Mac OS X Panther build 7A179

7A179
	Build of Mac OS X Panther
Architecture	PPC
Compiled	2003-06-16
Timebomb
Works in
About

Mac OS X Panther build 7A179 is a beta build of Mac OS X Panther. The server version of this build is set to expire on 31 December 2003. This build introduces massive changes to Finder. It is also the first build to introduce Safari and Exposé.

New features and changes[edit | edit source]

Setup[edit | edit source]

The option to change the Startup Disk was added to the "Installer" menu. The Installer Log has also been overhauled, with it now containing the same style as modern macOS. This style includes the "Show Errors Only", "Show Errors and Progress" and "Show Everything" options, intended to replace the "Show More Details" button. With that, the folding-out styled section has been completely removed. Instead, all the logs are now shown, depending on the option.

The installer now checks the installation disc after the installation starts. This checking however, can be skipped.

Disk Utility[edit | edit source]

Disk Utility received a major overhaul. The "Disks & Partitions" and "Disk Images" areas are now seperated and the "Information" tab was completely removed. Instead, the selected disk's data is shown on the bottom.

The "Restore" function was added to Disk Utility. This allows the user to restore a Disk Image to a USB drive or clone a disk drive to another disk drive.

Formats[edit | edit source]

Support for the Journaled version of the Mac OS Extended format was added.

Login screen[edit | edit source]

The login screen received an updated Apple logo. The "Mac OS X" font has also been changed and the Sleep option was added.

Finder[edit | edit source]

Finder received a massive overhaul, obtaining a metal-like theme. A new "Config" option was added, which contains the "New Folder" and "Get Info" options inside. The search option now received a magnifying glass icon alongside the folder the user is currently in.

A sidebar has been added. This sidebar shows the user's partitions and the Network, while also showing their home folder, Applications, Documents, Movies, Music and Pictures.

The Finder icon received an update. This icon is however only shown on the Dock, as the old logo is used in About Finder.

User interface[edit | edit source]

The Aqua interface has been updated, removing some of the pinstripe areas that was seen in previous versions, while being replaced with a more metal-ish design. However, the old shadow effect on text was still in use.

Safari[edit | edit source]

Safari is now included, which was intended to replace the Internet Explorer that was used on previous versions. This inclusion was due to the five-year agreement contract between Apple and Microsoft from 1997 being close to ending.

Exposé[edit | edit source]

Exposé was added. Exposé allows the user to temporarily see all of the user's open windows at once, so you can easily click on any window to bring it to the front.

System Preferences[edit | edit source]

The ColorSync, Login Items, My Account and Screen Effects preferences were removed, and the Print & Fax and Security preferences were added. The "General" preference was also renamed to "Appearance".

Faxing[edit | edit source]

Support for faxing was added.

Internet Explorer[edit | edit source]

Despite the five-year agreement between Apple and Microsoft being close to ending, Internet Explorer is still present in the system and would remain as an option in the Setup until Tiger. Internet Explorer itself has also been updated to version 5.2.2.

X11[edit | edit source]

X11 has been added. It is now available as an option in the Setup.

iCal[edit | edit source]

iCal has been added. This allows the user to view the calendar while using Mac OS X.

iSync[edit | edit source]

iSync version 1.1 has been added. iSync allows the user to sync iCal and Address Book data to SyncML-enabled mobile phones, via Bluetooth or by using a USB connection. iSync in this version also synchronizes the user's Safari bookmarks with the now-defunct .Mac subscription service.

Font Book[edit | edit source]

Font Book was added. This allows the user to manage installed fonts.

Application updates[edit | edit source]

iChat has now been updated to version 2. This version adds video and audio conferencing capabilities based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).
iTunes was updated to version 4.0.1. This version includes Music Store support, the AAC audio codec, DVD burning, music sharing and overall GUI improvements.
iPhoto was updated to version 2.
iMovie was updated to version 3.0.3.
Calculator was updated to version 3.1.
QuickTime Player was updated to version 6.4d37.
Sherlock was updated to version 3.6.
System Profiler was updated to version 4. This version includes more information about the hardware, with folding-out styled sections.

Miscellaneous[edit | edit source]

The Darwin kernel version was updated to 7.0.0b1.
The shutdown dialog now contains a timer that after 120 seconds, either powers off or restarts the computer.
About This Mac now received a more squared corner design. This design would remain up until OS X Mavericks.
Support was added for the Pixlet video codec in Quicktime.
Preview now has improved PDF rendering.
TextEdit can now open Microsoft Word documents.