Mac OS 9 Lives
General => News, Information & Feedback => Topic started by: Knezzen on April 28, 2024, 07:38:56 AM
-
Bolkonskij is helping me with a forum theme and new webpage that houses both the old content and adds lots of space for new stuff. The idea is to make it THE place to link to if somebody asks "What's Mac OS 9"? and "What can I do with it in 2024?".
Since I want the info to be top-notch and from folks who know what they're talking about, I'm looking for people who would like contribute information, guides and how-to's in whatever segments that are relevant to Mac OS 9. If you've written good content that are buried in the forum structure, now is the time to dig it out :)
The new site and forum theme will of course be retro compatible (the aim is Classilla and iCab 3) and it will be more light weight than the current forum theme. The current forum theme will of course still be available for those who want to stick with what we have now, so nothing will change if you don't want it to.
The idea, aesthetically, is to capture the Apple and Mac OS 9 spirit from the turn of the century and bring in some new features for everyone to enjoy ;)
Right now we're looking for contributions in the following categories:
- DAW & music
- Games
- Drivers
- Utilities
- Writing & Calc
- Video Editing
- Emulators on OS9
Know of a thread from the forum that should be posted as a tutorial on the new website? Please post it below! :)
If all of this sounds interesting and you want to contribute new and unpublished content, reach out to me through PM, email or right here in this thread!
-
Visual sample / example of just what this new forum theme / webpage might look like? ;)
-
Visual sample / example of just what this new forum theme / webpage might look like? ;)
Sure! I bet Bolkonskij will chime in as soon as he wakes up from whatever he's doing. And as I mentioned above, the new forum look is optional, Fury ;)
-
Visual sample / example of just what this new forum theme / webpage might look like? ;)
Sure! I bet Bolkonskij will chime in as soon as he wakes up from whatever he's doing. And as I mentioned above, the new forum look is optional, Fury ;)
This it?
(http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7086.0;attach=13912;image)
-
This it?
Haha, yes. That's the current work in progress. Cool that you found it :)
See it as work in progress. The logo is not the final one. Any input is greatly appreciated.
-
The logo is not the final one.
it is already much better than the very first one from this theme, which kind of caused eye cancer. :P
overall the new theme works well.
-
Thumbs Up !!
* Like *
etc.
-
I'm using this theme for now, really liking it so far! I particularly enjoy the "System Folder" icon for unread sections and sub-forums as opposed to regular folder icons, that approach really clicks well!
If the logo isn't final, maybe it will get an MDD upgrade? ;)
-
One of the spoils of having three kids in kindergarden / school is that you get free home delivery of whatever this season's virus is. So after the kids were down with 40 C (100F) fever I got a nice bronchitis too, hence my late reply. Sorry!
Well, the surprise is gone :-) I nonetheless want to add a few thoughts. Knezzen approached me asking to code a light theme to add to the forum (as opposed to the original darker theme we already have), so users will have a choice. Then he asked me to have the same for the website and then make both look like one (the man's wishlist never ends :D)
The design is actually Apple's from the early 2000's, so not really much creativity on my part. Kudos to the nameless Apple webdesigner! My challenge was rather to write a theme and website that will look & feel like "one", as Mr. Knezzen would put it :-)
I'm trying my best to keep requirements for both forum theme and website low - Classilla is my target and any machine Classilla runs on should be able to handle it Because if the new software no longer runs on the old hardware, it is worse than the old software :-)
Anyway, since you're already dabbling with the forum theme, I'm attaching a few more screenshots from the website. All taken with Classilla on OS 9 at 1024x768, the basic requirement.
First and foremost, there'll be a news section on the front page. Less intended as a "breaking news" but rather as an archive of news for those returning / semi-following developments. And of course it's a great way to show how much life there is still left in OS 9 to outsiders!
There's sections on application-specific stuff, from games to spreadsheets, which should give newbies and returning OS 9 users a good starting point. Might be useful to either link to some tutorials here in the forum or even placing them on the website.
I think this is the part that Knezzen needs your help - I'm helping with the web dev stuff but I really suck at writing English (not my native language) and won't be much help writing guides and stuff.
Coughing and out ...
Note: I stopped at 90% due to getting sick, so there's definitely inaccuracies in margins and (quite obvious) in font colors and stuff. This will get fixed.
