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System 6

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This article is about the Macintosh operating system version. For the IBM word processor, see System 6 (word processor).
System Software 6
File:Sys6screenshotbusy.png
System Software 6.0.8 workspace
DeveloperApple Computer
OS familyMac OS
Source modelClosed source
Released to
manufacturing		April, 1988
Latest release6.0.8 / April, 1991[1]
Kernel typeMonolithic
LicenseProprietary
Support status
Unsupported

System 6 (also referred to as System Software 6) is a graphical user interface-based operating system for Macintosh computers. It was released in 1988 by Apple Computer and was part of the Mac OS line of operating systems. System 6 was shipped with various Macintosh computers until it was succeeded by System 7 in 1991. The boxed version of System 6 cost US$49 when introduced.[2] System 6 is classed as a monolithic operating system. It featured an improved MultiFinder, which allowed for co-operative multitasking. The last version of System 6 was released in 1991.

Main features

Applications

A software program called MacroMaker, developed by Apple, was introduced with System 6.[3] It allowed users to record a set of computer instructions, known as macros. The most unique part of MacroMaker was its user interface, which aimed to look and act like a tape recorder.[4] MacroMaker was criticized for its lack of features when compared to Microsoft's AutoMac III, a similar product available at the time.[4] Shortly after release of System 6, some users reported problems when using MacroMaker.[4] MacroMaker was not compatible with System 7, which used AppleScript instead.

System 6 used a utility called Font/DA Mover for the management of fonts and Desk Accessories (DA). This utility was created because DAs were not installed as applications, but instead were integrated into the system software file, similar to drivers. This meant that DAs could not be managed using the Finder, System 6's file management program. Font/DA Mover was also used to install fonts onto System 6 for use in software such as MacWrite, Apple's word processing software. Font/DA Mover was first developed by Bert Sloane in 1985, and was shortly after included on Macintosh system software disks as standard.[5] Several third party alternatives for font management were released, including Suitcase, Adobe Type Manager and Font-DA Juggler Plus.[6] [7]

Multitasking

Cooperative multitasking made its Macintosh debut in March 1985 with a program called Switcher by Andy Hertzfeld, which allowed the user to launch multiple applications and switch between them.[8] Many programs and features did not function correctly with Switcher, and it was not built into the operating system. Instead, it was available from Apple for purchase separately. Both System 5 and System 6 had a feature called MultiFinder instead.[9] Multitasking under System Software 6 was optional, startup could be set to Finder or MultiFinder. If MultiFinder was selected, the Finder and its functions continued to run when an application was launched. The MultiFinder environment allowed users to see past the windows of running applications to view Finder icons such as the Trash, or the windows of other applications running in the background. This was at the expense of more RAM, so it was not always possible to multitask if one of the applications required too large a portion of the available RAM.

Hardware support

System 6 included support for the Apple ImageWriter LQ and other PostScript laser printers. New software drivers allowed the ImageWriter LQ to be used on AppleTalk local area networks and supports use of tabloid, or B, size paper (11 inches by 17 inches).[3] System 6 also included QuickerGraf, a piece of system software used to accelerate the drawing of color screen images on the Macintosh II. It was licensed to Apple and Radius Inc by its programmer, Andy Hertzfeld.[3]

User interface

File:Finder608.png
System Software 6.0.8 Finder

System 6 used the same black-and-white graphical user interface environment used in previous Macintosh operating systems. The Macintosh Finder in System 6 is built around several key concepts including the desktop metaphor, data as objects, mouse integration, and a shared user interface.[10] The combination of consistent menus, windows and icons were designed for ease of use.[11] The desktop metaphor allows the computer screen to be represented as a desktop. Items can be present on the screen, as if the user had a calendar, notepad and paper on an actual desk.[10] Data can be represented as objects, and moved using the cursor, which is controlled by the mouse.[10] The Finder assigns graphic symbols, known as icons, to these data objects.[10] Like its predecessors, System 6 provides an editor in the control panel to change the desktop pattern, but does not allow images to be used.

