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{{short description|Seventh release of the classic Mac OS}}
{{short description|Seventh major release of the classic Mac OS (1991)}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
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{{About|the seventh release of the System Software|version 10.7 of macOS (formerly Mac OS X)|Mac OS X Lion}}{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=December 2023}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2023}}
{{Original research|date=December 2023}}
{{Original research|date=December 2023}}
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{{About|the Macintosh operating system.||}}
{{About|the seventh major release of the classic Apple Macintosh operating system||}}
{{Infobox OS|
{{Infobox OS|
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{{classic Mac OS sidebar}}
{{classic Mac OS sidebar}}
'''System 7''', [[codename]]d "Big Bang", and renamed '''Mac OS 7''' since version 7.6, is the main [[operating system]] for [[Mac (computer)|Macintosh]] computers from [[Apple Computer]]. It was launched on May 13, 1991,<ref>{{Cite web |title=System 7.0 - Will it be on apple.com? |url=http://macgui.com/usenet/?group=53&id=83125 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401212219/http://macgui.com/usenet/?group=53&id=83125 |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |access-date=January 6, 2010}}</ref> to succeed [[System 6]]. New features include [[virtual memory]], personal [[file sharing]], [[QuickTime]], [[QuickDraw 3D]], and an improved user interface.
'''System 7''' (later named '''Mac OS 7''') is the seventh major release of the [[classic Mac OS]] [[operating system]] for [[Mac (computer)|Macintosh]] computers, made by [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer]]. It was launched on May 13, 1991, to succeed [[System 6]] with [[virtual memory]], personal [[file sharing]], [[QuickTime]], [[TrueType]] fonts, the [[Force Quit]] dialog, and an improved user interface.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Norton |first1=Peter |title=Inside System 7 |date=1992 |publisher=Brady Publishing |isbn=0-13-656273-6 |pages=215 |edition=1st |url=https://archive.org/details/insidesystem70000nort |access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Danuloff |first1=Craig |title=The System 7 Book |date=April 6, 1991 |publisher=Ventana Press, Inc |isbn=0-940087-58-8 |edition=4th |url=https://archive.org/details/mac_The_System_7_Book_1991 |access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref>


The name "Mac OS" debuted on System 7.5.1's boot screen, and the system was officially renamed since Mac OS 7.6 in 1997. The Mac OS 7 series was current for a total of more than six years, as the longest-lived major version of [[classic Mac OS]].
It was [[codename]]d "Big Bang" in development and the initial release was named "The System" or "System" like all earlier versions. With version 7.5.1, the name "Mac OS" debuted on the boot screen, and the operating system was officially renamed to Mac OS in 1997 with version 7.6. The Mac OS 7 series was current for more than six years, the longest of [[classic Mac OS]].


==Development==
==Development==
[[File:Secret_About_Box_from_System_7.0.png|right|thumb|The Secret About Box debuted as an [[Easter egg (media)|Easter egg]] in System 7.0, with the [[Blue Meanies (Apple Computer)|Blue Meanies]] credits.]]
The development of the Macintosh system software up to [[System 6]] followed a fairly smooth progression with the addition of new features and relatively small changes and upgrades. Major additions were fairly limited. Its official system documentation, ''[[Inside Macintosh]]'', initially shipped in three volumes, adding another to describe the changes introduced with the [[Mac Plus]],<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Macintosh-Volume-Apple-Computer/dp/0201054094 "Inside Macintosh, Volume 4"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305023842/http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Macintosh-Volume-Apple-Computer/dp/0201054094 |date=March 5, 2016 }}, Amazon</ref> and another for the [[Mac II]] and [[Mac SE]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Book Collection |url=http://school.anhb.uwa.edu.au/personalpages/kwessen/web/books/Books.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124070714/http://school.anhb.uwa.edu.au/personalpages/kwessen/web/books/Books.html |archive-date=November 24, 2012 |access-date=December 19, 2012}}</ref>
{{details|Blue Meanies (Apple Computer)|Taligent}}
{{anchor|Pink and Blue}}
By 1988, the Macintosh had been on the market for four years. Some aspects of the operating system were beginning to fall behind those of [[Microsoft Windows]].<ref name="Apple: The Inside Story">{{cite book |title=Apple: The Inside Story of Intrigue, Egomania and Business Blunders |first=Jim |last=Carlton |orig-year=1997 |date=1999 |isbn=978-0099270737 |oclc=925000937 |type=hardback |edition=2nd |publisher=Random House Business Books |location=London | url=https://archive.org/details/appleinsidestory00carl | via=[[Internet Archive]] | access-date=March 3, 2024}}</ref>{{rp|133}} Many of the assumptions of the System software architecture were obsolete – mainly, the single-tasking model, the replacement of which had first been examined in 1986's Switcher and then replaced with [[MultiFinder]] in [[Classic Mac OS#System Software 5|System 5]].


In March 1988,{{efn|name="n1"}}<ref name="Taligent's Guide">{{cite book |title=Taligent's Guide to Designing Programs: Well-Mannered Object-Oriented Design in C++ |series=Taligent Reference Library |first=David |last=Goldsmith |publisher=Addison-Wesley |location=Reading, MA |date=June 1994 |isbn=978-0201408881 |oclc=636884338}}</ref>{{rp|XXIII-XXIV}} shortly before the release of System 6, a group of senior technical staff and managers at Apple held an offsite meeting to plan the future course of Mac OS development.<ref name="Apple: The Inside Story"/>{{rp|96}} Improvements that seemed achievable in the short term were written on blue [[index card]]s, longer-term goals like true multitasking on pink cards, and more ambitious ideas like an [[object-oriented]] [[file system]] on red cards.<ref name="Apple: The Inside Story"/>{{rp|96-98}}<ref name="Singh, pg. 2">Singh, pg. 2</ref> The blue and pink ideas proceeded in parallel teams. The Blue team nicknamed itself [[Blue Meanies (Apple Computer)|Blue Meanies]] after characters in ''[[Yellow Submarine (film)|Yellow Submarine]]'', and released System 7 in 1991.<ref name="bluemeanieseastereggs">{{cite web | url=http://www.mackido.com/EasterEggs/BlueMeanies.html | title=Apple Easter Eggs | publisher=MacKiDo | date=August 26, 1998 | accessdate=March 18, 2024 | first1=David K. | last1=Every | first2=Daniel | last2=Fanton}}</ref><ref name="Apple: The Inside Story"/>{{rp|169}} Pink was spun off into [[Taligent, Inc]] in 1992 within the [[AIM alliance]] with IBM.<ref name="Apple: The Inside Story"/>{{rp|167}}
The original Macintosh system remains largely intact from its 1984 launch into System 7. It has a single user and task based on [[floppy disk]]s and extremely limited [[Random-access memory|RAM]]. However, many of the assumptions of this model were obsolete{{mdash}}mainly, the single-tasking model, the replacement of which had first been examined in 1986's Switcher and then replaced with [[MultiFinder]] in System 5. Running MultiFinder normally requires a larger amount of RAM and a [[hard drive]], but these became more common by the late 1980s.


==Overview==
Additions had been relatively limited, and so had fixes to some of the underlying oddities of the system architecture. The widespread adoption of hard drives and [[local area network]]s led to demand of many new features.
===Changes===

In the theme of Blue, improvements in System 7 are significant but incremental.
===Pink and Blue===
In March 1988,{{efn|name="n1"}}<ref name="Taligent's Guide">{{cite book |title=Taligent's Guide to Designing Programs: Well-Mannered Object-Oriented Design in C++ |series=Taligent Reference Library |first=David |last=Goldsmith |publisher=Addison-Wesley |location=Reading, MA |date=June 1994 |isbn=978-0201408881 |oclc=636884338}}</ref>{{rp|XXIII-XXIV}} shortly before the release of System 6, technical middle managers at Apple held an offsite meeting to plan the future course of Mac OS development.<ref>Carlton, pg. 96</ref> Ideas were written on [[index card]]s; features that seemed simple enough to implement in the short term (like adding color to the [[user interface]]) were written on blue cards, longer-term goals like true multitasking on pink cards, and "far out" ideas like an [[object-oriented]] [[file system]] on red cards.<ref>Carlton, pg. 96-98</ref><ref name="Singh, pg. 2">Singh, pg. 2</ref> Development of the ideas contained on the blue and pink cards was to proceed in parallel, and at first the two projects were known simply as "blue" and "pink".<ref>Carlton, pg. 167</ref> Apple intended to have the "blue" team (which came to call itself the "[[Blue Meanies (Apple Computer)|Blue Meanies]]" after characters in ''[[Yellow Submarine (film)|Yellow Submarine]]'')<ref>Carlton, pg. 169</ref> release an updated version of the existing Macintosh operating system in the 1990–1991 time-frame. By 1992, Pink had become a totally new operating system, and was spun off into a dedicated company, [[Taligent]].

As Blue was aimed at relatively "simple" upgrades, the feature list reads to some degree as a sort of "System 6, corrected". In the underlying OS, several formerly optional components were made mandatory:


* A new Sound Manager [[API]], version 2.0, replaces the older ''[[ad hoc]]'' APIs. The new APIs provide significantly improved [[hardware abstraction]], and higher-quality playback.
* 32-bit [[QuickDraw]], supporting so-called "true color" imaging, is standard; it was previously available as a system extension.
* 32-bit [[QuickDraw]], supporting so-called "true color" imaging, is standard; it was previously available as a system extension.
* System 7 allows a 32-bit program address space, increasing from the previous 24-bit address space, increasing the system memory limit from 8MB to 4GB.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 7, 1989 |title=InfoWorld Aug 7, 1989 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vDAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT69 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602232344/https://books.google.com/books?id=vDAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT69 |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |access-date=May 26, 2015}}</ref>
* A new Sound Manager [[application programming interface|API]], version 2.0, replaces the older ''[[ad hoc]]'' APIs. The new APIs feature significantly improved [[hardware abstraction]], and higher-quality playback. Although technically not a new feature for System 7 (as these features are available for System 6.0.7), Sound Manager 2.0 is the first widespread implementation of this technology to reach most Mac users.<!--technical and clarification-->
* System 7 makes MultiFinder's [[cooperative multitasking]] mandatory.
* System 7 has a full 32-bit address space, from the previous 24-bit address space. This migration path requires all of the routines in OS code to use the full 32&nbsp;bits of a [[pointer (computer programming)|pointer]] as an address—prior systems used the upper bits as [[flag (computing)|flags]]. System 7 is 32-bit clean, requiring a long migration of application.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 7, 1989 |title=InfoWorld Aug 7, 1989 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vDAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT69 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602232344/https://books.google.com/books?id=vDAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT69 |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |access-date=May 26, 2015}}</ref>
* Trash is a normal directory, allowing items to be preserved between reboots and disk eject events instead of being purged.
* System 7 made MultiFinder's [[cooperative multitasking]] mandatory.
* [[Extension (Mac OS)|System extension]]s are relocated to their own subfolder, rather than in the root level of the [[System folder|System Folder]] as in System 6. They can be installed or removed simply by moving these "extensions" to or from the folder and then rebooting the computer.
* Similarly, the [[Control panel (Mac OS)|Control Panel]] [[desk accessory]] becomes the Control Panels folder. The control panels themselves are separate files, stored within this directory.
* Under System 6, the Apple Menu contains both a list of desk accessories and a list of running programs under MultiFinder. In System 7 the list of active programs is relocated to its own Application Menu.
* System 7.1 introduces System Enablers, small extensions that are loaded at startup to support Macintosh models introduced since the last OS revision.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 18, 2012 |title=System 7.1 through Mac OS 7.6: Compatibility With Macintosh Computers |url=https://support.apple.com/kb/TA47341?locale=en_US&viewlocale=en_US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219222009/https://support.apple.com/kb/TA47341?locale=en_US&viewlocale=en_US |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |access-date=February 9, 2022 |website=support.apple.com}}</ref>
*Cannot run on [[Macintosh 512Ke]].


