a handful of things I miss from OS 9, like programmable function keys (and Extension conflicts. I kid.). Just like The Apple Menu and the Happy Mac, fully customizable function keys were killed by Apple's big cats. However, we're not at a loss. The folks at Bitbox have described the simple steps needed to get some of that old flexibility back. First, launch system preferences and click the "Keyboard" tab. Next, select the "Use all F1, F2 etc. keys as standard function keys" option.Now, you can use your function keys as nature intended. Their specialty functions are still available, too (like volume and brightness); just hold down the "fn" key while hitting the key of your choice.
Sticky Windows updated to version 1.2
Sticky Windows by Donelleschi Software is a utility that brings those great tabbed windows from the classic Mac OS back to Mac OS X. Once it's up and running you only need to drag any window to an edge of your screen to have it exist there as a small, unobtrusive tab. Click that tab to reveal its window, and click again to hide it. I've played around with the demo for a little while this afternoon, and it's pretty nice. I'm the type that likes an ultra-tidy desktop (no icons), and this plus Quicksilver and Command-Tab is working for me. Changes in version 1.2 include: "Keep always open" button added to every tab Fading effect removed to improve speed Improved compatibility with Mac OS 10.4 Application efficiency improvement Sticky Windows requires Mac OS 10.3 or later and costs $14.95 for a single license.[Via Resexcellence]
