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bunnspecial

macrumors G3
May 3, 2014
8,352
6,495
Kentucky
You said you need to use the driver in OS X.

I did not say any such thing. I said that I needed low-level access to the PCI bus to make this stuff work.

Operating in Classic doesn't give me that.

And, again, what benefit do I have from using the more resource intensive classic environment as opposed to running OS 9? Bear in mind my comment for one application about how it WILL NOT work on a computer faster than 500mhz, and is buggy with a front side bus faster than 133mhz.

One other thing-while we're at it, what are these "drivers" that keep being mentioned? I don't recall running across drivers for either OS 9 or OS X, and the stuff I'm using certainly doesn't have them.
 

Jordan XP

macrumors member
Jul 5, 2019
87
6
Yeah, but what do you mean?

OK.
1. Install the driver in Classic environment.
2
I did not say any such thing. I said that I needed low-level access to the PCI bus to make this stuff work.

Operating in Classic doesn't give me that.

And, again, what benefit do I have from using the more resource intensive classic environment as opposed to running OS 9? Bear in mind my comment for one application about how it WILL NOT work on a computer faster than 500mhz, and is buggy with a front side bus faster than 133mhz.

I am confused. You are talking about using the scanner in OS X, and you said the driver is OS 9 native.
I believe Classic already has low-level access. I believe you can go into Classic Preferences to change that.
 

bunnspecial

macrumors G3
May 3, 2014
8,352
6,495
Kentucky
I am confused. You are talking about using the scanner in OS X, and you said the driver is OS 9 native.
I believe Classic already has low-level access. I believe you can go into Classic Preferences to change that.

What is confusing you? You're talking about using the scanner(or NMR) in OS X, and I'm explaining why I haven't been able to get it to work regardless of what level of access I give classic.

Also, you still haven't answered WHY I would want to do it this way. Saying it's a "more modern experience" doesn't cut it when the computers don't access the internet, and literally their only(okay, main, in the case of the scanner) is to operate those specific pieces of hardware.
 
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Jordan XP

macrumors member
Jul 5, 2019
87
6
Just saw a poll on this forum for what OS people use on their PPC Macs and about 25% voted that they use Mac OS 9 or earlier.
The only browser available for that OS (that is most modern) is Classilla and the same is true for every version of OS X under 10.4.
Wikipedia said the browser has not had any updates in 5 years or more, and Classilla renders websites terrible or not at all. No security updates, nothing. Abandoned.
Is there any way to develop a new browser for OS 9 (like TenFourFox) or something similar?
Many people still use the Classic OS, so a good browser should be available for them to use, right?
Another stupid idea, maybe, but if possible it would be well worth it to put in some hard work to make an up to date browser for OS 9/early versions of OS X

Please change the title from "A new browser is needed for Mac OS 9" to "A new browser is needed for Mac OS 9 and Panther".
 

bunnspecial

macrumors G3
May 3, 2014
8,352
6,495
Kentucky
Please change the title from "A new browser is needed for Mac OS 9" to "A new browser is needed for Mac OS 9 and Panther".

Where has anyone mentioned needing Panther in this thread?

As a side note, I'm going to try a bit of an experiment this afternoon. I normally run my Coolscan III on a Digital Audio G4 with a dual 1.8ghz Sonnet. I bought this particular computer from a member of this forum-it's in a heavy Marathon brand rack mount case, which is why I put that particular Sonnet in it(the thermals are much better than a standard G4 case).

In any case, I'm at my parents for the weekend and didn't lug that with me. I did, however, dig out a dual 1ghz Quicksilver(factory). It's currently an OS 9 only system, but is kind of interesting in that it has a factory configuration of dual 80gb HDDs in RAID. In any case, it also has the factory Adaptec 2930CU card and a I've upgraded it to a Geforce 4Ti(bought this one from a member who use to frequent this sub-forum). I'm going to install Tiger on it and see if I can get the Coolscan II I have here working in Classic-from what I remember it doesn't work, but I'll attempt it.
 
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redheeler

macrumors G3
Oct 17, 2014
8,602
9,212
Colorado, USA
Please change the title from "A new browser is needed for Mac OS 9" to "A new browser is needed for Mac OS 9 and Panther".
There is little reason to run Panther over Tiger on G4 and G5 Macs, as I've mentioned before. For early G3s that perform better in Panther, running Mac OS 9 is a better option than Panther from a performance perspective, and all G3s can boot it natively or in the Classic environment. An OS 9 browser will work not only on these Macs, but also the 60x-based Macs like my PowerBook 1400c from 1997 (yes, even a Mac of that age can go online). This is why resources were devoted to Classilla and TenFourFox over a browser for older versions of Mac OS X like Panther.

