Using OS 9 Software with OS 10 (?)

Mikeo · #1 12-01-2004, 11:44 PM

I'm about to up-grade from a 1999 (Graphite) I-Book with OS 9.0.2 to a new one, which will have OS 10.

I don't want to buy a whole lot of new software, but believe the new machines work on either OS 9 or OS 10? So can you just switch from OS 9 to OS 10 while the machine is running? If so, I can presumably continue to use my old applications such as 'Word for Mac OS 8.5'?

And how about Outlook Express? I'm told there's a new application called 'Entourage', but suspect this doesn't come as standard with OS 10, and in any case may be more elaborate than I require for general e-mailing. Will I be able to download an OS 10 version of Outlook Express? Or will I continue to do my
e-mailing under OS 9?

Comments appreciated.

Mike

**mmkerc** · #2 12-02-2004, 01:41 AM

You should be able to run all your pre-system X software on the new laptop. OS 9.2(?) runs in a "shell" of OS X which allows you to run your software. Although Entourage is not free with OS X, Apple's "Mail" program is. This is as good as Entrourage or Outlook Express. In some ways better as it is more tightly intergated into the other applications.

One other note, like you I initially tried to aviod upgrading my programs to OS X savvy, but I found that running OS X was a much better solution. YOu may want to plan to upgrade as your budget allows. It took me about 1 1/2 years to do but I'll never go back.

Mikeo · #3 12-02-2004, 05:56 AM

VMT for that helpful reply – I have OS 9.0.2 now, BTW.

Just one more thing, pse: when you change between OS 9 and OS 10 on a new machine, do you have to restart each time?

Mike

**mmkerc** · #4 12-02-2004, 06:55 AM

You do not reboot to run OS 9. Basically the OS X treats OS 9 as a program. So what happens is you start Word for Mac 8.5, and a startup window popup launching Classic (OS 9). Once Classic is up and running, word will open. Classic will stay running in the background until you turn off the computer, or purposefully quit Classic.

I do not beleive you can set your startup volume to any thing other than an OS X system. (i.e You cannot boot up in OS 9, just run OS 9 inside of OS X).

This really is not as complex as it seems. Once you do it you will see what I mean.

Mikeo · #5 12-04-2004, 04:04 AM

Thanks for your reply.

Interested to hear about the Apple Mail Program … didn't know about that. Can you transfer all your contacts and previous e-mails from OE 5 into the Apple program?

On the other hand, I might prefer to continue with OE. One thing which is essential is a multi-lingual spellchecker (with red underline) which seems to be linked with MS Word. The latter would remain my regular WP.

So is there a downloadable OE for OS 10? Or will I have to send my e-mails under OS 9, if I don't want to fork out for Entourage?

Comments greatly appreciated.

Mike

**mmkerc** · #6 12-04-2004, 10:40 AM

I believe Outlook Express is not OS X savvy, so you will have to run it in Classic. Entourage is part of the MS Office suite of programs for the Mac. So when ever you do upgrade Word you can get Entourage that way. With respect to transfering data from Outlook to Mail, I know you can do it I just don't remember offhand how to (if Mail does it for you, or you run an applescript to do it).

Mail does underline misspelled words, and has several lanaguage dictonaries. You might want to try it for a few days to see if it meets your needs.