===New features===
Several oddities in the original System, typically included due to limited resources, were finally changed to use basic underlying OS features:
* Personal [[File Sharing]] along with [[user interface]] improvements for [[AppleTalk]], System 7 includes a basic file-sharing server allowing any machine to publish folders to the AppleTalk network.
*Trash is a normal directory, allowing items to be preserved between reboots and disk eject events instead of being purged.
* [[Alias (Mac OS)|Aliases]] – small files that represent another object in the [[file system]]. Similar in concept to [[Unix]] [[symbolic link]]s and [[shortcut (computing)#Microsoft Windows|Windows shortcuts]], an alias in System 7 acts as a redirect to any object in the file system, such as a [[document]], an [[Application software|application]], a [[folder (computing)|folder]], a [[hard disk]], a [[network share]] or removable medium or a [[Printer (computing)|printer]].
*[[Extension (Mac OS)|System extension]]s (small pieces of INIT code that extend the system's functionality) were relocated to their own subfolder (rather than in the root level of the [[System Folder (Mac OS)|System Folder]] as on earlier versions) and they can be installed or removed at the user's will simply by moving these "extensions" to or from the folder and then rebooting the computer. There was an auto-routing feature for extensions, control panels, fonts and Desk Accessories where they could simply be dropped onto the System folder. The system would detect the type and automatically place the moved files in the appropriate subdirectories. On reboot, the System would read the files and install the extensions, without the user having to do anything else. Additionally, all extensions and panels (see below) could be temporarily disabled by holding down the shift key when booting up. Later versions of System 7 offered a feature called "[[Extensions Manager (Mac OS)|Extensions Manager]]", which simplifies toggling individual extensions.
* [[Drag and drop]] – document icons can be dragged with the mouse and "dropped" onto application icons to open in the targeted application. System 7.5's Drag Manager expanded the concept system-wide to include multiple data types such as text or audio data.
*Similarly, the [[Control panel (Mac OS)|Control Panel]] [[desk accessory (Mac OS)|desk accessory]] became the Control Panels folder (found in the System Folder, and accessible to the user from an alias in the Apple menu). The control panels themselves became separate files, stored within this directory. Control panels are essentially system extensions with a user interface.
* ''Stationery'', allowing users to save often-used document styles as a [[template (file format)|template]]. "Stationery-aware" applications create a new, untitled file containing the template data.
*The [[Apple menu]] (previously home only to desk accessories pulled from "DRVR" resources in the [[System file (Mac OS)|System file]]) now listed the contents of a folder ("Apple Menu Items"), including aliases (see below). Desk accessories had originally been intended to provide a form of multitasking and were no longer necessary now that real multitasking was always enabled. The desk-accessory technology was deprecated, with System 7 treating them largely the same as other applications. Desk accessories now ran in their own process rather than borrowing that of a host application.
*[[Balloon Help]], a widget-identification system similar to [[tooltip]]s.
*Under System 6, the Apple Menu contained both a list of desk accessories and a list of running programs under MultiFinder. In System 7 the list of active programs was relocated to its own Application Menu.
* [[AppleScript]], a [[scripting language]] for automating tasks.
* [[AppleEvents]], a new [[interprocess communication]] model for "high-level" events to be sent to applications, including support for AppleEvents over an AppleTalk network.
* [[Publish and Subscribe (Mac OS)|Publish and Subscribe]] permits data "published" by one application to be imported by another.
* [[TrueType]] outline fonts, replacing bitmapped fonts and outline [[PostScript]] printer fonts. TrueType for the first time offers a single font format that scales to any size on screen and on paper.
* A newly colorized [[user interface]], for machines that support color.


===Installation===
The system has a wide variety of new features:
System 7 is the first Apple operating system published on [[compact disc]], after initial publication on a set of 15 floppy disks. Unlike earlier systems, System 7 did not come bundled with major software packages. Newly purchased [[Mac (computer)|Macintosh]] computers had System 7 installed and were often bundled with software such as [[HyperCard]], [[At Ease]] and ''[[Mouse Practice]]''. Later, the [[Macintosh Performa]] family added various [[software bundles]] including [[ClarisWorks]], [[The New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia]], [[Microsoft Bookshelf]], ''[[Spectre VR]]'' and ''[[Power Pete]]''. Since System 7 was introduced before the Internet came to popular attention, software such as [[MacTCP]], [[FreePPP]], and [[Netscape]] were not included at first, but was later available on disk from [[Internet service provider]]s and bundled with books such as [[Adam C. Engst]]'s [https://books.google.com/books?id=5SlNQrQdO0EC Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh]. [[Power Macintosh]] machines also included [[NuCalc]], a graphing calculator. System 7 also includes [[AppleTalk]] networking and file-sharing software in the form of system extensions and control panels.
<!--clarified "special status"-->
*Personal [[File Sharing]]. Along with various [[user interface|UI]] improvements for [[AppleTalk]] setup, System 7 also included a basic file sharing server allowing any machine to publish folders to the AppleTalk network.
*Aliases. An [[Alias (Mac OS)|alias]] is a small file that represents another object in the [[file system]]. A typical alias is small, between 1 and 5&nbsp;KB. Similar in concept to [[Unix]] [[symbolic links]] and [[file shortcut|Windows shortcuts]], an alias acts as a [[redirection (computing)|redirect]] to any object in the file system, such as a [[document]], an [[Application software|application]], a [[folder (computing)|folder]], a [[hard disk]], a [[network share]] or removable medium or a [[computer printer|printer]]. When [[double-click]]ed, the computer will act the same way as if the original file had been double-clicked. Likewise, choosing an alias file from within an "Open" [[dialog box]] would open the original file. (Unlike the path-based approach of shortcuts and symbolic links, aliases also store a reference to the file's catalog entry, so they continue to work even if the file is moved or renamed. Aliases have features of both [[hard link]]s and [[symbolic link]]s found on [[Unix]]-based systems. All three are supported on [[macOS]].)
*Drag and drop. Document icons could be dragged with the mouse and "dropped" onto application icons to open in the targeted application. Under System 6, one either double-clicked on a document icon to open its associated application, or one could open the desired application and use its Open [[dialog box]]. The development of the drag-and-drop paradigm led to a new concept for some applications—such as [[StuffIt Expander]]—whose main interactions were intended to be via drag and drop. System 7.5's Drag Manager expanded the concept system-wide to include multiple data types such as text or audio data.
*"Stationery", a [[template (file format)|template]] feature that allowed users to save often-used document styles in special format. "Stationery-aware" applications would create a new, untitled file containing the template data, while non-aware applications would immediately show a [[Save As]] [[dialog box]] asking the user for the file's name.
*[[Balloon Help]], a widget-identification system similar to [[tooltips]].
*[[AppleScript]], a [[scripting language]] for automating tasks. While fairly complex for application programmers to implement support for, this feature was powerful and popular with users, and it remains supported as part of [[macOS]].
*[[AppleEvents]]. Supporting AppleScript was a new [[interprocess communication]] model for "high-level" events to be sent into applications, along with support to allow this to take place over an [[AppleTalk]] network.
*[[Publish and Subscribe (Mac OS)|Publish and Subscribe]]. This feature permitted [[data]] "published" by one application to be imported ("subscribed to") by another, and the data could be updated dynamically. Programmers complained that the [[Application programming interface|API]] was unwieldy, and relatively few applications ended up adopting it.
*[[TrueType]] outline fonts. Up to this point, all fonts on the Macintosh were bitmapped, or a set of bitmapped screen fonts paired with outline [[PostScript]] printer fonts; TrueType for the first time offered a single font format that scaled to any size on screen and on paper. This technology was recognized as being so important that a TrueType extension for System 6 was also released, along with an updated [[Font/DA Mover]] capable of installing these new kinds of fonts into the System 6 System file.
*A newly colorized [[user interface]]. Although this feature made for a visually appealing interface, it was optional. On machines not capable of displaying color, or those with their display preferences set to monochrome, the interface defaulted back to the black-and-white look of previous versions. Only some widgets were colorized—scrollbars, for instance, had a new look, but buttons remained in black and white.
*System 7.1 marked the advent of System Enablers, small extensions that were loaded at startup to support Macintosh models introduced since the last OS revision. With System 6, Apple had to introduce several minor revisions solely for use with new hardware. Apple introduced an unprecedented number of new Macintosh models during the System 7 era, leading to some confusion over which System Enabler went with which computers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 18, 2012 |title=System 7.1 through Mac OS 7.6: Compatibility With Macintosh Computers |url=https://support.apple.com/kb/TA47341?locale=en_US&viewlocale=en_US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219222009/https://support.apple.com/kb/TA47341?locale=en_US&viewlocale=en_US |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |access-date=February 9, 2022 |website=support.apple.com}}</ref>

==Software==
System 7 is the first Apple operating system published on [[compact disc]], after initial publication on a set of 15 floppy disks. Unlike earlier systems, System 7 did not come bundled with major software packages. Newly purchased [[Mac (computer)|Macintosh]] computers had System 7 installed and were often bundled with software such as [[HyperCard]], [[At Ease]] and [[Mouse Practice]]. Later, the [[Macintosh Performa]] family added various [[software bundles]] including [[ClarisWorks]], [[The New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia]], [[Microsoft Bookshelf]], [[Spectre VR]] and [[Power Pete]]. Since System 7 was introduced before the Internet came to popular attention, software such as [[MacTCP]], [[FreePPP]] and [[Netscape]] were not included at first, but was later available on disk from [[Internet service provider]]s and bundled with books such as [[Adam C. Engst]]'s [https://books.google.com/books?id=5SlNQrQdO0EC Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh]. [[Power Macintosh]] machines also included [[NuCalc]], a graphing calculator. System 7 also includes [[AppleTalk]] networking and file sharing software in the form of system extensions and control panels.


