So, you don’t have a classic environment at all, right? Go here. I believe it will install the equiv. of 9.2.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=151905 To install Mac OS 9: Back up your essential files, if possible. Insert the “Additional Software & Apple Hardware Test” disc. Double-click “Install Extra Software.” Follow the onscreen instructions to install Mac OS 9.
You can run OS9 apps under 10 but it has to have OS9.2.1 (Classic) installed. If you updated your OS to X rather than installed to a new or formatted the drive, you can download the updates from Apple.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75103
First to 9.1 then to 9.2.1 in two download/install steps.
Want good help fixing your bike, go to your LBS.
Want good help on a mac, go to your local mac reseller. I guarantee there is one near you, and they are usually good about helping people out.
Anyway, I work at an Apple Store, and here is the lowdown on your problem:
OS9 and OSX are drastically different. So OS9 programs that you try to run, even though you have OSX installed, will still open up classic (OS9) to use them. So get newer versions of the software. In the case of Photoshop, it may not be worth the money. But for your camera, scanner, printer, you can get OSX drivers off the manufacturer website free. In fact, OSX usually comes with most scanners and printers dirvers pre-installed. Odds are that your cannon, epson, and inomega hardware should be plug and play.
The .Mac program is a paid sucscription program. 99 per year. It includes virutal hard drive space, email, virus protection, and chat among other things. You don’t need it unless you want the provided services. For internet access, you can use your DSL or employers remote access.
Garage band is part of the iLife suite. This group of programs (iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iTunes, and Garageband) ships with all new macs, but is not included in OSX. You have to buy it for $49. But most apple reseller right now are offering a $50 rebate if you buy iLife and OSX together. (So contact whoever sold you OSX, and see if they will still let you work something out.) If your computer has iLife, you can find GarageBand in the applications folder.
iPhoto is more of a management software. It is not meant for optimizing photos for the web. Yes, it is clunky. The best solution is Photoshop, which retails about $500. Photoshop Elements is a watered down version that sells for $99, and has a lot of the same basic functions. If you have Photoshop (wither one), use the save for web function instead of Save AS, it will give you better compression. You can also batch process images, for fast non-clunky optimization.
Yeah, you might as well wait for your DSL to do the updates. They are big enough that it could take a while in a 56k. Plus you will probably want to run “software update” to get the latest version of ALL of your software. (for example, it will update you from 10.3.0 to 10.3.6, fixing little bugs and glitches. if you have iLife, it will also update iTunes, GarageBand, etc. DSL helps for that.
While you are getting DSL, bug your DSL company and see if they will give you a free wireless router instead of a plain old router. They usually supply you with one with the service, and getting wireless now (for free if you are persistent enough) will end up saving you from having to buy an Airport Base Station down the road.
You really should call your local Apple Dealer or Reseller. But Apple will usually answer questions over the phone really fast (Best customer service according to Consumer REports over and over. Call them at 1-800-SOS-APPLE)
Anyway, I work at an Apple Store<<
Ooohh!!! I like you!! Do you guys get discounts?
I love the Burlingame Apple store–those guys are so nice and helpful!
clm, who has a really long wish list from the Apple Store
Uh. Apple employees and discounts don’t get along very well. For an apple reseller (mind you, not oficially an “Apple Store”), the margin on computers is between 2 and 8ish percent. That means even if we could get computers at cost, which isn’t very often, we still wouldn’t get them as cheap as say, a student, teacher or goverment employee. Hmmm. I have friends asking me for a computer half off all the time. I wish. I’d be selling them on ebay in no time! Apple offers $200 off any computer once every two years to any Apple reseller employee who completes a bunch of training. Still, not as good as the student discount. Very, very dumb.
If you are in Utah though, stop by the store and I’ll see if I can’t get you some sort of discount.
BenDavis
We love you and will now never stop bothering you with all of our unanswered Aplle questions!!! Don’t try to hide. We’ll track you down like a dog.
Frank