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Time for a Tune-Up (12/3/98)
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Well, it's been roughly six weeks since Mac OS 8.5 hit store shelves, accompanied by much fanfare and Apple's claim that "it's like getting a whole new Mac for $99." While that may be just a slight exaggeration, we admit, we really like this version of the Mac OS. Not so much for the ballyhooed Sherlock-- it's nice and all, but nothing to kill for. Not for the native AppleScript, either; it's definitely faster in a noticeable way, but we don't use it so extensively that it's saving us hours of productivity or anything. Not even for the faster networking, which isn't helping squat when we transfer small files between the iMac and the PowerTower, or when either system prints to our LocalTalk printer. Basically, we like the new icons and the soundsets. Was that worth $99? Hey, style is everything, you know? ;-)
However, not everyone is thrilled with Mac OS 8.5. Specifically, that tiny contingent of users who experienced the hard disk equivalent of "Severe Tire Damage" after installing the upgrade are probably still pretty miffed about the whole thing. And there are other problems with the software, including AppleScript memory leaks, I/O bugs that lead to crashes and corruption of Filemaker databases, Sherlock proxy issues that prevent the Internet search feature from working behind certain kinds of corporate firewalls, etc. Sounds like it's time for a tune-up. Fortunately, MacWEEK reports that Apple is "putting the final touches" on Mac OS 8.5.1, a bug-fix release that's due out by the end of the month. When it's released, it'll be available as a free download from Apple's site. Don't want to wait a month? You may not have to; Apple Insider claims their sources say it'll be done within the next ten days.
With a "maintenance" release in mid-to-late December, you can pretty much assume that Mac OS 8.6 won't be coming in January. Not a problem; we're content to spend the holidays with a stabler operating system. Look what Santa left under the tree! Bug fixes! Or maybe they're better suited to be stocking stuffers?
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SceneLink (1192)
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And Now For A Word From Our Sponsors |
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 | | The above scene was taken from the 12/3/98 episode: December 3, 1998: In the race to hit the airwaves with wireless net access for the common man, who will be first-- Palm or Apple? Meanwhile, Apple's little elves are busy putting the green and red bows on Mac OS 8.5.1 in time for the holidays, and "Redmond Justice" reveals that the key to Microsoft's success is simple unchecked paranoia...
Other scenes from that episode: 1191: Pricey Palm, Killer App (12/3/98) So everyone's talking about the Palm VII. In case you've been out of the loop for a couple of days, here's the deal: Palm just announced a new handheld computing device in what used to be known as the "Pilot" line... 1193: Paranoia Paradise (12/3/98) Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that everyone isn't out to get you. That's pretty much Microsoft's whole corporate philosophy, apparently, if the "Redmond Justice" trial is any indication. Over and over again, we've heard Microsoft's attorneys claim that they are the victims in this case: Netscape conspired with the government to destroy Microsoft; Sun conspired with Netscape and IBM to destroy Microsoft; AOL and Netscape are now merging to destroy Microsoft...
Or view the entire episode as originally broadcast... | |  |
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