-
It looks great, nice work!! Also works much better in IE5 than the current theme.
Get well soon Bolkonskij!
-
First and foremost, there'll be a news section on the front page. Less intended as a "breaking news" but rather as an archive of news for those returning / semi-following developments. And of course it's a great way to show how much life there is still left in OS 9 to outsiders!
I love this part particularly!
"ChatGPT becomes available to Mac OS 9 before iOS"
"Like Torrents? MacTorrent just released"
Etc.
All the other parts are also great! Not just the sections themselves, but also the content already in some of them. "There is no class in 'Classic'!" :) Native booting FTW!
I just bought and got a 17" DELL CRT monitor, too, and the resolution I'm using is precisely 1024x768, @75Hz, and the new website theme just looks stunning. Higher resolutions are also fine!
Incredible job, a lot of work clearly went/is going into this.
Get better soon, @Bolkonskij! (Maybe you can have some propolis, I source my own straight from bee keepers, which will always beat anything with a bar code on it.)
-
Know of a thread from the forum that should be posted as a tutorial on the new website? Please post it below! :)
- disassembling PPC hardware
- optical upgrade options
- mass storage upgrade options
- silent fan upgrades
- GPU upgrade options
- CPU upgrade options
- MacOS9 system components upgrades (ATI, QT...)
- overview over programming languages
- filesharing and desktop remote options between OS9 and OS9, OSX PPC, intel, ARM, windows, linux
- the netboot project
- installing a complete protools system
- audio plug-in developement
- how to use a disassembler
- general OS9 / general hardware operations tutorial for beginners
- repairing PSUs
- bluebox, classic, emulators,
- attaching HFS+ in windows, linux, 10.15 - sonoma
- using OS9 on unsupported hardware (older as well as newer)
- everything about our mini OS
- mini specific upgrade options
- file handling for beginners (sit, zip, iso, toast, what is a resource fork, t/c, bndl/desktopdb)
- virtual PC & co, nostalgia
- a guide to open firmware
- display calibration
- multi monitor setup options
- everything about PCI breakout boxes
- apps that use dual processing and the dual processing extension
- OS9 cluster computing
- SSH, telnet options
- http, ftp and youtube options
- preserving software authoriations with the ASR method
- formatting options in OS9, 10.4 and 10.5, differences between O9 disk formatter versions
- backup and archival strategies, automatic backup and sychronisation software
- mini hardware - breeding and care (there´s already guides about thermal paste and others)
- scanner, printer, plotter, cutter, touch display, wacom etc options
-
Many many things etc...
With links! ;)
-
- using OS9 on unsupported hardware (older as well as newer)
I'm not sure if it's necessary but if I'd be happy to write a condensed guide for installing Mac OS 9 on unsupported PowerBook G4s if needed?
-
Know of a thread from the forum that should be posted as a tutorial on the new website? Please post it below! :)
- display calibration
LOL. I think I'm the only one here who does it on a regular basis.
I wrote about it in the past here:
http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?topic=4726
and here
http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?topic=6582.msg49764#msg49764
and here
http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?topic=3481.msg50307#msg50307
and here recently
http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?topic=7061
Not much of an interest, I have to say.
P.S. All the displays that I tested in Mini display oddities thread were calibrated too.
P.P.S. I have a feeling that all the newcomer user base is mostly interested in getting cheap G3/G4, slapping OS9 onto it, playing a retro game or two and then putting the machine back in the corner. All the tutorials will be "für die Katz".
-
I'm not sure if it's necessary but if I'd be happy to write a condensed guide for installing Mac OS 9 on unsupported PowerBook G4s if needed?
Sounds like a wonderful idea! Would be a great addition to the site! :)
Things
Do you feel like condensing everything down to an article about calibration that we can publish on the new website? :)
-
I have a feeling that all the newcomer user base is mostly interested in getting cheap G3/G4, slapping OS9 onto it, playing a retro game or two and then putting the machine back in the corner.
Well to be fair, os9 as daily driver in 2024 isnt really an option
We would profit if we enter a mindset where its just a hobby rather
Than for professional use
-
Well to be fair, os9 as daily driver in 2024 isnt really an option
We would profit if we enter a mindset where its just a hobby rather
Than for professional use
Well, let's not jump to conclusions and dismiss use cases. I for one use my TiBook every day and more often than my MacBook Air M1. In the studio my MDD is king and I make my music with Logic 6 and Pro Tools TDM 5.1.3. Using Mac OS 9 for professional and daily use in 2024 is viable, but I think we need to highlight how one would do "modern stuff" in Mac OS 9.