Unfortunately, I don't think we'll ever see a modern browser for Mac OS 9 or Panther due to the difficulty of back-porting the code. Because Mozilla is focused on modern Macs (though I have little use for Firefox on modern versions of MacOS, where it ironically still feels antiquated compared to other browsers), even TenFourFox is in danger of slipping behind. It's a sad reality for PPC Macs indeed.
 

Jordan XP

macrumors member
Jul 5, 2019
87
6
There is little reason to run Panther over Tiger on G4 and G5 Macs, as I've mentioned before. For early G3s that perform better in Panther, running Mac OS 9 is a better option than Panther from a performance perspective, and all G3s can boot it natively or in the Classic environment. An OS 9 browser will work not only on these Macs, but also the 60x-based Macs like my PowerBook 1400c from 1997 (yes, even a Mac of that age can go online). This is why resources were devoted to Classilla and TenFourFox over a browser for older versions of Mac OS X like Panther.

Unfortunately, I don't think we'll ever see a modern browser for Mac OS 9 or Panther due to the difficulty of back-porting the code. Because Mozilla is (somewhat understandably) focused on modern Macs (though admittedly I have little use for Firefox on modern versions of MacOS), even TenFourFox is in danger of slipping behind. It's a sad reality for PPC Macs indeed.

So Panther is fast on G3s, Tiger on G4s, and Leopard on G5s?

Just saw a poll on this forum for what OS people use on their PPC Macs and about 25% voted that they use Mac OS 9 or earlier.
The only browser available for that OS (that is most modern) is Classilla and the same is true for every version of OS X under 10.4.
Wikipedia said the browser has not had any updates in 5 years or more, and Classilla renders websites terrible or not at all. No security updates, nothing. Abandoned.
Is there any way to develop a new browser for OS 9 (like TenFourFox) or something similar?
Many people still use the Classic OS, so a good browser should be available for them to use, right?
Another stupid idea, maybe, but if possible it would be well worth it to put in some hard work to make an up to date browser for OS 9/early versions of OS X

Also, I want to run a Terminal command in OS 9, but it is entirely GUI-based. Is there any way to run Terminal commands in OS 9?
 
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bunnspecial

macrumors G3
May 3, 2014
8,352
6,495
Kentucky
Also, I want to run a Terminal command in OS 9, but it is entirely GUI-based. Is there any way to run Terminal commands in OS 9?

No.

You have a terminal in OS X since it is a Unix-like or UNIX OS(depending on the specific version as to which category it is). OS 9 really has no straightforward way to access its underpinnings.
[doublepost=1566059591][/doublepost]
So Panther is fast on G3s, Tiger on G4s, and Leopard on G5s?

Tiger is at least as fast as Panther on most G3s. Most G4s can run Leopard fine.
 
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Jordan XP

macrumors member
Jul 5, 2019
87
6
No.

You have a terminal in OS X since it is a Unix-like or UNIX OS(depending on the specific version as to which category it is). OS 9 really has no straightforward way to access its underpinnings.

So the best thing to do is to probably modify the System Folder?
 

redheeler

macrumors G3
Oct 17, 2014
8,602
9,212
Colorado, USA
So Panther is fast on G3s, Tiger on G4s, and Leopard on G5s?
It's not quite that simple as it depends on the specific Mac's configuration. For example, a dual 1.42 GHz Power Mac G4 MDD with a later Quartz Extreme and Core Image-capable GPU will run Leopard much better than a 500 MHz Power Mac G4 Sawtooth with the original Rage 128 Pro installed. Because Leopard is more graphically-demanding, the GPU matters as well as the CPU.

Most later G4s will run Leopard acceptably. Some optimizations like turning off the 3D Dock are a good idea, especially if the GPU is not Core Image-capable.

Edit: Forgot to add that later G3s also run Tiger acceptably. If installing on an early or unsupported G3, some optimizations like disabling Dashboard are a good idea. You should be able to get usable performance out of the OS with enough RAM installed.
 
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Jordan XP

macrumors member
Jul 5, 2019
87
6
It's not quite that simple as it depends on the specific Mac's configuration. For example, a dual 1.42 GHz Power Mac G4 MDD with a later Quartz Extreme and Core Image-capable GPU will run Leopard much better than a 500 MHz Power Mac G4 Sawtooth with the original Rage 128 Pro installed. Because Leopard is more graphically-demanding, the GPU matters just as much as the CPU.

Most later G4s will run Leopard acceptably. Some optimizations like turning off the 3D Dock are a good idea.

You cannot turn off the 3D dock. However, you can turn off the semi-transparent menu bar.
 

bunnspecial

macrumors G3
May 3, 2014
8,352
6,495
Kentucky
So the best thing to do is to probably modify the System Folder?

The best thing to do is leave it alone unless you know exactly what you're trying to accomplish
[doublepost=1566061071][/doublepost]
You cannot turn off the 3D dock. However, you can turn off the semi-transparent menu bar.

