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Patrick Chinn
pchinn@oregon.uoregon.edu
Mac OS X is a departure from previous versions of the Macintosh operating system, and new software takes time to mature. Now that Mac OS X is nearing its first birthday, some users may find that it's time to make the switch.
If you're thinking of upgrading to Mac OS X, ask yourself the following questions:If you answered "yes" to all three questions, Mac OS X may be right
for you. Read on to make the final determination.
If you answered "no" to one or more questions, your Macintosh will
most likely not run Mac OS X in a way that's acceptable. We recommend
using your current operating system until it's time to upgrade to a new computer.
According to Apple, Mac OS X includes out-of-the-box support for most USB-compatible
printers by Canon, Hewlett-Packard, and Epson, as well as most networked printers
available on campus. It also supports most digital still cameras that can handle
mass storage, PTP, and Digita.
We strongly recommend checking the manufacturer's web site to see if your hardware
is compatible with Mac OS X. If not, assume the device will not work.
Software compatibility is a little less complex. Mac OS X includes a web browser
and email program, and Microsoft Office is available in a Mac OS X-specific
version.
Utilities like Symantec's Norton Utilities and Norton Antivirus are also available.
Other popular applications, such as Adobe Photoshop, are due shortly for Mac
OS X.
If there are other applications you use regularly, check Apple's Classic compatibility
list (available via the link at the bottom of http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/requirements.html)
to see if the software is listed as being Classic-compatible.
Classic software loads and runs as a Mac OS 9 application within Mac OS X and
does not support some of the new user interface features.
If all the software you use on a daily basis is available for Mac OS X and
your computer (questions 1-3) and external hardware (question 4) are compatible,
then you are ready to enter the world of Mac OS X.
Faculty and staff working in a department with in-house computer support should
contact their local technical support personnel for department-specific details
on running Mac OS X.
Mac OS X is available direct from Apple (http://www.apple.com/). Locally, it's carried by the UO Bookstore (http://www.uobookstore.com/). Departments may also purchase licenses through the Oregon Education Technology Consortium (http://www.oetc.org/).