-
LOL. I think I'm the only one here who does it on a regular basis.
some things are listed because they are essential, others are optional, and then there are things which i only included because somebody wrote such a post already. :)
btw, often the überspecialist for topic XYZ himself is not the best candidate to write a good, short but complete explanation for newbies and the general public.
so everyone who is good in writing structured texts is asked to join and write something - you do not need to be the hacker, theorist or user who knows about things yourself, rather you can do it together with such a person..
an article about calibration for eaxmple would start with explaining what it is, when a software is mentioned the software should indirectly be linked, i personally would enjoy if we can agree upon a fixed picture size and so on.
several of our topics do include assumptions or open questions because the things are a work in progress, that should also be correctly reflected.
-
Well to be fair, os9 as daily driver in 2024 isnt really an option
We would profit if we enter a mindset where its just a hobby rather
Than for professional use
I also have to strongly disagree! My 9-machines are still my main computers, and wouldn´t we have this ugly TLS-situation I would never boot into Linux at all.
So, no; "hobby" is the opposite of what I use Mac OS 9 for, and I would apreciate if people would benevolently respect that there are still others around who do not do any hobby or retro or just-for-fun with Mac OS 9. Of course I know that my situation (no smartphones around, no interrest in any "social"-media at all, etc.) is very special, and a small minority is acting like me. But we are in existance, and we have very good reasons.
-
- display calibration
LOL. I think I'm the only one here who does it on a regular basis.
(…)
All the tutorials will be "für die Katz".
I have an Quato/X-rite around (selected to be able to calibrate all Mac OS 9/10.4.11/Linux computers I have contact with). Sadly I never found time to get into this entire calibration/colour management field. But the Eizo FlexScan SX2461W and especially my LaCie Electron 22 Blue IV are waiting for a calibrated future that will come one day. So be sure I highly appreciate your postings and nothing is "für die Katz"! ;)
-
I have a feeling that all the newcomer user base is mostly interested in getting cheap G3/G4, slapping OS9 onto it, playing a retro game or two and then putting the machine back in the corner.
Well to be fair, os9 as daily driver in 2024 isnt really an option
We would profit if we enter a mindset where its just a hobby rather
Than for professional use
Some disagree, but in my case, I don't just disagree: I think the opposite is true.
I think in 2024+, any (near any) Intel/AMD/ARM machine is not only not an option, but also a detriment when used, thanks to various famous hardware-level backdoors (IME, AMD PSP etc.), on top of various purposeful flaws that only get worse with time (soldered SSD and soldered RAM, for example). The most important things we daily do in life don't require a computer at all (and if they do, then something is wrong), but for the few things that a computer really helps us with, you will want decent hardware (PPC, 68k etc.). All versions of Mac OS (not Mac OS X) can run only on such hardware.
There is nothing I want to do that requires me to have any other system, not even the TLS issue @Mat alluded to. GNU/Linux also has a lot of issues, and is far more compromised than is commonly acknowledged, especially in the past 15+ years. All OSes are imperfect at best, of course, but I get all I want or need from an OS with Mac OS 9, be it today or tomorrow. Simply.
For "modern" systems, I think they are (sort of) fine if strictly forever used as an airgap device (no peripherals connected to it connect anywhere else, also obviously no Ethernet, WiFi, BlueTooth etc.). This is actually true for any computerized device to be perfectly honest, but is especially applicable to "modern" stuff, all of which are 100% unacceptable in every regard. Although I think almost no one using "modern" systems (or old systems that were compromised by design, such as any version of Windows starting at least with 95 OSR) is doing that.
In short: I refuse to endorse in any capacity any hardware or software that is flawed by design. Simultaneously, Mac OS 9 is one incredibly useful OS that runs properly on such great devices.
-
There is nothing I want to do that requires me to have any other system, not even the TLS issue @Mat alluded to.
May I highjack the thread even a little bit more, and ask how you handle the Email usage?
-
May I highjack the thread even a little bit more, and ask how you handle the Email usage?
