23.MAC OS 3

The biggest feature added in system 7 included the built-in co-operative multitasking. In system 6, this function was optional through the multi finder. System 7 also introduced aliases which are similar to shortcuts that were introduced in later versions of Windows.

System extensions were enhanced by being moved to their own subfolder. A subfolder in the system folder was also created for the control panels. A smaller update – dubbed system 7.5 – included the extensions manager, a previously third party program which simplified the process of enabling and disabling extensions.

System 7 moved the Mac to true 32-bit memory addressing necessary for the every-increasing amounts of RAM available. Earlier systems used the lower 24 bits for addressing and the upper 8 bits for flags.

This was an effective solution for earlier Mac models with very limited amounts of RAM, but it became a liability later. Virtual memory support was also added as a separate, optional feature.

The Apple menu, home only to desk accessories in system 6 was made more general purpose: the user could now make often-used folders and applications – or anything else they desired – appear in the menu by placing aliases to them in an “Apple Menu Items” subfolder of the system folder.

The trash folder, under system 6 and earlier, would empty itself automatically when shutting down the computer or, if multi-finder were not running, when launching an application.

System 7 re-implemented the trash as a special hidden folder allowing files to remain in it across reboots until the user deliberately chose the “Empty Trash” command.

There were some other “high level” additions in system 7. Many people felt that Apple dropped the ball on some of these additions and accused the company of not fully thinking through these updates. Microsoft was accused of the same thing with earlier versions of Windows as well.

One of the most confusing aspects of the Mac OS was the reliance on countless System Enablers to support new hardware which would prove to plague the Mac OS all the way to version 8 after which iMac introduced its “New World” architecture.

Although the iMac itself requires a system enabler with OS 8 as other Macs released at that time, Macs released after the iMac do not require a system enabler.
Another problem encountered was that various system update extensions with inconsistent version numbering schemes.

Overall stability and performance of the Mac OS gradually worsened during this time which introduced Power PCsupport and 68K emulation.

When version OS 7.6 was released, the stability of the operating system was much better. People began to fully embrace the Mac OS and their legitimacy returned as a popular operating system.
System 7 also saw the introduction of an interactive help application, and the addition of “Stickies” which were basically virtual Post-It notes. Many Mac users still have OS 7 on their Apples.

Two other versions would follow in OS 8 and OS 9 each improving on the previous version. Apple continued to develop updates to their operating system making it more stable and capable of more tasks working efficiently to bring Mac into the 21st century.

The most recent version and one that is used on new systems today is Mac OS X. This version provides a stable operating environment for the Mac PC and offers more flexibility than other systems. The graphics are updated with lots of color and a flashier look.