PowerCADD and Mac OS X

The current version of PowerCADD 2000 (V5.012) runs cleanly under Classic and Mac OS 9.2.2.

If you have PowerCADD 2000 but an earlier update than 5.012, you are best advised to download the 5.012 update from http://www.engsw.com/Downloads/Downloads.html .

If you have PowerDraw™ and versions of PowerCADD earlier than version 2000 and you wish to run Mac OS X, you are best advised to upgrade to PowerCADD 2000 as soon as possible. Get in contact with your national distributor quickly.

A fully OS X compatible version of PowerCADD is currently under development and beta testing, but no release date has been announced as yet. Engineered Software is doing their usual thorough "develop and test before releasing".

Macintosh OS X - Is It Right For You?

Macintosh OS X represents a major leap forward in many respects, but as with all major leaps in the computer industry, there are direct and hidden costs to prospective users.

Changed Habits
Short term and long term Macintosh users will find the transition discomforting at first as many of the basic interface "comforts" have changed, and, as they say, the dirtiest word in business is "change". For example, the desktop command Apple+N no longer gets you a new folder, Shift+Apple+N does. So there is a learning curve price. A short one, but nevertheless there is one.

The earlier you start becoming familiar with OS X, the better you will adapt and progress. But there is a warning. Having to swap back and forth between the Mac OS X and the Mac OS 9.2.2 environment constantly, without making a commitment to OS X will be more frustrating than making the commitment because "old" habits will be conflicting with "newly learned" habits.

Changed Hardware
Much has been said and discussed in various forums and publications on the internet and in print about Mac OS X and "old" Macintosh computers and whether OS X will run well on "my old Macintosh". Apple has said OS X will run on Macs with a G3 processor. True - it will. However ...

Here is a simple questionnaire to help you make up your mind whether you need a new Macintosh or whether your current one will do:

(Please note that each of these questions begs $$ costs which you need to investigate. This questionnaire is intended to provide a practical guide as to whether your current Mac(s) can and should be able to run under Mac OS X reasonably.)

1) Does your Mac have USB and FireWire connection ports. If yes, go to question 2.
2) Does your Mac have at least 256 megabytes of RAM? If no - go to question 3.
3) Can your Mac have more than 256 megabytes installed? If yes - go to question 4.
4) Does your Mac have at least one 10 gigabyte hard drive. If yes, go to question 5.
5) Can your Mac accommodate a hard drive with greater capacity than 20 gigabytes. If yes, go to question 6.
6) Does your Mac have a Nvidia GeForce or AGP-based ATI Radeon Graphics Processor Unit or card. If not, you had better read this article from Apple , as a good portion of Mac OS X's speed is dependent upon Quartz Extreme compatible GPU's.

If you are unable to answer "yes" to all but question 2, you need to replace the Mac(s) that you have currently - or - you need to examine how you can keep running under Mac OS 9.2.2 and earlier. (like getting Mac OS 9 compatible upgrades to the software you depend upon quickly.)

If you are able to answer "yes" to all six questions, you can have some certainty that your current Mac(s) will be able to operate under Mac OS X reasonably. Now you need to take stock of what it will cost to upgrade the Mac hardware to the OS X minimum standard - and above all - you need to contact the manufacturers of all:
a) the application software you depend upon daily for their OS X compatibility and upgrades.
b) your specialty input devices (e.g. scanners, graphic tablets, etc.) for OS X compatible drivers and upgrades.
c) output devices (modems, printers, plotters, etc.) for OS X compatible drivers and upgrades.
d) network hardware for OS X compatible drivers and upgrades.

OS X compatibility is an issue; a big issue.

Do not assume any of this "stuff" will work. Investigate carefully yourself. Use Sherlock to search the internet, visit the manufacturers web sites, send the manufacturer an e-mail with specific model number and the current version of the device driver that you are currently using.

Above all P-L-A-N. It is a four letter word, but it is necessary more now than in the past.

Changed Operating Systems
Mac OS X is UNIX and not just another Mac OS transition.

Mac OS 9.2.2 is the only 'classic' Mac operating system version that works with and is compatible with OS X. Other classic Mac OS versions that are older than 9.2.2 can exist within one network, but compatibility overall becomes a significant issue.

What Is The Rush ?
On September 10, Apple warned: Starting in January, 2003, all new Mac models will only boot into Mac OS X as the startup operating system, though they will retain the ability to run most Mac OS 9 applications through Apple’s bundled “Classic” software. [Sept. 10]

These new Mac models will retain the ability to boot up Mac OS 9.2.2 under Classic mode, but it is not certain whether these new 2003 Mac models will be able to boot from Mac OS 9.2.2. Further, Apple has announced that they have discontinued support for classic Mac Operating Systems, including Mac OS 9.2.2.

This means that you will have to purchase Mac OS 9.2.2 separately and have it installed separately on these 2003 "OS X only" Mac computers to enable the ability to run Mac OS 9.2.2 compatible software in Classic mode. This is just another important consideration in planning your Mac(s) and the software you depend upon.

Best Advice - The Bottom Line
If the above shows that you can not afford to move to OS X now, you should carefully examine getting your office up-to-date and fully compatible with Mac OS 9.2.2 - quickly.

If the above shows that you can move to OS X - and if you are currently up-to-date with Mac OS 9.2.2** - plan to do so at your earliest opportunity. However, under no circumstances - repeat - under no circumstances, should you convert your office to OS X without having Mac OS 9.2.2 (referred to as Classic) running and available on each "converted" Mac. All non-converted Macs should also be running Mac OS 9.2.2.

In either case, your attention is needed now, and you should move with some urgency.

** Why have Mac OS 9.2.2 available? Simply put, Mac OS 9.2.2 provides you with the access and control that you have grown accustomed to all these years. If "things" are not just right, and you do not know how to make them "right" under Mac OS X, you can reboot your computer under Mac OS 9.2.2 and "fix it". Mac OS 9.2.2 is the oldest of the 'Classic' Mac Operating System that OS X will work with.