The basic utilities installed by default with System 7 include [[TeachText]] (which was replaced by [[SimpleText]] in later versions) for basic text editing tasks and reading [[README|readme]] documents. Also available on the additional "Disk Tools" [[floppy disk]] are [[Disk First Aid]] for disk repair and [[Apple HD SC Setup]] for initializing and partitioning disks.
The basic utilities installed by default with System 7 include [[TeachText]] (which was replaced by [[SimpleText]] in later versions) for basic text editing tasks and reading [[README|readme]] documents. Also available on the additional "Disk Tools" [[floppy disk]] are [[Disk First Aid]] for disk repair and [[Apple HD SC Setup]] for initializing and partitioning disks.


Later versions of System 7, specifically System 7.5 and Mac OS 7.6, come with dedicated "Utilities" and "Apple Extras" folders including: [[AppleScript]], [[Apple Disk Copy|Disk Copy]], [[QuickDraw GX]] Extras and [[QuickTime]] Movie Player. More optional extras and utilities could be manually installed from the System CD.
Later versions of System 7, specifically System 7.5 and Mac OS 7.6, come with dedicated "Utilities" and "Apple Extras" folders including: [[AppleScript]], [[Apple Disk Copy|Disk Copy]], [[QuickDraw GX]] Extras and [[QuickTime]] Movie Player. More optional extras and utilities can be manually installed from the System CD.


==Transition to PowerPC==
===Transition to PowerPC===
System 7.1.2 is the first version of the Macintosh System Software to support Apple's new [[PowerPC]]-based computers. 68k applications that had not yet been updated to run natively on these systems were [[Emulator|emulated]] transparently (without the user having to intervene) by a built-in [[Mac 68k emulator|68k processor emulator]]. [[Fat binary|Fat binaries]], which contained the code necessary to run natively on both PowerPC and 68k systems, became common during this time. This process was similar to the distribution of [[Universal binary|universal binaries]] during the [[Mac transition to Intel processors]] in 2006, as well as the [[Mac transition to Apple silicon]] beginning in 2020.
System 7.1.2 is the first version of the Macintosh System Software to support Apple's new [[PowerPC]]-based computers. 68k applications that had not yet been updated to run natively on these systems were [[Emulator|emulated]] transparently (without the user having to intervene) by a built-in [[Mac 68k emulator|68k processor emulator]]. [[Fat binary|Fat binaries]], which contained the code necessary to run natively on both PowerPC and 68k systems, became common during this time. This process was similar to the distribution of [[Universal binary|universal binaries]] during the [[Mac transition to Intel processors]] in 2006, as well as the [[Mac transition to Apple silicon]] beginning in 2020.


System 7.1.2 is the only release of the Macintosh operating system that boots stating "Welcome to Power Macintosh." Release 7.1.2P reverts this.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 14, 1994 |title=InfoWorld |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BjsEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22welcome+to+power+macintosh%22&pg=PA98 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915131107/https://books.google.com/books?id=BjsEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22welcome+to+power+macintosh%22&pg=PA98 |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=January 26, 2022}}</ref>
System 7.1.2 is the only release of the Macintosh operating system that boots stating "Welcome to Power Macintosh." Release 7.1.2P reverts this.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 14, 1994 |title=InfoWorld |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BjsEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22welcome+to+power+macintosh%22&pg=PA98 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915131107/https://books.google.com/books?id=BjsEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22welcome+to+power+macintosh%22&pg=PA98 |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=January 26, 2022}}</ref>


==PC compatibility==
===PC compatibility===
System 7.0 and 7.1 has a utility called [[Apple File Exchange]], which accesses the contents of [[File Allocation Table|FAT]]- and [[Apple II series|Apple II]]-formatted floppy disks. System 7 Pro, System 7.5 and up shipped with [[PC Exchange]], previously a separate product, which allow the system to mount FAT-formatted [[floppy disk]]s on the desktop in the same manner as Macintosh disks.
System 7.0 and 7.1 have a utility called [[Apple File Exchange]], which accesses the contents of [[File Allocation Table|FAT]]- and [[Apple II series|Apple II]]-formatted floppy disks. Since System 7 Pro, [[PC Exchange]] is included, which allows the system to mount FAT-formatted [[floppy disk]]s on the desktop like Macintosh disks. [[OS/2]] disks can use the FAT file system. Macs can read and write UNIX file systems using extra software. System 7 accesses PC networks and uses TCP/IP and other compatible networking stacks.

[[OS/2]] disks are read as PC&nbsp;DOS disks, due to fact that OS/2 used the FAT file system. At this time, Macs could also read and write UNIX file systems using extra software.

System 7 allows users to access PC networks and allowed communication via TCP/IP and other compatible networking stacks. Actual PC software compatibility, however, required third-party software such as SoftPC, which allowed some MS-DOS and early Microsoft Windows programs to run, or Connectix [[Virtual PC]], which allowed the Mac to run Windows via full PC emulation.


===Miscellaneous===
Other PC compatibility solutions took a more native approach by running Windows and MS-DOS by using x86 expansion cards with an x86 chip on the card. Apple offered some systems configured this way, marketed as "DOS Compatible"—a card with dedicated x86 CPU and RAM was used, while the Mac hard drive, sound subsystem, networking and input provided services to the PC. The PC could run simultaneously with the Mac, and the user could switch between the two in a fashion similar to a [[KVM switch]]. The earliest of these systems were 680x0 based systems running System 7. System 7 provided the support for accessing the PC volume from the Mac through its own PC Exchange software, and actual control of the PC hardware was accomplished by way of control panels.
System 7 has a larger memory footprint than System 6. System 6 can boot the system from a single 800k [[floppy disk]] and uses about {{nowrap|600 [[kilobyte|KB]]}} of [[Random-access memory|RAM]], whereas System 7 uses well over one [[megabyte]]. It was some time before the average Mac shipped with enough RAM built-in for System 7 to be truly comfortable. System 7 is the first system release that can no longer be usefully run on floppy-only systems. Although most Macintosh models sold at the time included a hard disk as standard equipment, owners of older models were required to upgrade their hardware by buying either a new Mac or an external [[SCSI]] hard disk drive if they wished to run System 7.


Its official system documentation, ''[[Inside Macintosh]]'', initially shipped in three volumes, adding another to describe the changes introduced with the [[Mac Plus]],<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Macintosh-Volume-Apple-Computer/dp/0201054094 "Inside Macintosh, Volume 4"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305023842/http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Macintosh-Volume-Apple-Computer/dp/0201054094 |date=March 5, 2016 }}, Amazon</ref> and another for the [[Mac II]] and [[Mac SE]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Book Collection |url=http://school.anhb.uwa.edu.au/personalpages/kwessen/web/books/Books.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124070714/http://school.anhb.uwa.edu.au/personalpages/kwessen/web/books/Books.html |archive-date=November 24, 2012 |access-date=December 19, 2012}}</ref>
==Miscellaneous==
System 7 has a larger memory footprint than System 6. System 6 could boot the system from a single 800k [[floppy disk]] and took up about {{nowrap|600 [[kilobyte|KB]]}} of [[Random-access memory|RAM]], whereas System 7 uses well over a [[megabyte]]. It was some time before the average Mac shipped with enough RAM built in for System 7 to be truly comfortable. System 7 is the first system release that can no longer be usefully run on floppy-only systems. Although most Macintosh models sold at the time included a hard disk as standard equipment, owners of older models were required to upgrade their hardware by buying either a new Mac or an external [[SCSI]] hard disk drive if they wished to run System 7.


In order to take advantage of System 7's virtual memory feature, a Macintosh equipped with a paged [[memory management unit]] (PMMU) is required. The Motorola 68030 CPU has one built-in, and one can be added to the motherboard of the Motorola 68020-equipped [[Macintosh II]]. The other Macintosh model using an 68020, the [[Macintosh LC]], cannot use virtual memory. Apple introduced the 68030-equipped [[Macintosh LC II]] shortly after System 7's introduction. Despite the newer processor, the LCII retained the earlier model's 16-bit bus and did not perform any faster than the LC it replaced.
System 7's virtual memory requires a Macintosh with a paged [[memory management unit]] (PMMU). The Motorola 68030 CPU has one, or one can be added to a 68020-equipped [[Macintosh II]].


System 7.0 was adopted quite rapidly by Mac users, and quickly became one of the base requirements for new software.
System 7.0 was adopted quite rapidly by Mac users and quickly became one of the base requirements for new software.


The engineering group within Apple responsible for System 7 came to be known as the "[[Blue Meanies (Apple Computer)|Blue Meanies]]", named after the blue [[index card]]s on which were written the features that could be implemented in a relatively short time as part of Apple's operating system strategy. In comparison, the pink index card features were handled by the Pink group, later becoming the ill-fated [[Taligent]] project.
The engineering group within Apple responsible for System 7 came to be known as the "[[Blue Meanies (Apple Computer)|Blue Meanies]]", named after the blue [[index card]]s on which were written the features that could be implemented in a relatively short time as part of Apple's operating system strategy. In comparison, the pink index card features were handled by the Pink group, later becoming the ill-fated [[Taligent]] project.<ref name="bluemeanieseastereggs">{{cite web | url=http://www.mackido.com/EasterEggs/BlueMeanies.html | title=Apple Easter Eggs | publisher=MacKiDo | date=August 26, 1998 | accessdate=March 18, 2024 | first1=David K. | last1=Every | first2=Daniel | last2=Fanton}}</ref>


System 7.0 was the last version of the Macintosh operating system that was available at no charge and could be freely redistributed. Although System 7 could be purchased from Apple, the cost was nominal and considered to only cover duplication and media. It was common for Macintosh dealers to allow customers to use the store's demo machines to copy System 7 install disks for the cost of a box of floppies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Re: System 7.0 - Will it be on apple.com? |url=http://macgui.com/usenet/?group=53&id=83199#msg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525064529/http://macgui.com/usenet/?group=53&id=83199#msg |archive-date=May 25, 2013 |access-date=April 8, 2013}}</ref> CD-ROM magazines such as ''Nautilus'' included System 7 on their disks. After Mac users downloaded thousands of copies of System 7 from the online services (AOL, CompuServe and GEnie), Apple surveyed the services and based on this popularity started selling the Mac OS as a retail product with System 7.1. Apple continued charging for major operating system upgrades until the release of [[OS X Mavericks]] in 2013.
System 7.0 is the last version of the Macintosh operating system that was available at no charge and could be freely redistributed. Although System 7 could be purchased from Apple, the cost was nominal and considered to only cover duplication and media. It was common for Macintosh dealers to allow customers to use the store's demo machines to copy System 7 install disks for the cost of a box of floppies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Re: System 7.0 - Will it be on apple.com? |url=http://macgui.com/usenet/?group=53&id=83199#msg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525064529/http://macgui.com/usenet/?group=53&id=83199#msg |archive-date=May 25, 2013 |access-date=April 8, 2013}}</ref> CD-ROM magazines such as ''Nautilus'' included System 7 on their disks. After Mac users downloaded thousands of copies of System 7 from the online services (AOL, CompuServe, and GEnie), Apple surveyed the services and based on this popularity started selling the Mac OS as a retail product with System 7.1. Apple continued charging for major operating system upgrades until the release of [[OS X Mavericks]] in 2013.


