- 2005.03.08
I was thinking the other day about the fact that sometimes you think
you know how something works, but then someone shows you that you
didn't quite get it. This happens to me a lot, by the way, from all the
very knowledgeable people who stumble across these humble missives and
teach me new things.
For example, sometimes I worry about writing about a feature because
I'm not quite sure I completely understand it and will risk looking
like a doofus™ when I do. Usually Dan (Our Dear Editor) catches
these things and lets me know about them before posting my
articles.
This is one of those things, so if I say something stupid, forgive
me.
I used to be able to do certain things in OS 9, and I miss those
things in OS X. OS X and Aqua are really nice, but there are
a few things I'd like to see return.
For example, I miss those tabbed folders you could make in
OS 9 by dragging the window to the bottom of the screen. The Dock
is supposed to be an evolved version of this - except you can't put
folders in the Dock. [Editor's note: Yes, you can put folders in
the Dock, but they don't work like they did in OS 9.] The folder
tabs didn't do anything unless you clicked on them, and everything
stayed in one place, not sliding around like the Dock has to do make
everything fit.
What else do I miss?
A location function that not only changes my network settings
(as in OS X) but also my preferred printer, desktop picture,
volume settings, and whatever the heck I want to add to the list.
OS 9 used to do it with the Location Manager control panel.
Installing and temporarily disabling system extensions at
startup. [Editor's note: Okay, they're not called extensions any
more, but you know what we mean.] Of course, OS X apologists would
have you believe you don't need to fiddle with system extensions
because OS X never crashes. Not to burst your bubble or anything,
but I've never used a computer I couldn't cause to freeze or crash.
In fact, in my illustrious career, I've managed to crash (software
wise) a copy machine, a calculator, and every operating system I ever
used - OS X, OS 4-9, Apple II, Atari, DOS, all 31 flavors of
Windows™, some Linux distribution I used for a day, a Prime
minicomputer [I kind of cheated on that one], a VIC-20, a Commodore 64,
a Timex-Sinclair 1000, an Atari 2600 home video game, a Pac-man home
version I bought in a joystick handle for Christmas, and a red-LED-only
football game I got in 1980-something.
It was nice being able to fix things without a degree in computer
science. Now, I've cracked open the Terminal and done a few tricks, but
only because I had to. That doesn't mean it was fun.
I also wish OS X could link all kinds of sounds to system
events. I did it with shareware in OS 9 and have never even
looked to see if there's such a thing of OS X. It's not essential,
but it is fun.
I think OS X is great and, given a choice, I use OS X over
OS 9. But that doesn't mean that I think everything about
OS 9 was bad. I still use it on my student machines, for
example.
What do you miss (if anything?) Drop me a note.
Thanks to those who wrote. We've published Lost Classic Mac OS Features Revived for OS X
that explains how to regain tabbed folders, boot in safe mode, add
system sounds, and replace other features lost under OS X.
is a longtime Mac user. He was using digital sensors on Apple II computers in the 1980's and has networked computers in his classroom since before the internet existed. In 2006 he was selected at the California Computer Using Educator's teacher of the year. His students have used NASA space probes and regularly participate in piloting new materials for NASA. He is the author of two books and numerous articles and scientific papers. He currently teaches astronomy and physics in California, where he lives with his twin sons, Jony and Ben.< And there's still a Mac G3 in his classroom which finds occasional use.
