Backwards compatibility with apps

[vexorg]

I've got a few apps, like Parallels, that claim they need a new version bought for El Capitan. I already had to buy "updates" when updating to Mavericks (or maybe Yosemite).

Does OS X have a compatibility mode like windows does that allows older apps to run?
Or is there any other workaround to these incompatible apps for newer OS X versions?

 

[leman]

OS X detects which OS version the app was build/designed for and attempts to adjust its behavior accordingly. The incompatibilities usually arise because of three main reasons:

1. Apps relying on obsolete frameworks/features/APIs. Not much one can do about that.
2. Apps relying on undocumented/unsupported features. This is the responsibility (or lack thereof) of the developer.
3. Apps forcing you to upgrade as part of their marketing strategy. Parallels is of this type. There is not muh reason why they could not give you the 'new version' for free, it certainly doesn't cost them much to update their software for the next OS X version. But its a good source of revenue for them, so hey.

 

[vexorg]

To be honest, it's a bit of a scummy way to work, forcing more sales via a free upgrade from Apple (or microsoft)

 

[NoBoMac]

I used to use VMware. Last version I used, it stopped working with Mavericks: just would not run. I chalked it up to leman's points #1 and #2. But by that time, I had been using that version for three years, with one of those years the program was no longer supported by VMware. So, no complaints and moved onto VirtualBox. Stuff happens (see: printer incompatibilities with new OSes for similar tales of woe).

#3, it might cost them much to update to new OS versions. See #1 and #2. Software engineering to develop/modify code, product test to test, marketing gets involved, possibly get physical media and packaging made. And in the case of Parallels/VMware, they not only are testing the software itself on OS X, but also the guests that run on their products running on current versions of OS X. So, not too unreasonable to charge $50 for upgrades, imo.

 

[vexorg]

The problem with parallels now is that they want to move to a subscription based system, pay per year. Or the more expensive pro version that does exactly the same as the old.

Things change in an OS, that's just product support. Seems to be the way of the world now, people trying to rip you off for a quick buck. A few years ago most software issues would have been fixed as part of the service.

I had the same with SmartFTP for the PC, windows 10 killed that. They only allow whine the 1 year warranty, 6.24 to 6.25 was the windows 10 fix, pay again if you've had it over 1 year.