on 24/6/04 12:40, Mac UK at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Some of you might be aware I'm a journalist, and sometimes I write > about Mac-related topics. For a forthcoming article I'm on the hunt > for people who still use OS 9, be it for day-to-day general computing > or on a spare machine that sits in the corner and does one specific > job (print server, mail server, music storage, whatever). > > If you or anyone you know is in that situation and wouldn't mind > being interviewed, do gimmie a shout. Much ta. >
I use OS9 (9.2) on my G4 Quicksilver. The only time it has run X was when I started it up out of the box to make it boot in 9. I don't know what version it is, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah or what, but at two years old no doubt it is several upgrades out of date by now. I have no inclination to go to X until absolutely necessary. Everything that I need to do now (graphic design for print) can be accomplished under OS9. I work with several studios and with the exception of the odd machine reserved for a specialist task all are still working with OS9. This is simply because they have an infrastructure that works, they know how to troubleshoot it if need be and in a busy environment everyone needs to be on top of their game. The last thing that is needed is production teething troubles, searching for an OSX driver for peripherals, or finding one's way around around a system that appears quite different from previous versions. Applying OSX across the board would render a proportion of existing equipment useless or require further investment in RAM, processor upgrades, when it can do its job perfectly well under OS9. Then there is the shear cost of upgrading to OSX compliant programs. Unlike 10-15 years ago most upgrades to apps do not offer massive leaps forward but just seem to add a few bells and whistles. QuarkXpress 4 is now 2 upgrades out of date but is still in common use. Likewise I see plenty of older versions of Freehand, Illustrator and Photoshop in use. In my own case there are some programs that I use that have been discontinued. Going to OSX would involve major new investment in my colour output kit which does a perfectly good job under 9. OS9 is very stable, all my software works with it and as a Mac user since 1988 my legacy kit works with it as well (I put a SCSI card in from day one). I'm sure OSX is a fine operating system but for plenty of us it is not a 'must have' right now. I spent a fortune in the early years on enforced keeping up. These days I believe in getting my money's worth out of my investment. I'll go to X someday - after all I started with OS6 - but that won't be in the immediate future. If it ain't broke... Nick PS This email written on a trusty 7100 under 8.6 -- Mac UK is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... 123Inkjets.com <http://lowendmac.com/ad/123inkjets.html> Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Mac UK list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/mac-uk.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/mac-uk%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