Limitations

System 6 had several significant limitations, which were remedied in its successor, System 7. Unlike later Macintosh operating systems, System 6's Apple menu was not customizable, and there was no application switcher menu in the upper right-hand corner of the menu bar.[12] System 6 supported 24 bits of addressable random access memory (RAM), which allowed a maximum of 8 megabytes of RAM.[13] This limitation was removed in System 7, and virtual memory was introduced.[13] System 6 also had a hard drive capacity limit; it supports up to 2 gigabytes and 65,536 files on a drive.[14]

Management of files in System 6 was considerably different than both System 7 and later Macintosh operating systems. The absence of a Desktop folder on System 6 meant that files and folders could not be stored on the Desktop; instead, only references to files and folders could be kept.[15] Open dialogs and Save As dialogs were primitive, mostly unchanged since 1984. A maximum of fifteen Desk Accessories could be installed at one time, including the Chooser, Scrapbook, and Control Panel. System 6 used a single desk accessory for access to various control panels, instead of the Macintosh Finder.[16] The Trash (or "Wastebasket" in the British version) was programmed to empty when the Finder terminated. If MultiFinder was not running, this would occur whenever an application was launched. The lack of aliases, shortcuts to files, was another limitation of file management on System 6.[17] Custom file and folder icons were not supported until System 7.

As with previous system software versions, the user interface is largely unable to be modified or customized. This was later changed in System 7, which allowed the user to change the color and various other aspects of the user interface. In addition, System 6 did not allow users to change the font sizes or styles for user interface elements such as menus and window titlebars.[18] By 1989, the System 6 user interface was in need of a change.[18] In comparison to the NeXTSTEP operating system of the time, System 6 did not make use of sound, and its user interface presented several limitations in terms of file management and the way windows were displayed.[18] System 6 did not include tear-off menus, or resizable menus as NeXTSTEP did.[18] In addition, System 6 did not allow users to change the font sizes or styles for user interface elements such as menus and window titlebars.

Reception

The initial releases of System 6 were unstable; many third party software developers did not receive copies before its release, resulting in widespread compatibility problems.[2] At first, many common software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Works and 4th Dimension were not fully compatible with System 6.[2] There were also software bugs in the Color Manager, Script Manager, and Sound Manager extension files. Apple announced that 66 bugs were fixed when the 6.0.1 update was released in September 1988.[19] [20] However, a major bug involving text spacing of screen fonts was found in 6.0.1 after distribution began.[20] This led to the quick release of 6.0.2, which solved this problem. Some customers waited longer until moving to System 6 because of the poor reputation already gained.[21]

Compatibility

The following table as cited indicates which versions of System Software 6 were supported by Apple on certain computers, not necessarily whether a specific Mac could actually run it.[22][23]

Macintosh Model Model Date 6.0.8[22] 6.0.7[22] 6.0.5[22] 6.0.4[22] 6.0.3[22] 6.0.2[22]
128K 1984 No No No No No No
512K 1984 No No No No No No
512Ke 1986 Yes[24] Yes[24] Yes[24] Yes[24] Yes[24] Yes[24]
XL/Lisa 1985 No No No No No No
Plus 1986 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
SE 1987 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
SE/30 1989 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Classic 1990 Yes Yes No No Yes[25] No
Classic II 1991 Yes: 6.0.8L[26] No No No No No
Portable 1989 Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
II 1987 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
IIx 1988 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
IIcx 1989 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
IIci 1989 Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
IIfx 1990 Yes Yes Yes No No No
IIsi 1990 Yes Yes No No No No
LC 1990 Yes Yes No No No No
LC II 1992 Yes No No No No No
Quadra 700 1991 No No No No No No
Quadra 900/950 1991/1992 No No No No No No
PowerBook 100 1991 Yes: 6.0.8L[26] Yes: limited[23] No No No No
PowerBook 140
145/145B/170 		1991/1992/1993 No Yes: J-6.0.7.1Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). No No No No

