Dan Knight
- 2006.06.06
Help, I Need Internet Explorer for My Mac!
Gara Gillentine writes:
Relative to the following: How
Microsoft Could Profit by Selling Internet Explorer for Mac
Dear Dan,
I wanted to just drop a note to you concerning the above article
and let you all know at least one person's feelings about IE and
the iMac G5 problem.
I had been searching for Internet Explorer for my "new"
refurbished iMac G5. After using my old Power Mac G3 since 1998, I
just upgraded a few weeks ago to DSL and the iMac G5 and thought
I'd finally made it to the world of speed and video. NOT!
I have come across so much video, all of which is Katrina
related - I live in Mississippi and have a special interest in
weather and this hurricane in particular - but I cannot watch any
that I have found because it requires Internet Explorer!
I'm fed up with all of this mess that Apple and Microsoft seem
to be unnecessarily creating, which causes problems for us Mac
users. How disappointing that IE is no longer made for new Macs.
What's their point in making things so narrow and difficult?
Every time I think I've upgraded and updated my systems and
software, I eventually find (usually within a day or so of Web
surfing) that it's never enough. Never the right software. Never
the right version. Never anything!
It's extremely irritating, as is the email program that comes on
the new iMacs!
What happened to the "good ole days" of web surfing when things
worked with a Mac. I guess I'm trapped in a Mac warp, because I'll
never use a PC - I hate them! I would gladly pay to have IE and
Outlook Express on my iMac G5!!
Just wanted to let you know.
Regards,
Gara
Oxford, MS
http://www.sarabluesky.com
Nobody was at all surprised when Microsoft stopped
updating Internet Explorer for the Mac. Microsoft has enough on its
plate with Windows XP, security updates, Vista development, feature
bloat, attacking open source software, and dealing with governments
that don't like the way Microsoft abuses its position in the
industry.
Besides which, there are plenty of good browsers
for the Mac. In addition to Safari, we have Opera and Firefox,
which are both excellent browsers. And then there are some Mac-only
ones: iCab, Camino, and OmniWeb. I've used them all, and I'll take
any one of them over Internet Explorer 5.2.x any day.
That said, none of them are Internet Explorer, and
that causes problems because some websites aren't designed to
Internet standards at all - just to Microsoft standards. Worse yet,
many IE-only sites developed in recent years require IE 5.5 or
later - which was never released for the Mac. And on top of that IE
5.2 for the Mac isn't the same as IE 5.x for Windows, so even a
site that works with IE 5.x on a PC may not work properly with IE
5.x on a Mac.
You really can't blame Apple or the Mozilla
Foundation when Safari or Firefox won't display a page properly.
Except for IE, all browsers are designed to support Internet
standards. The problem is multifaceted:
Like Netscape before it, Microsoft has created
proprietary extensions to Internet standards. There are commands
that only IE understands.
Microsoft's Front Page and server software are
designed to create code specifically for IE. That makes it easier
on page designers who use Windows.
On the one hand, there's the problem that these
pages may not work correctly on non-Microsoft browsers (and older
versions of IE, and IE for Mac). On the other, there's the problem
that sites compliant with Web standards may not work correctly with
IE.
For instance, we moved Low End Mac to a CSS-based
format last year, and the new design worked beautifully in all the
Mac browsers of the day, except for iCab. It even worked with older
Mac browsers, including IE 5.1 and 5.2. But it was horribly broken
with IE 5.5 and 6.0 - something that impacted 1/3 of the visitors
to our site and that I couldn't see without getting a WinXP PC.
Even then it took weeks of Googling,
experimenting, coding, asking questions, learning how nonstandard
IE is, and discovering ways to work around IE's quirks before our
standards compliant design worked properly on the world's most
popular browser.
The problem isn't that Microsoft no longer
develops IE for the Mac, nor is it that they won't even let you
download the last version. The problem is websites that use IE-only
technology instead of industry standards, figuring that the 10% of
Internet users who can't, won't, or don't choose to use Internet
Explorer can be ignored.
And if you do need access to those sites,
Microsoft will gladly welcome you to the world of Windows. You have
nothing to lose but you security, privacy, time, and
productivity.
Looking for an ADB Mouse
From "the mac acito's":
My old Avid runs on a 9600. I need
a mouse - any clue where I can find one? It's a pre-USB connection.
I don't know what it's called.
From March 1987, when it was introduced to the Mac
world with the Mac II and SE, and until August 1998, every Mac had
ADB (Apple Desktop Bus) ports for both the mouse and keyboard.
Every Mac since the iMac has used
USB.
It's nearly 8 years since Apple abandoned ADB, and
to the best of my knowledge nobody is making ADB mice these days.