==Version history==
==Version history==
Soon after the initial release of System 7, the 7.0.1 minor update was released in October 1991, which updated the Portable and Brightness control panels, added the Caps Lock extension, which showed an up-pointing arrow onscreen if the Caps Lock key was depressed on PowerBooks, and added the Cache Switch control panel in additional to RAM disk and sound management optimizations for [[Motorola 68040|68040]] systems. Three small patches called "System 7 Tune-Up" also followed, which initially added an extension "System 7 Tuner" that improves memory management by quitting unused items, like apps and [[AppleTalk]], and added "minimum" and "preferred" memory allotments to an application's Get Info box in its 1.0 version.<ref>{{Cite web |title=System 7 Tune-Up - TidBITS |url=https://tidbits.com/1992/01/13/system-7-tune-up/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515235643/https://tidbits.com/1992/01/13/system-7-tune-up/ |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |access-date=May 15, 2022}}</ref> This would be followed by version 1.1, which updated the "System 7 Tuner" extension to 1.1, included [[LaserWriter]] driver version 7.1.1 and added a hidden extension called "Tuna Helper", intended to fix the "disappearing files" bug in which the system would lose files.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tune-Up 1.1, Just Get It - TidBITS |url=https://tidbits.com/1992/04/06/tune-up-1-1-just-get-it/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515235641/https://tidbits.com/1992/04/06/tune-up-1-1-just-get-it/ |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |access-date=May 15, 2022}}</ref> The final release, 1.1.1, would include everything 1.1 included but also add the [[StyleWriter]] 7.2.2 printer drivers, [[Chooser (Mac OS)|Chooser]] 7.1 and a minor update to Tuna Helper.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tune-Up Notes - TidBITS |url=https://tidbits.com/1992/04/20/tune-up-notes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515235641/https://tidbits.com/1992/04/20/tune-up-notes/ |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |access-date=May 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=System 7.1 update guide |url=https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1470/en_US/0302799Sys71UpdateGuide.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018072032/https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1470/en_US/0302799Sys71UpdateGuide.pdf |archive-date=October 18, 2017}}</ref>
Soon after the initial release of System 7, the 7.0.1 minor update was released in October 1991, which updated the Portable and Brightness control panels, added the Caps Lock extension, which showed an up-pointing arrow onscreen if the Caps Lock key was depressed on PowerBooks, and added the Cache Switch control panel in additional to RAM disk and sound management optimizations for [[Motorola 68040|68040]] systems. Three small patches called "System 7 Tune-Up" also followed, which initially added an extension "System 7 Tuner" that improves memory management by quitting unused items, like apps and [[AppleTalk]], and added "minimum" and "preferred" memory allotments to an application's Get Info box in its 1.0 version.<ref>{{Cite web |title=System 7 Tune-Up - TidBITS |date=January 13, 1992 |url=https://tidbits.com/1992/01/13/system-7-tune-up/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515235643/https://tidbits.com/1992/01/13/system-7-tune-up/ |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |access-date=May 15, 2022}}</ref> This would be followed by version 1.1, which updated the "System 7 Tuner" extension to 1.1, included [[LaserWriter]] driver version 7.1.1 and added a hidden extension called "Tuna Helper", intended to fix the "disappearing files" bug in which the system would lose files.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tune-Up 1.1, Just Get It - TidBITS |date=April 6, 1992 |url=https://tidbits.com/1992/04/06/tune-up-1-1-just-get-it/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515235641/https://tidbits.com/1992/04/06/tune-up-1-1-just-get-it/ |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |access-date=May 15, 2022}}</ref> The final release, 1.1.1, included everything 1.1 included but also added the [[StyleWriter]] 7.2.2 printer drivers, [[Chooser (Mac OS)|Chooser]] 7.1 and a minor update to Tuna Helper.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tune-Up Notes - TidBITS |date=April 20, 1992 |url=https://tidbits.com/1992/04/20/tune-up-notes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515235641/https://tidbits.com/1992/04/20/tune-up-notes/ |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |access-date=May 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=System 7.1 update guide |url=https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1470/en_US/0302799Sys71UpdateGuide.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018072032/https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1470/en_US/0302799Sys71UpdateGuide.pdf |archive-date=October 18, 2017}}</ref>


=== System 7.1 ===
===System 7.1===
In August 1992, the 7.1 update was released. This is the first version of the system software that Apple charged money for. Of this change, [[David Pogue]] wrote:<ref name="system-software-museum">{{Cite book |last=Pogue |first=David |author-link=David Pogue |url=http://www.toddp.com/classic/Software%20Install/Apple%20Support%20Documents/Macintosh%20Secrets/Mac%20Secrets%204th%20ed./ch06.pdf |title=MacWorld Macintosh Secrets 4th edition - Chapter 6: The System Software Museum |date=January 1997 |access-date=October 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017214028/http://www.toddp.com/classic/Software%20Install/Apple%20Support%20Documents/Macintosh%20Secrets/Mac%20Secrets%204th%20ed./ch06.pdf |archive-date=October 17, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|225}}
In August 1992, the 7.1 update was released. This is the first version of the system software that Apple charged money for. Of this change, [[David Pogue]] wrote:<ref name="system-software-museum">{{Cite book |last=Pogue |first=David |author-link=David Pogue |url=http://www.toddp.com/classic/Software%20Install/Apple%20Support%20Documents/Macintosh%20Secrets/Mac%20Secrets%204th%20ed./ch06.pdf |title=MacWorld Macintosh Secrets 4th edition - Chapter 6: The System Software Museum |date=January 1997 |access-date=October 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017214028/http://www.toddp.com/classic/Software%20Install/Apple%20Support%20Documents/Macintosh%20Secrets/Mac%20Secrets%204th%20ed./ch06.pdf |archive-date=October 17, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|225}}


{{blockquote|text=System 7.1 was remarkable for another reason, too: It was the first system software update Apple didn't give away. You had to buy it, much to the fury of user groups and online services that had gotten used to making each new system release available to everybody. Backing down in the face of the protests, Apple eventually offered the System 7.1 upgrade kit to user-group and online service members for less than $30. But the writing was on the wall: Apple was jealous of Microsoft, system-software superstore to the world. Many wondered if the upgrade was even worth it. System 7.1 incorporated a huge number of changes, but the vast majority were deep-seated, core-level rewrites that added no usefulness to standard American Mac users.|author=David Pogue|title=''MacWorld'' ''Macintosh Secrets'', 4th edition}}
{{blockquote|text=System 7.1 was remarkable for another reason, too: It was the first system software update Apple didn't give away. You had to buy it, much to the fury of user groups and online services that had gotten used to making each new system release available to everybody. Backing down in the face of the protests, Apple eventually offered the System 7.1 upgrade kit to user-group and online service members for less than $30. But the writing was on the wall: Apple was jealous of Microsoft, a system-software superstore to the world. Many wondered if the upgrade was even worth it. System 7.1 incorporated a huge number of changes, but the vast majority were deep-seated, core-level rewrites that added no usefulness to standard American Mac users.|author=David Pogue|title=''MacWorld'' ''Macintosh Secrets'', 4th edition}}


New to 7.1 is the Fonts folder.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Howard Bear |first=Jacci |date=November 19, 2018 |title=Here's How to Find Font Files on Macs or in Windows |url=https://www.lifewire.com/locate-font-files-1074150 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425201608/https://www.lifewire.com/locate-font-files-1074150 |archive-date=April 25, 2019 |access-date=April 25, 2019 |website=Lifewire |language=en |quote=The default location for all System fonts in System 7.1 and later is the Fonts folder inside the System folder.}}</ref> This replaced the often time-consuming method of dragging fonts to and from the System file, introduced in System 7.0; it also replaced the [[Font/DA Mover]] application from System 6, which could also be used with 7.0. System 7.1 also included a lot of internal changes to support internationalization of dates, time, and numbers. It was also the first version to support "Enablers", which removed the requirement to release a new version of the system software every time new hardware was released.
New to 7.1 is the Fonts folder.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Howard Bear |first=Jacci |date=November 19, 2018 |title=Here's How to Find Font Files on Macs or in Windows |url=https://www.lifewire.com/locate-font-files-1074150 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425201608/https://www.lifewire.com/locate-font-files-1074150 |archive-date=April 25, 2019 |access-date=April 25, 2019 |website=Lifewire |language=en |quote=The default location for all System fonts in System 7.1 and later is the Fonts folder inside the System folder.}}</ref> This replaced the often time-consuming method of dragging fonts to and from the System file, introduced in System 7.0; it also replaced the [[Font/DA Mover]] application from System 6, which could also be used with 7.0. System 7.1 also included a lot of internal changes to support internationalization of dates, time, and numbers. It was also the first version to support "Enablers", which removed the requirement to release a new version of the system software every time new hardware was released.
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System 7.1.2 was never offered for retail sale; it shipped with the first batches of the PowerPC Macs and a 68k version shipped with a small number of Quadra 600 series systems. Later shipments shipped with System 7.5 instead.
System 7.1.2 was never offered for retail sale; it shipped with the first batches of the PowerPC Macs and a 68k version shipped with a small number of Quadra 600 series systems. Later shipments shipped with System 7.5 instead.


System 7.1.2P was the same as 7.1.2, and shipped with the [[Macintosh Quadra 630|Performa 630, LC 630 and Quadra 630]] models that were released between July and November 1994.
System 7.1.2P was the same as 7.1.2 and shipped with the [[Macintosh Quadra 630|Performa 630, LC 630 and Quadra 630]] models that were released between July and November 1994.