Version history

System Version[27] Release Date[27] Finder Version[27] MultiFinder Version[27] LaserWriter Version[27] Release Information[27]
6.0 1988 6.1 6.0 5.2 Initial Release
6.0.1 1988 6.1.1 6.0.1 5.2 Release for Macintosh IIx (1988)
6.0.2 1988 6.1 6.0.1 5.2 Maintenance Release
6.0.3 1989 6.1 6.0.3 5.2 Release for Macintosh IIcx (1989)
6.0.4 1989 6.1.4 6.0.4 5.2 Release for Macintosh Portable and IIci (1989)
6.0.5 1990 6.1.5 6.0.5 5.2 Release for Macintosh IIfx (1990)
6.0.6 1990 6.1.6 6.0.6 5.2 Not officially released.
6.0.7 1990 6.1.7 6.0.7 5.2 Official release for Macintosh LC, IIsi and Classic (1990)
6.0.8 1991 6.1.8 6.0.8 7.0 Updated printing software to match software of System 7.0
6.0.8L 1992[26] 6.1.8 6.0.8 7.0 Limited maintenance release for Pacific customers

References

  1. ^ http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=15582
  2. ^ a b c Paden, Jake (November 1988), "Now we are six (System Software 6.0 for the Macintosh)", MacUser, p. 184
  3. ^ a b c Forbes, Jim (April 12, 1988), "Apple to enhance system software, desktop database.", PC Week, p. 11
  4. ^ a b c Beaver, David (July 19, 1988), "Some simpler solutions to making macros (MacroMaker and AutoMac III macro recorders for the Macintosh)", MacWEEK, p. 44
  5. ^ "New Font and Desk Accessory Mover", Macworld, p. 42, August 1985
  6. ^ Bobker, Steven (Nov 1987), "Packing 'em in (Suitcase font program review)", MacUser, p. 111
  7. ^ Aker, Sharon Zardetto (May 1988), "DAs of our lives. (FONT-DA Juggler Plus) (Software Review)", MacUser, p. 203
  8. ^ Hertzfeld, Andy (2005). Revolution in the Valley. O'Reilly. pp. 243–251. ISBN 0596007191.
  9. ^ Wiggins, Robert R. (March 1988), "All systems go (System Tools 5.0 with MultiFinder)", MacUser, p. 126
  10. ^ a b c d Jennings, Mark S (issue 12/1984), "Evaluating the Macintosh Finder", Byte, pp. A94–A101 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ Poole, Lon (1984), "A tour of the Mac desktop", Macworld, pp. 16–27
  12. ^ LeVitus, Bob ((July 1991), "System 7.0: 10 reasons why you'll love it", Computer Shopper, p. 202 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ a b "Settling down with System 7 (Apple Macintosh operating system's compatibility with network operating systems and upgrading benefits)", The Local Area Network Magazine, p. 18, August 1991
  14. ^ "Macintosh: File System Specifications and Terms". Apple Inc. January 17, 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
  15. ^ LeVitus, Bob (March 1992), "Top ten secrets of System 7 (Beating the System)", MacUser, p. 213
  16. ^ Inside Macintosh: More Macintosh Toolbox (Apple Technical Library) (PDF). Addison-Wesley. October 1992. p. 779. ISBN 0201632438.
  17. ^ Michel, Steve (May 14, 1991), "Aliasing: a file by any other name. (making duplicate files with minimal disk space) (System 7.0 Survival Guide)", MacWEEK, pp. S13
  18. ^ a b c d Crabb, Don (issue 6/1989), "The Mac Interface: Showing Its Age", Byte, pp. 235–237 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "System 6.0.1 set for distribution", MacWEEK, September 13, 1988
  20. ^ a b Perrow, Jonathan (September 20, 1988), "System 6.0 saga not over yet", MacWEEK, p. 2
  21. ^ "Managers go slow with System 6.0.2", MacWEEK, p. 2, October 25, 1988
  22. ^ a b c d e f g "System Software: Version Matrix, System 6.0.x to 7.0.1". Apple Inc. September 10, 1997. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
  23. ^ a b "PowerBook & Macintosh Classic II: No Support for System 6". Apple Inc. November 30, 1994. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  24. ^ a b c d e f "Macintosh 512Ke: Technical Specifications". Apple Inc. 2002-03-14. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  25. ^ "The System in the New Machine". TidBITS Publishing Inc. Novemeber 19, 1990. Retrieved 2008-05-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ a b c "System 6.0.8L: ReadMe File (8/95)". Apple Inc. August 17, 1995. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  27. ^ a b c d e f "Macintosh: System Software Version History". Apple Inc. August 07, 2001. Retrieved 2008-04-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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