STunnel running on a Linux or OSX machine working as a TLS middle man is what solves it :)
-
Some disagree, but in my case, I don't just disagree: I think the opposite is true.
what a phantom discussion. :)
he might be right about the majority of humans and their current practice, and even about the majority of random visitors and what they do, and obviously about his own approach.
but what counts here is what the active members do - and many in this group use at least one OS9 workstation for whatever professional / ambitious task.
those who do the work decide what and how it is done - old, unavoidable rule in any group i know, from political parties and companies to lose online groups.
-
Well, I wanted to get enlightened about especially this conflicting facts:
running on a Linux or OSX machine
vs.
There is nothing (…) that requires me to have any other system, not even the TLS issue
;)
-
what a phantom discussion. :)
exactly!
(continues clean his newly acquired SE -afro-)
-
Well, I wanted to get enlightened about especially this conflicting facts:
running on a Linux or OSX machine
vs.
There is nothing (…) that requires me to have any other system, not even the TLS issue
;)
Mat I have done this before (https://mac-classic.com/articles/setting-up-modern-email-for-early-mac-os-8-0-9-2-2/) using SMTP2Go (https://www.smtp2go.com/) which works nicely, and was relatively easy to set up. It just requires you to purchase a domain name
-
Well, I wanted to get enlightened about especially this conflicting facts:
running on a Linux or OSX machine
vs.
There is nothing (…) that requires me to have any other system, not even the TLS issue
They are two solutions. Jubadub is talking about using Cameron Kaisers Crypto Ancienne library with it's built in HTTPS to HTTP proxy application carl on MachTen on Mac OS 9.2.2 instead of running it on a separate Linux or Unix machine. I'm talking about STunnel for "bridging" TLS/SSL mail servers to email clients with no TLS/SSL support (like anything other than the Classilla email client on Mac OS 9). I have never tried to build STunnel on MachTen, so I don't know if it will run in that environment.
So not conflicting, but two separate things ;)
-
Speaking of tutorials.. Here's another one that describes trick not mentioned anywhere else on the web:
http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?topic=6742
-
Speaking of tutorials.. Here's another one that describes trick not mentioned anywhere else on the web:
http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?topic=6742
Good one! :D
-
So, does anyone feel like writing some condensed articles based on the threads posted here? Would greatly appreciate the help! :)
-
I like the new Layout of the page....
as someone who has been in the branding game for over 20years can we keep with the apple branding? It'll look pretty clean...
-
I like the new Layout of the page....
as someone who has been in the branding game for over 20years can we keep with the apple branding? It'll look pretty clean...
This is so beautiful and professional, thank you for making this! :)
Is it fine if I voice a few nitpicks, though? I think the "Lives" bit aesthetically looks great, but also it is a "fading away" grey color, as if the "lives" bit is actually "dying out", and no emphasis on it, although it should be an exclamation, like the expression "It's alive!!! It LIVES!!!". Is it just me? Maybe some other hue, or color, or pattern of colors, would work better?
Would it also be possible to add a space between "Mac" and "OS"? Apple themselves stylize it that way (http://macintoshgarden.org/sites/macintoshgarden.org/files/screenshots/macos-922-uni-03.jpg).
But wow, seeing a pro of this field at work, it's really another level of polish entirely. :) I generally have no eyes for this level of work.
-
Nice one! Is it alright if I borrow it and put it on the page? :)
As I mentioned above, the current logo for the new theme is a work in progress and focus has shifted somewhat.
-
jubadub good suggestions thanks! ... & knezzen of coarse that's why I put it up let me know if you'd like anything specific..
-
bolder "lives!" adding colours etc it looses the Simple look & takes away from the orange 9...
-
@hoovers@dawn Awesome!!! :) These are all so much better!
If I was told to choose just 1, I think my favorite one is "Artboard 4.png". Following a "less is more" point-of-view, which I think is also an old, usual way of doing things by Apple, it has everything just absolutely right. Everything in the logo counts: the size, the color, the spacing, the sizing, the emphasis in the end, the lack of emphasis in the beginning with the grey color... The transition of color upon reading it (from grey to black) even suggests a resurrection, or a return! A comeback! It's great!
