Q: What's in System 7.0?
A: Although the complete
feature set of System 7.0 will not be
announced until later this year, the following
projects will be a part
of the release:
- Virtual Memory/32-Bit Addressing
- IAC Architecture
- Outline fonts
- New Print Architecture
- Layout Manager
- Database Access Manager
- Finder 7.0
In addition, System 7.0 will integrate 32-Bit
QuickDraw (introduced in
April) and the Communications Toolbox [shipping
in third quarter]).
Apple is also discussing with developers other
projects currently under
development:
- Sound Manager Enhancements
- File System Enhancements
- International Text Support
- Installer 3.0
The complete feature set of System 7.0 will
be announced later this
year.
Q: When will System 7.0
be made available to customers?
A: Apple will announce
customer availability this year.
Q: What Macintosh computers
will be able to run System 7.0?
A: System 7.0 is being designed
to run on all Macintosh Plus, SE, SE/30, II,
IIcx and IIx computers.System 7.0 will require
two megabytes of RAM. The 68030-equipped Macintosh
computers and Macintosh II computers with PMMU
will have the additional benefit of Virtual
Memory.
Q: Apple says that eventually
all Macintosh computers will run System 7.0.
Does that mean that all Macintosh computers
will eventually be shipped with two megabytes
of RAM?
A: Not necessarily. Apple
is exploring various configurations of RAM,
ROM, processor and hard disk that will support
System 7.0. The total amount of memory that
a Macintosh uses for system software is a combination
of RAM and ROM. In general, when more software
is put into ROM, a Macintosh requires less
RAM. In addition, for Macintosh computers with
PMMUs, the hard disk can be used to extend
RAM with virtual memory. These technologies
provide for many alternative configurations
in the future.
Q: What are Apple's plans
for System 7.0?
A: Apple will move the entire
Macintosh product line to System 7.0. During
this transition, Apple will offer both the
System 6.0 series and System 7.0 CPU configurations.
Q: How many current applications
will be compatible with System 7.0?
A: Application software
that conforms to the Inside Macintosh guidelines
will be compatible with System 7.0. As System
7.0 is still in development, it is impossible
to determine which applications will be 100
percent compatible. When System 7.0 ships,
Apple plans to make a compatibility report
publicly available.
Q: What should customers
do to prepare for System 7.0?
A: There is nothing that
users need to do now. In making new purchase
decisions, customers should buy the Macintosh
configuration that suits their current needs.
Users and businesses that need to make long
range decisions now may want to purchase machines
with two megabytes or more of RAM today.
Q: Isn't Apple now putting
Macintosh users through an OS/2 experience?
A: Absolutely not. System
7.0 is an extension of today's Macintosh system
software. Apple is designing System 7.0 to
provide for upwardly compatible applications
which is a fundamental part of the Macintosh
System Software strategy. System 7.0 will allow
developers to create even more innovative Macintosh
software and hardware that extends the power
of today's Macintosh.
Q: Does Apple have plans
to add new capabilities to the System 6.0
series?
A: No. Users of the System
6.0 series can continue to use their systems.
The upgrade path for System 6.0 series users
is System 7.0
with more RAM.
Q: Why not?
A: Apple believes in providing
consistency across our products for our users
and developers. This consistency can only be
achieved by focusing on one system software
platform. That platform is System 7.0.
Q: Does this mean all users
need to upgrade to System 7.0?
A: No. Users can continue
to use the System 6.0 series and their current
applications. System 7.0 and new applications
software will provide many new capabilities
that many users will want. System 7.0 offers
users an opportunity to add more functionality
to the Macintosh computers they own today.
Q: Why is Apple talking
about System 7.0?
A: Apple is informing the
press to explain what we're working on in our
labs, why we've chosen the paths that we have
and how these technologies will affect users
and developers. Apple is discussing with developers
the core technologies under development for
inclusion with the next major Macintosh system
software release, System 7.0.
Q: Is Apple announcing System
7.0?
A: No. Apple is making a
directional statement to third-party developers
about new technologies that will be included
in a future version of Macintosh system software.
Apple's goal in talking about System 7.0 is
to shorten the amount of time necessary to
bring a new generation of powerful application
software to Macintosh users.
© june, 1989 by Len
Massaro
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