OPENSTEP 4.0 Pre-release 1

OPENSTEP 4.0 Pre-release 1
Version of NeXTSTEP
OPENSTEP-4.0-PR1.png
Version4.0 Pre-release 1
Codename
Preliminary name
Architecturem68k, x86, SPARC, HPPA
Latest build
Release date1995-09
Support end

OPENSTEP 4.0 for Mach Pre-release 1 is a build of OPENSTEP 4.0 from September 1995. The codename for this build is "Mecca". Due to its earliness, there are still many references to NEXTSTEP in places such as the boot screen. Unlike other builds of NEXTSTEP/OPENSTEP, this build utilizes a dock with tabs that sort programs based on their type. The bootloader in this build has also been updated from 3.3.3.8 to 40.8.

The dock has allegedly been dropped due to frustration from users who were used to the original dock as seen in earlier versions of NeXTSTEP. The dock seen in this version was also the precursor for the Dock introduced in Mac OS X Public Beta.

Installation[edit | edit source]

It is recommended to upgrade from NeXTSTEP 3.3 via the Upgrader.app program. When the upgrade plan is prepared, click on "Edit plan", mark and click "Skip" for each driver and continue the upgrade through normal means. Failure to do so will result in the system crashing with a kernel panic on boot.

Bugs and quirks[edit | edit source]

  • During the upgrade, there are many inconsistencies, all of which are otherwise non-fatal.
  • Attempting to open the Info Panel via FileManager's menu does nothing.