Sorry, but you're wrong on this. Putting it on the side of the screen does it automatically. Otherwise, you can do it through Secrets preference pane or by typing

defaults write com.apple.dock no-glass -boolean YES

in the terminal(reboot or relaunch the dock afterwards).

I've done it on all of my Leo systems that don't have CI GPUs.
 

Jordan XP

macrumors member
Jul 5, 2019
87
6
The best thing to do is leave it alone unless you know exactly what you're trying to accomplish
[doublepost=1566061071][/doublepost]

Sorry, but you're wrong on this. Putting it on the side of the screen does it automatically. Otherwise, you can do it through Secrets preference pane or by typing

defaults write com.apple.dock no-glass -boolean YES

in the terminal(reboot or relaunch the dock afterwards).

I've done it on all of my Leo systems that don't have CI GPUs.

OK. I got it. Thank you.
 
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Jubadub

macrumors 6502
Nov 1, 2017
342
425
What happened to your recommendations for Jaguar, Puma, and Cheetah? Surely, they must need browsers too.
And let us also not forget Rhapsody and BeOS.

Oh, and also A/UX, why, of course!

Oh, and, x86 KanjiTalk 7.1 could use a modern browser, too. :rolleyes:
 

ScreenSavers

macrumors 68020
Feb 26, 2016
2,125
1,677
Bloomingdale, GA
And Windows 95. And System 7 and Mac OS 8. And Intel Leopard. And iOS 5 on the original iPad.

I would like a browser for OS 9 as well but there are so many other obsolete systems at this point that a modern browser for them all is never going to happen.
 

bunnspecial

macrumors G3
May 3, 2014
8,352
6,495
Kentucky
I thought that I would give the Classic environment an honest try with the specific goal of operating a SCSI Nikon scanner.

So, with that in mind, I dug out the Quicksilver I mentioned earlier that only has OS 9 installed. I spent a good part of the day(on and off between other things) actually GETTING the CoolScan II to work. Unlike the III, which can use Nikon Scan 3, the newest version that will work with 1.6.3. Fortunately, Nikon still has it on their servers.

Unfortunately, going back to the original point of this thread, Classilla 9.3.3 fell over flat trying to download it directly from Nikon-I ended up having to download it using my MBP and transferring it on a flash drive. Also, 802.11b is painful, but wired internet is not possible where this computer is currently set up, so I made it work(I was able to download a few other odds and ends I needed from Macintosh Garden, but one particular ~300mb download I just started before going out to dinner and let it run).

Unfortunately, even in 2019, Nikon doesn't know how to write good software, and especially for Macs. I found Nikon Scan 1.6.3 horribly buggy to the point that it would crash OS 9 before I could even do anything with it.

I was reminded of one BIG benefit of OS 9 that disappeared in OS X, though-it's possible to install the Nikon Scan plug-in in Photoshop 7 and scan directly in Photoshop rather than having to manually open it there after scanning. I'd forgotten efficient of a workflow this is, and I need to set up my Coolscan III to work this way.

This is quite a nice arrangement(BTW, note that I'm running OS 9 on a 1920x1200 Cinema display-if I had the space I could use two of these side by side).

IMG_0111.jpg


Nikon explicitly states that Nikon Scan can not access the scanners in Classic mode, BTW

https://www.nikonimgsupport.com/na/NSG_article?articleNo=000025948&configured=1&lang=en_SG

None the less, I'm installing Tiger now

IMG_0112.jpg
 

Jordan XP

macrumors member
Jul 5, 2019
87
6
What happened to your recommendations for Jaguar, Puma, and Cheetah? Surely, they must need browsers too.

Classilla works as a browser for basic websites on Mac OS 8.6 to 10.3.9.
TenFourFox works as a much better browser for websites, but only works with 10.4 and 10.5.
And finally, there's Leopard-WebKit, which is compatible with 10.5 only.

I'd suggest an upgrade to 10.4 or 10.5 for a more modern browser, and a more modern experience.
 

bunnspecial

macrumors G3
May 3, 2014
8,352
6,495
Kentucky
Classilla works as a browser for basic websites on Mac OS 8.6 to 10.3.9.

Yes, Clasilla works, but there's a lot of stuff that it just absolutely can't do.

Exhibit A above-I needed to download software from Nikon's website, and returned an error of "no common communication protocol available."

Even 5 years ago, when MR was still running VBulletin and not Xenforo, that I could sit and have at least a decent experience posting and browsing on it with my 9600/200MP. VBulletin still more or less works okay in Classilla, whereas Xenforo is a complete and total disaster.

Several of us could legitimately use this, but I'll freely admit that I don't have the knowledge or skills to make it happen.
 
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