=== System 7.5 ===
===System 7.5===
On September 12, 1994, '''System 7.5''' was released with bug fixes from previous updates and several new features:
On September 12, 1994, '''System 7.5''' was released with bug fixes from previous updates and several new features:


*An updated startup screen with a progress bar
*An updated startup screen with a progress bar
*A new interactive help system called [[Apple Guide]]
*A new interactive help system called [[Apple Guide]]
*A clock in the menu bar (based on the free SuperClock control panel)
*A clock in the menu bar (from the third-party freeware control panel SuperClock!)
*An Apple menu item called [[Stickies (software)|Stickies]] (formerly a third-party application called "PasteIt Notes"), which provided virtual [[Post-It Note]]s
*An Apple menu item called [[Stickies (software)|Stickies]] (formerly a third-party application called "PasteIt Notes"), which provided virtual [[Post-It Note]]s
*[[WindowShade]], another former shareware control panel, provided the ability to condense a window down to its title bar. Introduced as a "minimize" feature to compete with Windows 95 as Mac OS had no taskbar or dock.
*[[WindowShade]], another former third-party shareware control panel, provided the ability to condense a window down to its title bar. Introduced as a "minimize" feature to compete with Windows 95 as Mac OS had no taskbar or dock.
*[[MacTCP]] was bundled, enabling any Macintosh to connect to the [[Internet]] out of the box for the first time.
*[[MacTCP]] was bundled, enabling any Macintosh to connect to the [[Internet]] out of the box for the first time.
*The Control Strip (a fast way to change the system volume, control the playback of audio CDs, manage file sharing and printers and change the monitor resolution and color depth) was enabled on desktop Macintosh models for the first time. It had previously only been included with the PowerBook series.
*The [[Control Strip]] (a fast way to change the system volume, control the playback of audio CDs, manage file sharing and printers, and change the monitor resolution and color depth) was enabled on desktop Macintosh models for the first time. It had previously only been included with the PowerBook series.
*A new Desktop Patterns control panel allowed for tiled patterns up to 128x128 pixels with 8-bit color; previous versions were limited to 8x8 pixel tiles with a maximum of eight possible colors. Similar functionality was found on earlier system versions exclusive to Performa models and was housed in the General Controls panel.
*A new Desktop Patterns control panel allowed for tiled patterns up to 128x128 pixels with 8-bit color; previous versions were limited to 8x8 pixel tiles with a maximum of eight possible colors. Similar functionality was found on earlier system versions exclusive to Performa models and was housed in the General Controls panel.
*The Extensions Manager (enabling the user to turn extensions and control panels on and off; also based on a formerly third-party control panel)
*The Extensions Manager (enabling the user to turn extensions and control panels on and off; also based on a formerly third-party control panel)
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*Support for [[OpenDoc]]
*Support for [[OpenDoc]]


System 7.5 is codenamed "Capone", a reference to [[Al Capone]] and "Chicago", which is the codename for Microsoft's [[Windows 95]], and is also the name of the default system font in Mac OS until version 8.<ref name="Apple Confidential">{{cite book |last=Linzmayer |first=Owen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mXnw5tM8QRwC |title=Apple Confidential 2.0: The Definitive History of the World's Most Colorful Company |publisher=No Starch Press |date=2004 |isbn=1-59327-010-0}}</ref>{{rp|56}}
System 7.5 is codenamed "Capone", a reference to [[Al Capone]] and "Chicago", which is the codename for Microsoft's [[Windows 95]] and is also the name of the default system font in Mac OS until version 8.<ref name="Apple Confidential">{{cite book |last=Linzmayer |first=Owen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mXnw5tM8QRwC |title=Apple Confidential 2.0: The Definitive History of the World's Most Colorful Company |publisher=No Starch Press |date=2004 |isbn=1-59327-010-0}}</ref>{{rp|56}}


System 7.5.1 is primarily a bug fix of 7.5, but also introduced a new "Mac OS" startup screen in preparation for [[Macintosh clone|Mac clones]].
System 7.5.1 is primarily a bug fix of 7.5 but also introduced a new "Mac OS" startup screen in preparation for [[Macintosh clone|Mac clones]].


System 7.5.2, released only for the first [[Peripheral Component Interconnect|PCI]]-based Power Macs, introduced Apple's new networking architecture, [[Open Transport]].
System 7.5.2, released only for the first [[Peripheral Component Interconnect|PCI]]-based Power Macs, introduced Apple's new networking architecture, [[Open Transport]].
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System 7.5.3 is a major bug-fix update that also includes [[Open Transport]] for other PowerPC-based machines and some 68k-based machines. 7.5.3 improves the 68k emulator, and adds translucent dragging to the Drag Manager. It includes the first version of [[Control Strip]] to be compatible with all Macs. This is the first version of Mac OS to support [[Symmetric multiprocessing|SMP]] (9500/MP).
System 7.5.3 is a major bug-fix update that also includes [[Open Transport]] for other PowerPC-based machines and some 68k-based machines. 7.5.3 improves the 68k emulator, and adds translucent dragging to the Drag Manager. It includes the first version of [[Control Strip]] to be compatible with all Macs. This is the first version of Mac OS to support [[Symmetric multiprocessing|SMP]] (9500/MP).


System 7.5.3 Revision 2 includes: performance enhancements; better reliability for PowerBooks using the third-party RAM Doubler program; improved reliability for PowerBook 500, 2300, and 5300 series computers with the PowerPC Upgrade Card; improved reliability when using the Startup Disk control panel; and improved reliability when copying files to 1&nbsp;GB hard disks.
System 7.5.3 Revision 2 includes performance enhancements; better reliability for PowerBooks using the third-party RAM Doubler program; improved reliability for PowerBook 500, 2300, and 5300 series computers with the PowerPC Upgrade Card; improved reliability when using the Startup Disk control panel; and improved reliability when copying files to 1&nbsp;GB hard disks.


System 7.5.3 Revision 2.1 was shipped with the Performa 6400/180 and 6400/200; this particular release is specific to these machines as there were stability problems with System 7.5.3 Release 2 on the new hardware, especially with the video card and transferring files over LocalTalk.<ref name="system-software-museum" />{{rp|page=235}}
System 7.5.3 Revision 2.1 was shipped with the Performa 6400/180 and 6400/200; this particular release is specific to these machines as there were stability problems with System 7.5.3 Release 2 on the new hardware, especially with the video card and transferring files over LocalTalk.<ref name="system-software-museum" />{{rp|page=235}}
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===Mac OS 7.6===
===Mac OS 7.6===
Mac OS 7.6 (codenamed "Harmony") was the last major update, released in 1997. With 7.6, the operating system was officially called "Mac OS" instead of "System". New features include a revamped Extensions Manager, more native PowerPC code for Power Macs, more bundled Internet tools and utilities, and a more stable Finder with increased memory allocation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mac OS 7.6, Will it be worth it? |url=http://www.themacintoshguy.com/mactips/archive/tip13.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222120836/http://themacintoshguy.com/MacTips/archive/tip13.shtml |archive-date=December 22, 2010 |access-date=July 27, 2011}}</ref> In this version, the PowerTalk feature added in 7.5 was removed due to poor application support, and support for a large number of older Macintosh models was dropped.
Mac OS 7.6 (codenamed "Harmony") was the last major update, released in 1997. With 7.6, the operating system was officially called "Mac OS" instead of "System". New features include a revamped Extensions Manager, more native PowerPC code for Power Macs, more bundled Internet tools and utilities, and a more stable Finder with increased memory allocation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mac OS 7.6, Will it be worth it? |url=http://www.themacintoshguy.com/mactips/archive/tip13.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222120836/http://themacintoshguy.com/MacTips/archive/tip13.shtml |archive-date=December 22, 2010 |access-date=July 27, 2011}}</ref> In this version, the PowerTalk feature added in 7.5 was removed due to poor application support, and support for a large number of older Macintosh models was dropped, including those with a Motorola 68000 or 68020.


The minor update to '''Mac OS 7.6.1''' finally ported the 68k exception handling routines to PowerPC, turning type 11 errors into less harmful errors (type 1, 2 or 3, usually) as crashing applications would more often terminate safely instead of crashing the operating system.<ref>technote 1096</ref>
The minor update to '''Mac OS 7.6.1''' finally ported the 68k exception handling routines to PowerPC, turning type 11 errors into less harmful errors (type 1, 2, or 3, usually) as crashing applications would more often terminate safely instead of crashing the operating system.<ref>technote 1096</ref>


Through this period, Apple had been attempting to release a completely new "modern" operating system, named [[Copland (operating system)|Copland]]. When the Copland project was abandoned in 1996, Apple announced plans to release an OS update every six months until [[Rhapsody (operating system)|Rhapsody]] (which would by 2001 evolve into what was released as [[macOS|Mac OS X]]) shipped.<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube - Macworld Boston 1997 | website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEHNrqPkefI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124213936/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEHNrqPkefI |archive-date=November 24, 2016 |access-date=November 28, 2016}}</ref> Two more releases were shipped, now officially branded as Mac OS: Mac OS 7.6 and the minor bug fix 7.6.1. Future versions were released as [[Mac OS 8|Mac OS 8–8.6]] and [[Mac OS 9|Mac OS 9–9.2]].
Through this period, Apple had been attempting to release a completely new "modern" operating system, named [[Copland (operating system)|Copland]]. When the Copland project was abandoned in 1996, Apple announced plans to release an OS update every six months until [[Rhapsody (operating system)|Rhapsody]] (which would by 2001 evolve into what was released as [[macOS|Mac OS X]]) shipped.<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube - Macworld Boston 1997 | website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEHNrqPkefI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124213936/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEHNrqPkefI |archive-date=November 24, 2016 |access-date=November 28, 2016}}</ref> Two more releases were shipped, now officially branded as Mac OS: Mac OS 7.6 and the minor bug fix 7.6.1. Future versions were released as [[Mac OS 8|Mac OS 8–8.6]] and [[Mac OS 9|Mac OS 9–9.2]].
Line 170: Line 163:
Released during a troubled time in Apple's history, 7.6 is known for several bugs, such as the inability to customize what components are installed during installation<ref>{{Cite web |title=System 7.5 and Mac OS 7.6: The Beginning and End of an Era - LowEndMac |url=https://lowendmac.com/2014/system-7-5-and-mac-os-7-6-the-beginning-and-end-of-an-era/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408084846/https://lowendmac.com/2014/system-7-5-and-mac-os-7-6-the-beginning-and-end-of-an-era/ |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=May 15, 2022}}</ref> and its tendency to crash on some systems when they are shut down while a RAM disk is in use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RAM Disk Fix utility posted - CNET |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/ram-disk-fix-utility-posted/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515235641/https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/ram-disk-fix-utility-posted/ |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |access-date=May 15, 2022}}</ref>
Released during a troubled time in Apple's history, 7.6 is known for several bugs, such as the inability to customize what components are installed during installation<ref>{{Cite web |title=System 7.5 and Mac OS 7.6: The Beginning and End of an Era - LowEndMac |url=https://lowendmac.com/2014/system-7-5-and-mac-os-7-6-the-beginning-and-end-of-an-era/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408084846/https://lowendmac.com/2014/system-7-5-and-mac-os-7-6-the-beginning-and-end-of-an-era/ |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=May 15, 2022}}</ref> and its tendency to crash on some systems when they are shut down while a RAM disk is in use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RAM Disk Fix utility posted - CNET |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/ram-disk-fix-utility-posted/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515235641/https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/ram-disk-fix-utility-posted/ |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |access-date=May 15, 2022}}</ref>