However, there are some dealers who support older Macs and have
inventory. Here are a few:
Another option, albeit a bit pricey, is the US$25
Stealth ADB
adapter from GeeThree that lets you use any PS/2 mouse with an ADB
Mac. There's even a driver that lets you use the additional buttons
and scroll wheels commonly found on PC mice.
Mac IIfx ROM in an SE/30
Steve Johansson writes:
I saw your request for information regarding the title of this
email [in our Mac SE/30
profile].
Yes, it works. I have performed the operation and briefly ran
Mac OS 8.1 on my old SE/30. However, I have a 68040 accelerator in
the box that simply would not work with the new ROM.
The advantages of 8.1 at 16 MHz ('030) were vastly outweighed by
the 40 MHz '040 and [System] 7.5.5. The performance difference is
night and day.
Steve Johansson
Thanks for writing, Steve. Yours is the first
report I've heard of IIfx ROMs in an
SE/30 with an '040 accelerator. I'll add a note to the SE/30
profile about it.
If any readers have successfully used IIfx or
IIsi ROMs in an SE/30 with an
accelerator, I'd love to hear about it.
iMac Part Numbers, RAM Prices
Bill Taylor writes:
I own a Blue Dalmatian, iMac
600 model M5521. The specs match the normal: 40 gig HD, slot
load CD-RW, etc. I have in my possession a graphite iMac 700, 60 gig HD, etc.,
again, M5521. This is at variance with the model rundown for CRT
iMacs on the website.
But along with the feedback, is there any reasonable source for
512 MB memory boards that fit these machines for less than the
usual ~$100 each. Requiring mirrored memory, this is an investment!
To get the computers up to the minimum 512 megs memory or better
required for OS X 10.4. The 1024 of memory would run my
Photoshop nicer, too.
Bill, the part numbers we post on Low End Mac come
from Apple's website where possible, Mactracker otherwise, and from LEM
readers in cases where neither Apple nor Mactracker lists them.
M5521 is a family number shared by all
slot-loading iMacs regardless of CPU speed or color. I'm updating
all of the G3 iMac profiles to include family number.
As for the best RAM prices, I always check
ramseeker. At present, you
can buy 512 MB modules for US$59 shipped, a far cry from the US$100
you're seeing. BTW, you don't need to add matched sets of memory in
the G3 iMac.
Bill replies:
Things just get curiouser and curiouser. But corporate policy
just is. Thank you very much for the memory source. Far
better prices than I've seen from my own browsing. I wonder why so
many places have mentioned that 'aquarium' iMacs have mirrored
memory requirements? But it's good to know I can upgrade
piecemeal.
If you're too busy to answer, I understand, but I've 'acquired'
a 700 MHz iMac (w/512 MB of
memory!) that stopped working during or after a lightening storm.
The assumption is that the power supply is fried. Do you know if
all slot loaders, or even all iMacs, use the same power supply? If
I can't find or install a new power supply, and have two
functioning computers, the best parts of each will make a better
unit than I had. There isn't a circuit breaker or fuse I don't know
of that might be a simpler fix? If questions aren't really your
favorite way to spend time, are there any decent websites for Mac
repair and diagnosis? I probably learn more investigating a good
link anyway.
I admire the aim of your website. Most of us don't need a $3,000
computer, and getting the best out of an adequate one is nice.
I can't imagine how much I've saved on memory
upgrades through the years by using ramseeker. I can tell you that
we've been linking to the site since the service was new.
To the best of my knowledge, all slot-loading
iMacs (the M5521 family) use the same power supply. Assuming that's
the problem, your best bet for picking one up affordably is
probably the Low End Mac Swap List,
followed by eBay and Mac dealers who support older
models.
The focus of Low End Mac is value, and we updated
the graphic at the top of the page with the phrase "How much Mac do
you need?" earlier this year to reflect that. While an underpowered
Mac can reduce your productivity, an overpowered one means you've
spent more than you need to. Finding the sweet spot that balances
price and power is what we're all about.
Use StyleWriter 2500 Drivers with 2400
Thanks to all the readers who wrote in to help Clarisse Leite Motter find the
right drivers for her StyleWriter 2400. Here are some of the emails
we received:
StyleWriter 2400 Software
Mark Casserley writes:
Dan,
I hope this is the right address to use!
I think the link Clarisse Leite Motter (Low End Mac Mailbag
2006.5.31) was looking for - and may already have found - was
probably:
- http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=30153
That's the "StyleWriter Printers: Print Drivers and Cables
Matrix" page on Apple's site. It confirms that the StyleWriter 2500
driver is the one to use.
