There has been a great of interest expressed in finding a Mac OS for
the 5x series Apple Computers that runs faster then OS 9.1.
Information Systems has looked into this.

Initially there was some success with making 9.1 faster. The results
were 20% faster then the current distribution of 9.1. But it was
deemed insufficent. Lower versions of the Mac OS were looked at all
the way back to OS 7.6.1. But going that far causes users to loose
too many functions and compatibility that they currently enjoy. But a
version was found that meets the criteria of running faster and
providing compatibility. That is version 8.6 of the Mac OS.

Work has been done to make the transition to 8.6 a basically minor
affair. But there is a downside. The keyboard shortcuts for trash are
gone. And the current version of Network Assistant cannot be used.
But Network Assistant 3.5.2 will. 3.5.2 requires separate admin from
Network Asst 4. But there is a version for OS 8.1 to 8.6 that can be
administered from Network Asst 4. That version is being looked for

The upside is some of the features users like about OS 9.1 were
retrofitted to 8.6. And the layout of 8.6 remains the same as the
current distribution of 9.1. If we resorted to a lower version of the
Mac OS things like time sync, function key shortcuts, and current
carbonlib compatibility would not be available. And troubleshooting
remains the same for 8.6 as 9.1. That isn't something that can be
said for older versions of the Mac OS.

Time sync is what keeps AR working properly when a battery is dying
and keeps knocking the time back to 1956.

Personally, I am very satisfied with what has been done to make 8.6
be what it is. And some of what was learned to make 9.1 faster helped
speed up 8.6 over a standard install. And essential features are
maintained that a standard install wouldn't have. And that won't
happen with any other version of the Mac OS for the 5x series.

So everything that you come to expect and like in Mac OS 9.1 will
still be there but in a package that is 40% faster and more
responsive then 9.1


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Dale Bottrell
Mesa Public Schools
Computer Repair Technician

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