== Releases ==
==Releases==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 183: Line 176:
|7.0.1
|7.0.1
|October 21, 1991
|October 21, 1991
|[[Macintosh Quadra]] 700/900/950<br/>[[PowerBook 100]]<br/>[[PowerBook 140]]<br/>[[PowerBook 170]] and some others
|[[Macintosh Quadra]] 700/900/950<br/>[[Macintosh Classic II]]<br/>[[PowerBook 100]]<br/>[[PowerBook 140]]<br/>[[PowerBook 170]] and some others
|-
|-
|7.1
|7.1
Line 268: Line 261:
|}
|}


== Timeline ==
==Timeline==
{{Timeline of Macintosh operating systems}}
{{Timeline of Macintosh operating systems}}


Line 280: Line 273:
==Notes==
==Notes==
{{notelist |refs=
{{notelist |refs=
{{efn|name="n1"|Project leaders Erich Ringewald<ref name="Apple: The Inside Story">{{cite book |title=Apple: The Inside Story of Intrigue, Egomania and Business Blunders |first=Jim |last=Carlton |orig-year=1997 |date=1999 |isbn=978-0099270737 |oclc=925000937 |type=hardback |edition=2nd |publisher=Random House Business Books |location=London | url=https://archive.org/details/appleinsidestory00carl | via=[[Internet Archive]] | access-date=December 15, 2023}}</ref>{{rp|96}} and Mike Potel<ref name="Inside Taligent Technology">{{cite book |first1=Sean |last1=Cotter |first2=Mike |last2=Potel |url=http://www.wildcrest.com/Potel/Portfolio/InsideTaligentTechnology/WW6.htm |title=Inside Taligent Technology |publisher=Addison-Wesley |date=1995 |isbn=0-201-40970-4 |oclc=1072525751 |access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref>{{rp|xiii,6}} date the start of Pink as "March 1988" or "early 1988", but ''Apple Confidential 2.0'' says "March 1987".<ref name="Apple Confidential"/>{{rp|69}}}}
{{efn|name="n1"|Project leaders Erich Ringewald<ref name="Apple: The Inside Story"/>{{rp|96}} and Mike Potel<ref name="Inside Taligent Technology">{{cite book |first1=Sean |last1=Cotter |first2=Mike |last2=Potel |url=http://www.wildcrest.com/Potel/Portfolio/InsideTaligentTechnology/WW6.htm |title=Inside Taligent Technology |publisher=Addison-Wesley |date=1995 |isbn=0-201-40970-4 |oclc=1072525751 |access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref>{{rp|xiii,6}} date the start of Pink as "March 1988" or "early 1988", but ''Apple Confidential 2.0'' says "March 1987".<ref name="Apple Confidential"/>{{rp|69}}}}
}}
}}


Line 293: Line 286:
* Stuple, S. J., ''Macintosh System 7.5 For Dummies Quick Reference'' (1994), {{ISBN|1-56884-956-7}}
* Stuple, S. J., ''Macintosh System 7.5 For Dummies Quick Reference'' (1994), {{ISBN|1-56884-956-7}}
* Bob Levitus, ''Macintosh System 7.5 for Dummies'' (November 1994), {{ISBN|1-56884-197-3}}
* Bob Levitus, ''Macintosh System 7.5 for Dummies'' (November 1994), {{ISBN|1-56884-197-3}}
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031004113439/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/os/os_05.html |date=October 4, 2003 |title=Technical Note OS05: (System 7.1) System Update 3.0 }} from apple.com
*{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031004113439/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/os/os_05.html|date=October 4, 2003|title=System 7.1, System Update 3.0 - Technical Note OS05}} from [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010804041320/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/ov/ov_21.html |date=August 4, 2001 |title=Technical Note OV21: System 7.5 }} from apple.com
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010804041320/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/ov/ov_21.html|date=August 4, 2001|title=System 7.5 - Technical Note OV21}} from [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040429090120/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/os/os_07.html |date=April 29, 2004 |title=Technical Note OS07: System 7.5 Update 1.0 }} from apple.com
*{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040429090120/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/os/os_07.html|date=April 29, 2004|title=System 7.5 Update 1.0 - Technical Note OS07}} from [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040628025311/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1017.html |date=June 28, 2004 |title=Technical Note TN1017: System 7.5 Update 2.0 and System 7.5.3 }} from apple.com
*{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040628025311/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1017.html|date=June 28, 2004|title=System 7.5 Update 2.0 and System 7.5.3 - Technical Note TN1017}} from [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040824052006/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1050.html |date=August 24, 2004 |title=Technical Note TN1050: System 7.5.3 Revision 2 }} from apple.com
*{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040824052006/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1050.html|date=August 24, 2004|title=System 7.5.3 Revision 2 - Technical Note TN1050}} from [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040627115141/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1069.html |date=June 27, 2004 |title=Technical Note TN1069: System 7.5.5 }} from apple.com
*{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040627115141/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1069.html|date=June 27, 2004|title=System 7.5.5 - Technical Note TN1069}} from [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031207162734/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1090.html |date=December 7, 2003 |title=Technical Note TN1090: Mac OS 7.6 }} from apple.com
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031207162734/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1090.html|date=December 7, 2003|title=Mac OS 7.6 - Technical Note TN1090}} from [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031208204957/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1096.html |date=December 8, 2003 |title=Technical Note TN1096: Mac OS 7.6.1 }} from apple.com
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031208204957/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1096.html|date=December 8, 2003|title=Mac OS 7.6.1 - Technical Note TN1096}} from [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 18:30, 23 July 2024

System 7
Version of the classic Mac OS operating system
Screenshot of Mac OS 7.6.1
DeveloperApple Computer
OS familyMacintosh
Working stateHistoric
Source modelClosed source
Initial releaseMay 13, 1991; 33 years ago (1991-05-13)
Latest release7.6.1 / April 7, 1997; 27 years ago (1997-04-07)
PlatformsMotorola 68k series, PowerPC (since 7.1.2)
Kernel typeMonolithic (68k),
nanokernel (PowerPC)
LicenseProprietary
Preceded bySystem 6
Succeeded byMac OS 8
Official websiteMac OS Releases at the Wayback Machine (archived April 12, 1997)
TaglineIt's powerful, it's easy to use-it's the new operating system for your Macintosh.
Support status
Historical, unsupported as of May 2001

System 7 (later named Mac OS 7) is the seventh major release of the classic Mac OS operating system for Macintosh computers, made by Apple Computer. It was launched on May 13, 1991, to succeed System 6 with virtual memory, personal file sharing, QuickTime, TrueType fonts, the Force Quit dialog, and an improved user interface.[1][2]

It was codenamed "Big Bang" in development and the initial release was named "The System" or "System" like all earlier versions. With version 7.5.1, the name "Mac OS" debuted on the boot screen, and the operating system was officially renamed to Mac OS in 1997 with version 7.6. The Mac OS 7 series was current for more than six years, the longest of classic Mac OS.

Development

The Secret About Box debuted as an Easter egg in System 7.0, with the Blue Meanies credits.

By 1988, the Macintosh had been on the market for four years. Some aspects of the operating system were beginning to fall behind those of Microsoft Windows.[3]: 133  Many of the assumptions of the System software architecture were obsolete – mainly, the single-tasking model, the replacement of which had first been examined in 1986's Switcher and then replaced with MultiFinder in System 5.

In March 1988,[a][4]: XXIII–XXIV  shortly before the release of System 6, a group of senior technical staff and managers at Apple held an offsite meeting to plan the future course of Mac OS development.[3]: 96  Improvements that seemed achievable in the short term were written on blue index cards, longer-term goals like true multitasking on pink cards, and more ambitious ideas like an object-oriented file system on red cards.[3]: 96–98 [5] The blue and pink ideas proceeded in parallel teams. The Blue team nicknamed itself Blue Meanies after characters in Yellow Submarine, and released System 7 in 1991.[6][3]: 169  Pink was spun off into Taligent, Inc in 1992 within the AIM alliance with IBM.[3]: 167 

Overview

Changes

In the theme of Blue, improvements in System 7 are significant but incremental.

  • A new Sound Manager API, version 2.0, replaces the older ad hoc APIs. The new APIs provide significantly improved hardware abstraction, and higher-quality playback.
  • 32-bit QuickDraw, supporting so-called "true color" imaging, is standard; it was previously available as a system extension.
  • System 7 allows a 32-bit program address space, increasing from the previous 24-bit address space, increasing the system memory limit from 8MB to 4GB.[7]
  • System 7 makes MultiFinder's cooperative multitasking mandatory.
  • Trash is a normal directory, allowing items to be preserved between reboots and disk eject events instead of being purged.
  • System extensions are relocated to their own subfolder, rather than in the root level of the System Folder as in System 6. They can be installed or removed simply by moving these "extensions" to or from the folder and then rebooting the computer.
  • Similarly, the Control Panel desk accessory becomes the Control Panels folder. The control panels themselves are separate files, stored within this directory.
  • Under System 6, the Apple Menu contains both a list of desk accessories and a list of running programs under MultiFinder. In System 7 the list of active programs is relocated to its own Application Menu.
  • System 7.1 introduces System Enablers, small extensions that are loaded at startup to support Macintosh models introduced since the last OS revision.[8]
  • Cannot run on Macintosh 512Ke.

