Apple’s major enhancement to its System software, System 7.0, will bring exciting new capabilities to Macintosh computers. Features such as outline fonts, virtual memory, Finder(TM) 7.0 interface, file sharing and interapplication communication promise to enhance the computing experience of every Macintosh user. As we go to press, System 7.0 has "gone beta," and is in the hands of Apple’s 3,000 certified developers. Eagerly awaited by User Groups, System 7.0 has generated much speculation about its capabilities. We recently asked Paul H. Meijer, System Software Product Manager in Apple USA Product Marketing, to address some of the "myths" he has been hearing about System 7.0, and to give us the "facts" on this forthcoming Apple product. He replied by sending us this article written on a Macintosh IIcx running beta 1 of System 7.0 software.
Myth: I’ll need more than 2 megabytes of RAM to "really" run System 7.0.
Fact: Repeat after me: System 7.0 requires 2 megabytes (MB) of RAM and a hard disk. Period. A main reason for the increased RAM size is that MultiFinder(R) operating system software is always "on" now. A 2MB configuration will permit an 800K application space, perfect for running an application such as HyperCard. A good rule of thumb is to add another megabyte of RAM to whatever RAM configuration you’re currently comfortable with using. Current 1MB Macintosh Plus and Macintosh SE users can maintain part of their DRAM investment by keeping two of the 256K DRAM SIMMs already in their machines and adding two new 1MB SIMMs. This solution will give them 2.5MB machines, enough memory to run System 7.0 easily.
Myth: None of my applications will work under System 7.0. To really get all the benefits, I’ll have to buy all new applications.
Fact: This isn’t true, even if you’ll be upgrading from a much older version of system software, such as System 3.2. System 7.0 will have a very high degree of compatibility with existing applications, including 100% compatibility with a "core" set of about 50 applications. Compatibility information will be included with System 7.0 that will tell which applications work and which do not. Generally, if you have the most current version of a software application, there is an excellent chance that it will work and will take advantage of System 7.0 features, without an upgrade. If you have older versions of applications, you may want to upgrade to the current version. Apple is working very closely with our developers, who are hard at work producing applications that take advantage of all the new System 7.0 features. It is possible that some INITs will cause conflicts, but this is true today as well.
Myth: System 7.0 is only "evolutionary" and not "revolutionary," so there’s no reason to upgrade right away.
Fact: System 7.0 incorporates a wealth of new features which will form the basis of innovative applications. New applications will be ready at introduction that use the "Publish and Subscribe" metaphors ("live cut-and-paste") of Interapplication Communication (IAC) to produce better ways of using your Macintosh. With IAC, users can "Publish" any piece of data (text, graphics, sound) from any application to which other applications can then "Subscribe." For example, the chart created in your spreadsheet and pasted to your word processor is automatically updated whenever the data in the chart changes, whether or not the word processor is open. Sections of text in a master library can be subscribed to, and if the master text changes, all documents utilizing the sections will automatically be updated. System 7.0 will bring so many new capabilities to Macintosh users that we’re encouraging all users to upgrade right away. Soon after the introduction, Apple will ship all Macintosh computers with System 7.0 pre-installed on the hard drives.
Myth: System 7.0 will make using the Macintosh a lot more complicated.
Fact: System 7.0 actually makes using the Macintosh easier. There is more user control and consistency built into the Finder. Finder 7.0 is also the first Finder that "finds," and its "Find" command physically opens the folder containing the located file and highlights the file. System 7.0’s new "Help" feature will assist novice users in quickly learning Macintosh concepts, and experienced Macintosh users will find the small touches greatly enhance their productivity and overall computing experience.
Myth: Only Macintosh computers with a 68030 microprocessor (IIx, IIcx, IIci, IIfx, IIsi) will run System 7.0. If I’m a Macintosh Plus or Macintosh SE owner, there’s no reason for me to upgrade.
Fact: A main benefit of an ‘030 chip over a 68020 (as found in the Mac(R) II computer) is a built-in Paged Memory Management Unit (PMMU). A PMMU is required to run Virtual Memory (VM). VM, however, is a small portion of what System 7.0 offers. All Macintosh computers can use TrueType(TM) font technology, Macintosh File Sharing, the new Finder, IAC and AppleEvents(TM) messages. Only the Macintosh Plus, Macintosh Classic(R) , Macintosh SE, Macintosh LC and the Macintosh Portable computers cannot use VM. The Mac II has a socket for an optional PMMU chip, and once installed, it can use virtual memory, too.
Myth: System 6.0.x users will be incompatible with System 7.0 users.
Fact: System 6.0.x and System 7.0 users can work together easily, and on the same network. System 6.0.x users can log onto System 7.0 machines running Macintosh File Sharing and use shared files from the System 7.0 user. The shared folder or hard drive will appear on the desktop like a regular AppleShare(R) network file server volume. Any System 6.0.x user who gets a document from a System 7.0 user with TrueType will have the font scaled to the closest bit map. (This is identical with how it works today between System 6.0.x systems.) Finally, System 6.0.x and System 7.0 users can share the same laser printers. The System 7.0 print drivers are compatible with System 6.0.x, so 6.0.x users need simply to install the print drivers using the disk shipped with System 7.0.
Myth: TrueType font technology will render my investment in PostScript or bit-mapped fonts obsolete.
Fact: All your existing fonts will work in the same way they did before. When a document goes to the printer, the LaserWriter printer driver first checks the internal printer fonts for the necessary size. If it doesn’t find the size, it then looks for Type 1 PostScript fonts in the System folder. If these are not found, it then looks for the appropriate TrueType font. All fonts will be used in the same manner as before. There will be no need to have multiple files containing the same font besides the one TrueType file. We expect that over time people will use only the TrueType file rather than a combination of bit maps and Type 1 fonts. This approach saves disk space, is less confusing, and produces beautiful on-screen type!
Myth: Installing System 7.0 will be a nightmare for individuals and corporations.
Fact: System 7.0 uses the "one-button" installer, making installation much easier. Also, System 7.0 can be installed across an AppleShare network, so System 6.0.x users can "double-click" the installer on an AppleShare volume, and the software will install over the network onto their machine. There is no physical limit to the number of users who can simultaneously upgrade over the network the number is limited only by the size of the installed network.
Myth: If I have problems, I’ll be all alone with no one to call.
Fact: We’ll be working closely with Apple Authorized Resellers and User Groups so they can provide support and can answer adequately any questions you may have. In addition, there will be a great deal of press coverage as well as "How To" books guiding users through System 7.0. On-line services such as AppleLink will also contain 7.0-specific information.
###
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Newsletter Editor:
This article appeared in the January/February 1991 issue of Quick Connect, the Newsletter for Apple User Groups. It may be reproduced in other User Group publications not sold for profit. We require only that credit be given to The Apple Computer User Group Connection and that we receive a copy of any publication in which reprinted articles appear. The Apple User Group Connection, Apple Computer, Inc., 20525 Mariani Avenue, MS: 36/AA, Cupertino, CA 95014.
(c) 1991 Apple Computer, Inc. APDA, Apple, AppleLink, the Apple logo, AppleShare, IIGS, LaserWriter, Mac, Macintosh and MultiFinder are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. AppleEvents, Finder, Quick Connect, The User Group Connection and TrueType are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. AppleWorks and HyperCard are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., licensed to Claris Corp. Classic is a registered trademark licensed to Apple Computer, Inc.