Incidentally, this came up near the top of the Google page, but
then I entered the search into Google via the browser's toolbar,
and in any case I'm using Camino under OS X 10.2.8
(and running a G3-upgraded 7300, so
very low end on the hardware side, too!).
Hope this helps,
Mark Casserley
StyleWriter 2400 Drivers
Dan Cheng writes:
Hi Dan,
In response to Clarisse Leite Motter's request for CSW2400
drivers, one can actually find them on Apple's website.
The hierarchy is: Apple Home Page -> Support -> Downloads
-> "Additional Resources" column: Older Software Downloads
or here:
- http://www.info.apple.com/support/oldersoftwarelist.html
Apparently she needs to scroll down and find/download the
StyleWriter 2500 driver (it works for the 2400 also).
If you can pass this on to her, that would be great, if no one
else has made this suggestion.
Blessings,
Dan
Clarisse Leite Motter and the Apple StyleWriter
Claessens writes:
I decided that I would help the person that wrote the "Mad at
Low End Mac" e-mail.
A list for all of apples Style writers can be located here:
StyleWriter Printers: Print Drivers and Cable Matrix
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=30153
Apple actually recommends downloading the driver for the
StyleWriter 2500 for all models between the 2200 and the 2500. It
can be downloaded here: Color StyleWriter 2500
- <
http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/
Apple_Software_Updates/English-North_American/Macintosh/
Printing/
StyleWriter/Color_SW_2500_2.2.1-NetInst.sea.bin>
Also, a list of English North-American software downloads for
Macintosh, Apple II and Newton released prior to Mac OS 8.1 in
January 1998 can be found at: the Older Software Downloads page
http://www.info.apple.com/support/oldersoftwarelist.html
Another place to look for drivers while it is still up is The
Mac Driver Museum.
http://www.macdrivermuseum.net/
Hope this helps.
StyleWriter 2400 Driver
Dan Finegan writes:
Here's a link to the driver the lady is searching for
. . . scroll down to "Apple Printers" and note that the
StyleWriter 2500 driver is specified for the 2400. The link to the
driver works.
http://www.pure-mac.com/hard.html#printapp
Regards - Dan Finegan
No Longer Mad at LEM
Following up on some non-driver issues mentioned in Mad at Low End Mac, Clarisse Leite
Motter writes:
Dan,
Thanks for the info.
I'm not particularly fond of IE 5.0/5.1, (its "Security Zones"
drive me insane).
As
for the lithium batteries, when I'm able to, I'll deal with that,
and I appreciated your info. I'm not sure whether the
(academically-oriented-only) All-In-One
G3 ("Molar)" will have the battery located at the same place,
since its monitor is built-in and its components slide out on a
tray. Guess I'll find that out once I go digging inside it - as
soon as I can get someone strong enough to get it up from the floor
to the desk. I've never seen any computer as heavy as this one.
It's heavier than my Kurzweil 81-note Digital Sampler (and I used
to carry that, myself . . . until my back said "No
More!!!")
Well! That's it, for now.
Cordially,
Clarisse Leite Motter
When it comes to Internet Explorer 5.x on the
classic Mac OS, Charles W. Moore
sums up my thoughts nicely: "While it pains me to say it, when iCab
isn't a viable solution, the best alternative is probably Internet
Explorer 5.1, which installs by default with OS 9. I find IE
for Classic tends to cause stability problems, and I hate using it,
but it does still work on most sites."
Updated Link for System 6 Downloads
After finding a broken link in The
Joy of Six: Apple's Fast, Svelte, Reliable, and Still Useful System
6, Ryan Schmidt writes:
You list the link to download System 6 from Apple's website
incorrectly. The correct URL is:
http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/
Apple_Software_Updates/English-North_American/
Macintosh/System/Older_System/System_6.0.x/
You suggest that 6.0.7, 6.0.8 and 6.0.8L are downloadable from
this URL. In fact, only 6.0.3, 6.0.5 and 6.0.8 are available now
from Apple.
- Ryan Schmidt
Ryan, thanks for emailing this information. The
link and information in the article were correct when it was posted
last December, but Apple has the unfortunate habit of rearranging
things on their servers (we're committed to not doing that at LEM).
In this case, the big difference was adding one more level of
folders, so Macintosh/Older_System became
Macintosh/System/Older_System.
Thanks for not only pointing out the broken link but especially
for providing a corrected one. I've already updated the article
with the new URL and a note that only System 6.0.3, 6.0.5, and
6.0.8 are available for download.
Dan Knight has been publishing Low
End Mac since April 1997. Mailbag columns come from email responses to his Mac Musings, Mac Daniel, Online Tech Journal, and other columns on the site.