New features

  • Personal File Sharing – along with user interface improvements for AppleTalk, System 7 includes a basic file-sharing server allowing any machine to publish folders to the AppleTalk network.
  • Aliases – small files that represent another object in the file system. Similar in concept to Unix symbolic links and Windows shortcuts, an alias in System 7 acts as a redirect to any object in the file system, such as a document, an application, a folder, a hard disk, a network share or removable medium or a printer.
  • Drag and drop – document icons can be dragged with the mouse and "dropped" onto application icons to open in the targeted application. System 7.5's Drag Manager expanded the concept system-wide to include multiple data types such as text or audio data.
  • Stationery, allowing users to save often-used document styles as a template. "Stationery-aware" applications create a new, untitled file containing the template data.
  • Balloon Help, a widget-identification system similar to tooltips.
  • AppleScript, a scripting language for automating tasks.
  • AppleEvents, a new interprocess communication model for "high-level" events to be sent to applications, including support for AppleEvents over an AppleTalk network.
  • Publish and Subscribe permits data "published" by one application to be imported by another.
  • TrueType outline fonts, replacing bitmapped fonts and outline PostScript printer fonts. TrueType for the first time offers a single font format that scales to any size on screen and on paper.
  • A newly colorized user interface, for machines that support color.

Installation

System 7 is the first Apple operating system published on compact disc, after initial publication on a set of 15 floppy disks. Unlike earlier systems, System 7 did not come bundled with major software packages. Newly purchased Macintosh computers had System 7 installed and were often bundled with software such as HyperCard, At Ease and Mouse Practice. Later, the Macintosh Performa family added various software bundles including ClarisWorks, The New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, Microsoft Bookshelf, Spectre VR and Power Pete. Since System 7 was introduced before the Internet came to popular attention, software such as MacTCP, FreePPP, and Netscape were not included at first, but was later available on disk from Internet service providers and bundled with books such as Adam C. Engst's Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh. Power Macintosh machines also included NuCalc, a graphing calculator. System 7 also includes AppleTalk networking and file-sharing software in the form of system extensions and control panels.

The basic utilities installed by default with System 7 include TeachText (which was replaced by SimpleText in later versions) for basic text editing tasks and reading readme documents. Also available on the additional "Disk Tools" floppy disk are Disk First Aid for disk repair and Apple HD SC Setup for initializing and partitioning disks.

Later versions of System 7, specifically System 7.5 and Mac OS 7.6, come with dedicated "Utilities" and "Apple Extras" folders including: AppleScript, Disk Copy, QuickDraw GX Extras and QuickTime Movie Player. More optional extras and utilities can be manually installed from the System CD.

Transition to PowerPC

System 7.1.2 is the first version of the Macintosh System Software to support Apple's new PowerPC-based computers. 68k applications that had not yet been updated to run natively on these systems were emulated transparently (without the user having to intervene) by a built-in 68k processor emulator. Fat binaries, which contained the code necessary to run natively on both PowerPC and 68k systems, became common during this time. This process was similar to the distribution of universal binaries during the Mac transition to Intel processors in 2006, as well as the Mac transition to Apple silicon beginning in 2020.

System 7.1.2 is the only release of the Macintosh operating system that boots stating "Welcome to Power Macintosh." Release 7.1.2P reverts this.[9]

PC compatibility

System 7.0 and 7.1 have a utility called Apple File Exchange, which accesses the contents of FAT- and Apple II-formatted floppy disks. Since System 7 Pro, PC Exchange is included, which allows the system to mount FAT-formatted floppy disks on the desktop like Macintosh disks. OS/2 disks can use the FAT file system. Macs can read and write UNIX file systems using extra software. System 7 accesses PC networks and uses TCP/IP and other compatible networking stacks.

Miscellaneous

System 7 has a larger memory footprint than System 6. System 6 can boot the system from a single 800k floppy disk and uses about 600 KB of RAM, whereas System 7 uses well over one megabyte. It was some time before the average Mac shipped with enough RAM built-in for System 7 to be truly comfortable. System 7 is the first system release that can no longer be usefully run on floppy-only systems. Although most Macintosh models sold at the time included a hard disk as standard equipment, owners of older models were required to upgrade their hardware by buying either a new Mac or an external SCSI hard disk drive if they wished to run System 7.

Its official system documentation, Inside Macintosh, initially shipped in three volumes, adding another to describe the changes introduced with the Mac Plus,[10] and another for the Mac II and Mac SE.[11]

System 7's virtual memory requires a Macintosh with a paged memory management unit (PMMU). The Motorola 68030 CPU has one, or one can be added to a 68020-equipped Macintosh II.

System 7.0 was adopted quite rapidly by Mac users and quickly became one of the base requirements for new software.

The engineering group within Apple responsible for System 7 came to be known as the "Blue Meanies", named after the blue index cards on which were written the features that could be implemented in a relatively short time as part of Apple's operating system strategy. In comparison, the pink index card features were handled by the Pink group, later becoming the ill-fated Taligent project.[6]

System 7.0 is the last version of the Macintosh operating system that was available at no charge and could be freely redistributed. Although System 7 could be purchased from Apple, the cost was nominal and considered to only cover duplication and media. It was common for Macintosh dealers to allow customers to use the store's demo machines to copy System 7 install disks for the cost of a box of floppies.[12] CD-ROM magazines such as Nautilus included System 7 on their disks. After Mac users downloaded thousands of copies of System 7 from the online services (AOL, CompuServe, and GEnie), Apple surveyed the services and based on this popularity started selling the Mac OS as a retail product with System 7.1. Apple continued charging for major operating system upgrades until the release of OS X Mavericks in 2013.

Version history

Soon after the initial release of System 7, the 7.0.1 minor update was released in October 1991, which updated the Portable and Brightness control panels, added the Caps Lock extension, which showed an up-pointing arrow onscreen if the Caps Lock key was depressed on PowerBooks, and added the Cache Switch control panel in additional to RAM disk and sound management optimizations for 68040 systems. Three small patches called "System 7 Tune-Up" also followed, which initially added an extension "System 7 Tuner" that improves memory management by quitting unused items, like apps and AppleTalk, and added "minimum" and "preferred" memory allotments to an application's Get Info box in its 1.0 version.[13] This would be followed by version 1.1, which updated the "System 7 Tuner" extension to 1.1, included LaserWriter driver version 7.1.1 and added a hidden extension called "Tuna Helper", intended to fix the "disappearing files" bug in which the system would lose files.[14] The final release, 1.1.1, included everything 1.1 included but also added the StyleWriter 7.2.2 printer drivers, Chooser 7.1 and a minor update to Tuna Helper.[15][16]

System 7.1

In August 1992, the 7.1 update was released. This is the first version of the system software that Apple charged money for. Of this change, David Pogue wrote:[17]: 225 

System 7.1 was remarkable for another reason, too: It was the first system software update Apple didn't give away. You had to buy it, much to the fury of user groups and online services that had gotten used to making each new system release available to everybody. Backing down in the face of the protests, Apple eventually offered the System 7.1 upgrade kit to user-group and online service members for less than $30. But the writing was on the wall: Apple was jealous of Microsoft, a system-software superstore to the world. Many wondered if the upgrade was even worth it. System 7.1 incorporated a huge number of changes, but the vast majority were deep-seated, core-level rewrites that added no usefulness to standard American Mac users.

— David Pogue, MacWorld Macintosh Secrets, 4th edition

New to 7.1 is the Fonts folder.[18] This replaced the often time-consuming method of dragging fonts to and from the System file, introduced in System 7.0; it also replaced the Font/DA Mover application from System 6, which could also be used with 7.0. System 7.1 also included a lot of internal changes to support internationalization of dates, time, and numbers. It was also the first version to support "Enablers", which removed the requirement to release a new version of the system software every time new hardware was released.

A set of specialized versions of 7.1, ranging from 7.1P1 to 7.1P6 (excluding 7.1P4) were created and included with various Performa models that were already available or were released after 7.1. These specialized versions included At Ease, Launcher, and some other changes that were integrated into later versions of the system software.

The first major upgrade was System 7.1.1, also known as "System 7 Pro". This release was a bundle of 7.1 with AppleScript tools, QuickTime and Apple Open Collaboration Environment (AOCE). While System 7 had some trouble running on slightly older machines due to its memory footprint, System 7 Pro barely fit into any Macintosh computers of the time. It was most commonly used for its minor bug fixes rather than its new functionality.

Apple co-founded the AIM alliance (Apple, IBM, and Motorola) in 1992, shortly after the release of System 7 in 1991, and started developing PowerPC-based machines that later became the Power Macintosh family. Support for these machines resulted in System 7.1.2.

System 7.1.2 was never offered for retail sale; it shipped with the first batches of the PowerPC Macs and a 68k version shipped with a small number of Quadra 600 series systems. Later shipments shipped with System 7.5 instead.

System 7.1.2P was the same as 7.1.2 and shipped with the Performa 630, LC 630 and Quadra 630 models that were released between July and November 1994.

System 7.5

On September 12, 1994, System 7.5 was released with bug fixes from previous updates and several new features:

  • An updated startup screen with a progress bar
  • A new interactive help system called Apple Guide
  • A clock in the menu bar (from the third-party freeware control panel SuperClock!)
  • An Apple menu item called Stickies (formerly a third-party application called "PasteIt Notes"), which provided virtual Post-It Notes
  • WindowShade, another former third-party shareware control panel, provided the ability to condense a window down to its title bar. Introduced as a "minimize" feature to compete with Windows 95 as Mac OS had no taskbar or dock.
  • MacTCP was bundled, enabling any Macintosh to connect to the Internet out of the box for the first time.
  • The Control Strip (a fast way to change the system volume, control the playback of audio CDs, manage file sharing and printers, and change the monitor resolution and color depth) was enabled on desktop Macintosh models for the first time. It had previously only been included with the PowerBook series.
  • A new Desktop Patterns control panel allowed for tiled patterns up to 128x128 pixels with 8-bit color; previous versions were limited to 8x8 pixel tiles with a maximum of eight possible colors. Similar functionality was found on earlier system versions exclusive to Performa models and was housed in the General Controls panel.
  • The Extensions Manager (enabling the user to turn extensions and control panels on and off; also based on a formerly third-party control panel)
  • PowerTalk, a system-level email handling service and the originator of the Keychain system.
  • The Launcher, a control panel containing shortcut buttons for frequently used programs (in a manner akin to the macOS Dock)
  • A hierarchical Apple menu (folders within the Apple Menu Items folder would expand into submenus showing their contents. Again, based on a third party control panel; HAM by Microseeds publishing[19])
  • System-wide drag & drop for text and other data (selections can be simply dragged with the mouse and dropped to their new destination, bypassing the clipboard)
  • A scriptable Finder
  • QuickDraw GX, a 2-D graphics rendering and geometry engine
  • For the PowerPC only, an advanced, 3d Graphing Calculator, secretly developed at Apple by a former third party contractor[20]
  • Support for OpenDoc

System 7.5 is codenamed "Capone", a reference to Al Capone and "Chicago", which is the codename for Microsoft's Windows 95 and is also the name of the default system font in Mac OS until version 8.[21]: 56 

System 7.5.1 is primarily a bug fix of 7.5 but also introduced a new "Mac OS" startup screen in preparation for Mac clones.

