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Mac OS 9
| Version of Mac OS | |
 | |
 | |
| Version | 9 |
|---|---|
| Codename | Sonata (9.0), Minuet (9.0.x), Fortissimo (9.1), Moonlight (9.2), Limelight (9.2.1), LU1 (9.2.2) |
| Architecture | PPC |
| Release date | 1999-10-23 |
| Support end | 2002-02-01 |
Mac OS X Cheetah (10.0) | |
Mac OS 9 is the final incarnation of the classic "Mac OS". Codenamed Sonata for its initial revision, it boasted many new Internet-based features. OS 9, like its predecessors, lacked protected memory and full pre-emptive multitasking. Mac OS 9 was initially branded as Mac OS 8.7, originally intended to be an update build to Mac OS 8.6. Development of Mac OS 9 ceased during 2001. The final updates are fixes for compatibility issues with the "Classic" environment.
New features and changes[edit | edit source]
Apple advertised Mac OS 9 as including "50 new features", with the Sherlock II software being heavily marketed which introduced a "channels" feature for searching different online resources. This version of Mac OS also added support for Apple's suite of services known as iTools, which would later be re-branded as .Mac, then MobileMe and later iCloud. QuickTime also received a metallic-like appearance and most applications received improved TCP/IP functionality. Other features include:
- Integrated support for multiple user accounts with the Multiple Users control panel applet, no longer requiring At Ease;
- Support for voice login through VoicePrint passwords;
- Keychain, allowing users to save passwords and textual data in protected, encrypted keychains;
- A Software Update control panel applet, allowing for the system to be updated over the internet, where previously each update was an individual release on discs or on Apple's website;
- A redesigned Sound control panel applet, allowing for support of USB audio;
- Speakable Items 2.0 (known as PlainTalk), featuring improved speech synthesis and recognition along with AppleScript integration;
- FontSync, allowing for easier font management;
- Remote Access Personal Server 3.5, including support for TCP/IP clients over the Point-to-point Protocol;
- An updated version of AppleScript with support for TCP/IP;
- Personal File Sharing over TCP/IP;
- USB Printer Sharing, with a control panel applet allowing certain USB printers to be shared across a TCP/IP network;
- Built-in 128-bit file encryption in the Finder;
- Support for files larger than 2GB;
- Unix volume support, allowing for volumes to now be formatted and accessed as either Mac OS UFS or Mac OS Server UFS.
Some features were also only included in Mac OS 9.1, like CD burning in the Finder or the addition of a "Window" menu.
List of known builds[edit | edit source]
Available build Confirmed build Unconfirmed build Fake build 8.7 (9.0 Beta)[edit | edit source]
9.0 (Beta)[edit | edit source]
9.0[edit | edit source]
9.1 (Beta)[edit | edit source]
9.1[edit | edit source]
9.2 (Beta)[edit | edit source]
9.2[edit | edit source]
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