An Apple Support Technical Note.
As Mac OS X is revised, the number of Mac OS X users also using Mac OS 9 on their computers (in the Classic Environment) is ever dwindling. As a result, my coverage of Mac OS 9 issues in my Mac OS X Visual QuickStart Guides is shrinking with each revision.
Of particular note are my somewhat vague instructions for installing Mac OS 9 on a Mac OS X computer. My editor decided (and I concurred) that the number of readers who would actually need this material was not significant enough to warrant full coverage. And since the book is getting fatter and fatter (not unlike its author these days — ouch!), trimming has become an important part of the revision process.
Fortunately, Apple has a great technical note that covers the process: “Mac OS X 10.2, 10.3: How to perform Mac OS 9 clean installation with Restore CDs.” In it, you’ll find step-by-step instructions, as well as links to related articles.
I also want to mention here that Apple’s support Web site is an excellent source of help for Mac tasks and problems. The only problem I have with it is the fact that the search feature is so poor that it often comes up with many, many articles that simply don’t address my problem. This might be my problem — my personal inability to effectively use the search features. Who knows? In any case, it’s worth a try the next time you’re stumped while sitting in front of your Mac.