System 7.5.2, released only for the first PCI-based Power Macs, introduced Apple's new networking architecture, Open Transport.

System 7.5.3 is a major bug-fix update that also includes Open Transport for other PowerPC-based machines and some 68k-based machines. 7.5.3 improves the 68k emulator, and adds translucent dragging to the Drag Manager. It includes the first version of Control Strip to be compatible with all Macs. This is the first version of Mac OS to support SMP (9500/MP).

System 7.5.3 Revision 2 includes performance enhancements; better reliability for PowerBooks using the third-party RAM Doubler program; improved reliability for PowerBook 500, 2300, and 5300 series computers with the PowerPC Upgrade Card; improved reliability when using the Startup Disk control panel; and improved reliability when copying files to 1 GB hard disks.

System 7.5.3 Revision 2.1 was shipped with the Performa 6400/180 and 6400/200; this particular release is specific to these machines as there were stability problems with System 7.5.3 Release 2 on the new hardware, especially with the video card and transferring files over LocalTalk.[17]: 235 

System 7.5.4 was pulled due to a mistake at Apple, in which some components were not included in the installer.

System 7.5.5 included significant performance improvements for virtual memory and memory management on PowerPC-based Macs, including the elimination of one type 11 error.[clarification needed] Also included are several reliability improvements, such as fixes for Macs using floppy disks equipped with a DOS compatibility card, improved hard disk access for PowerPC PowerBooks and Performa 5400 through 9500 computers, fixes for Macs that included an Apple TV Tuner or Macintosh TV Remote Control, improvements to LocalTalk and networking (especially for the Performa 5400 and 6400), fixes to system startup for the faster 180 MHz Macs (which included PowerPC 604 or 604e processors), improved reliability when using sound-intensive applications on Quadra or Centris computers that contained the PowerPC upgrade card, and improved stability when using multiple background applications and shared printers on a network. System 7.5.5 is also the last System 7 release that can run on 68000-based Macs such as the Macintosh Plus and Macs with ROMs that lack support for 32-bit addressing such as Macintosh IIcx. 7.6 and later required a 68030 processor and 32-bit-addressing-capable ROM and will automatically turn on 32-bit addressing on boot.[22]

Mac OS 7.6

Mac OS 7.6 (codenamed "Harmony") was the last major update, released in 1997. With 7.6, the operating system was officially called "Mac OS" instead of "System". New features include a revamped Extensions Manager, more native PowerPC code for Power Macs, more bundled Internet tools and utilities, and a more stable Finder with increased memory allocation.[23] In this version, the PowerTalk feature added in 7.5 was removed due to poor application support, and support for a large number of older Macintosh models was dropped, including those with a Motorola 68000 or 68020.

The minor update to Mac OS 7.6.1 finally ported the 68k exception handling routines to PowerPC, turning type 11 errors into less harmful errors (type 1, 2, or 3, usually) as crashing applications would more often terminate safely instead of crashing the operating system.[24]

Through this period, Apple had been attempting to release a completely new "modern" operating system, named Copland. When the Copland project was abandoned in 1996, Apple announced plans to release an OS update every six months until Rhapsody (which would by 2001 evolve into what was released as Mac OS X) shipped.[25] Two more releases were shipped, now officially branded as Mac OS: Mac OS 7.6 and the minor bug fix 7.6.1. Future versions were released as Mac OS 8–8.6 and Mac OS 9–9.2.

Released during a troubled time in Apple's history, 7.6 is known for several bugs, such as the inability to customize what components are installed during installation[26] and its tendency to crash on some systems when they are shut down while a RAM disk is in use.[27]

Releases

Version number Release date Computer
7.0 May 13, 1991
7.0.1 October 21, 1991 Macintosh Quadra 700/900/950
Macintosh Classic II
PowerBook 100
PowerBook 140
PowerBook 170 and some others
7.1 August 28, 1992 Macintosh IIvx
PowerBook 180
Macintosh IIvi
7.0.1P September 14, 1992 Macintosh Performa 200
Macintosh Performa 400
7.1P October 19, 1992 Macintosh Performa 600
7.1P2 April 12, 1993 Macintosh Performa 405
Macintosh Performa 430
Macintosh Performa 450
7.1P3 October 18, 1993 Macintosh Performa 410/460/475/550
7.1.1 (Pro) October 21, 1993
7.1.1 PowerBook Duo 250/270c
PowerBook 520/540
7.1P5 December 1, 1993 Macintosh Performa 560
7.1P6 February 1, 1994 Macintosh Performa 575
7.1.2 March 14, 1994 Power Macintosh 6100
Power Macintosh 7100
Power Macintosh 8100
7.1.2P July 18, 1994 Quadra 630
7.5 September 12, 1994 Macintosh LC 580
7.5.1 March 23, 1995 Power Macintosh 6200
7.5.2 June 19, 1995 Power Macintosh 9500
7.5.3 January 1, 1996 Power Macintosh 5400
7.5.3 Revision 2 May 1, 1996
7.5.3 Revision 2.1 August 7, 1996 Performa 6400
7.5.3 Revision 2.2 Power Macintosh 9500/200
Performa 6360
7.5.5 September 27, 1996 Power Macintosh 5500
7.6 January 7, 1997 PowerBook 3400c
7.6.1 April 7, 1997 PowerBook 2400c
Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh

Timeline

Timeline of Mac operating systems
ARM architecture familyx86PowerPC68kMacBook Air (Apple silicon)iMac ProRetina MacBook ProMacBook AirApple–Intel architecturePower Mac G5Power Mac G4iMac G3Power MacintoshMacintosh QuadraMacintosh PortableMacintosh SE/30Macintosh IIMacintosh PlusMacintosh 128KmacOS SonomamacOS VenturamacOS MontereymacOS Big SurmacOS CatalinamacOS MojavemacOS High SierramacOS SierraOS X El CapitanOS X YosemiteOS X MavericksOS X Mountain LionMac OS X LionMac OS X Snow LeopardMac OS X LeopardMac OS X TigerMac OS X PantherMac OS X 10.2Mac OS X 10.1Mac OS X 10.0Mac OS X Server 1.0Mac OS X Public BetaA/UXA/UXA/UXMacWorks XLMacWorks XLSun RemarketingMacWorks XLMac OS 9Mac OS 9Mac OS 9Mac OS 8Mac OS 8Mac OS 8Mac OS 8System 7System 7System 7System 7System 6Classic Mac OSClassic Mac OSClassic Mac OSClassic Mac OSSystem 1Finder (software)Finder (software)Finder (software)Finder (software)Finder (software)Finder (software)Finder (software)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Project leaders Erich Ringewald[3]: 96  and Mike Potel[28]: xiii, 6  date the start of Pink as "March 1988" or "early 1988", but Apple Confidential 2.0 says "March 1987".[21]: 69 

References

  1. ^ Norton, Peter (1992). Inside System 7 (1st ed.). Brady Publishing. p. 215. ISBN 0-13-656273-6. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  2. ^ Danuloff, Craig (April 6, 1991). The System 7 Book (4th ed.). Ventana Press, Inc. ISBN 0-940087-58-8. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Carlton, Jim (1999) [1997]. Apple: The Inside Story of Intrigue, Egomania and Business Blunders (hardback) (2nd ed.). London: Random House Business Books. ISBN 978-0099270737. OCLC 925000937. Retrieved March 3, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  4. ^ Goldsmith, David (June 1994). Taligent's Guide to Designing Programs: Well-Mannered Object-Oriented Design in C++. Taligent Reference Library. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley. ISBN 978-0201408881. OCLC 636884338.
  5. ^ Singh, pg. 2
  6. ^ a b Every, David K.; Fanton, Daniel (August 26, 1998). "Apple Easter Eggs". MacKiDo. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  7. ^ "InfoWorld Aug 7, 1989". August 7, 1989. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  8. ^ "System 7.1 through Mac OS 7.6: Compatibility With Macintosh Computers". support.apple.com. February 18, 2012. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  9. ^ "InfoWorld". March 14, 1994. Archived from the original on September 15, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  10. ^ "Inside Macintosh, Volume 4" Archived March 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Amazon
  11. ^ "Book Collection". Archived from the original on November 24, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  12. ^ "Re: System 7.0 - Will it be on apple.com?". Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  13. ^ "System 7 Tune-Up - TidBITS". January 13, 1992. Archived from the original on May 15, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  14. ^ "Tune-Up 1.1, Just Get It - TidBITS". April 6, 1992. Archived from the original on May 15, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  15. ^ "Tune-Up Notes - TidBITS". April 20, 1992. Archived from the original on May 15, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  16. ^ "System 7.1 update guide" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2017.
  17. ^ a b Pogue, David (January 1997). MacWorld Macintosh Secrets 4th edition - Chapter 6: The System Software Museum (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 17, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  18. ^ Howard Bear, Jacci (November 19, 2018). "Here's How to Find Font Files on Macs or in Windows". Lifewire. Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2019. The default location for all System fonts in System 7.1 and later is the Fonts folder inside the System folder.
  19. ^ "Classic Mac Wares: MenuChoice 2.1". Archived from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved December 14, 2007.
  20. ^ "The Graphing Calculator Story". Archived from the original on January 18, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2007.
  21. ^ a b Linzmayer, Owen (2004). Apple Confidential 2.0: The Definitive History of the World's Most Colorful Company. No Starch Press. ISBN 1-59327-010-0.
  22. ^ Hoffman, Ilene (December 14, 2000). "Mac Corner: Your Mac OS, part 2". Archived from the original on March 8, 2011.
  23. ^ "Mac OS 7.6, Will it be worth it?". Archived from the original on December 22, 2010. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  24. ^ technote 1096
  25. ^ "YouTube - Macworld Boston 1997". YouTube. Archived from the original on November 24, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  26. ^ "System 7.5 and Mac OS 7.6: The Beginning and End of an Era - LowEndMac". Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  27. ^ "RAM Disk Fix utility posted - CNET". Archived from the original on May 15, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  28. ^ Cotter, Sean; Potel, Mike (1995). Inside Taligent Technology. Addison-Wesley. ISBN 0-201-40970-4. OCLC 1072525751. Retrieved February 10, 2019.

Bibliography

Further reading

Preceded by System 7/Mac OS 7
1991
Succeeded by