"Artboard 2.png" is also excellent, hitting a few "different spots", and had me torn between it and "Artboard 4.png". In the end, I think I slightly prefer the latter, because thanks to the grey-to-black color transition in the font, the "..." becomes less needed, all "pause" is simulated (although more moderately) with the color transition. I like the extra impact of two exclamation marks in the end, too, but I also feel a single exclamation mark also does the job, but in a more lean or "long-lasting" manner, when thinking about multiple visits and revisits to the website.
I guess one thing going for "Artboard 2.png" though is that it more strongly communicates this feeling of surprise, via an exclamation of the unexpected, thus better referencing the likes of "it's ALIVE! It LIVES!!" Frankenstein-esque quotes. This is such a tough pick!
TL;DR I prefer "Artboard 4.png" above all the others, but "Artboard 2.png" (which is right now in use) also works great, and nonetheless I leave it to the admins / everyone else to decide. :)
-
That really looks amazing !
A huge upgrade... remember, I had to for all the graphics for the domain and the forum in about 3 days, so it was very rushed :(
Nice to see it look so cool.
-
Very cool job @ hoovers@dawn! it enhances the design significantly - great skill in font / colour selection. I love the version up there right now. Any chance to optimize it further in terms of file size for faster loading times ? Classilla reports it has 25.65 KB. Which is few already. But if you're on a 400 Mhz iMac G3 every single kb saved counts :)
-
Any chance to optimize it further in terms of file size for faster loading times ? Classilla reports it has 25.65 KB. Which is few already. But if you're on a 400 Mhz iMac G3 every single kb saved counts :)
I cropped it and put it up there. I can fix it some more when I get home ;)
-
the current one with the dual exclamation mark is perfect, and perfection is the moment you should stop editing stuff.
though... the right side has been cropped a bit too much. ;)
-
hoovers@dawn: I like the new logo a lot, but I feel like it would be even better if it was more "alive". Abstract, I know, but an idea is to use another font for "Lives..!!" and make it more "fun". Thinking of the Tinker Different logo (https://tinkerdifferent.com/).
Just a thought :)
-
hoovers@dawn: I like the new logo a lot, but I feel like it would be even better if it was more "alive". Abstract, I know, but an idea is to use another font for "Lives..!!" and make it more "fun". Thinking of the Tinker Different logo (https://tinkerdifferent.com/).
Just a thought :)
yeah sure that I see what you mean, I'll have a play with it....
-
never change a running logo! :)
the only thing i could imagine is that the i-dot could jump around across the "Lives" (so the right third will be a gif animation.)
-
never change a running logo! :)
the only thing i could imagine is that the i-dot could jump around across the "Lives" (so the right third will be a gif animation.)
Mark your calendars! I agree with IIO. Make the i-dot jump, move or perhaps even a spinning beach ball.
(If ya really wanna go for cheesy.) K.I.S.S.
Und now we enter the area of overall design aesthetics! (And “period-correct” relational branding.)
The Tinker Different logo is a bit of a throwback to the earlier Apple “Rainbow” logo (before the later B&W G3’s and the G4’s). And yes opinion-wise, I always liked the old rainbow logo and it took some time to accept the newer “seemingly bland” solid concept(s). BUT OS 9 really came into it’s own under Mac G4’s. Thus, perhaps less “fun” and maybe just a tad bit more seriously designed?
(http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7086.0;attach=14013;image) A joke, right?
Apple left the “carnival” colors behind, back in 1998 and went with a more simple, sleek and perhaps understated, sublime design approach.
(http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7086.0;attach=14015;image)
Understand the nostalgia and desire to hold onto the past - but there was a deliberate transition to move away from that old rainbow logo beginning with Mac OS 8.5. Besides OS 9 is after all, an Operating System. (It is not System 7.)
Mac OS 9 initial release: October 23, 1999
(http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7086.0;attach=14017;image)
-
never change a running logo! :)
the only thing i could imagine is that the i-dot could jump around across the "Lives" (so the right third will be a gif animation.)
Mark your calendars! I agree with IIO. Make the i-dot jump, move or perhaps even a spinning beach ball.
(If ya really wanna go for cheesy.) K.I.S.S.
Und now we enter the area of overall design aesthetics! (And “period-correct” relational branding.)
The Tinker Different logo is a bit of a throwback to the earlier Apple “Rainbow” logo (before the later B&W G3’s and the G4’s). And yes opinion-wise, I always liked the old rainbow logo and it took some time to accept the newer “seemingly bland” solid concept(s). BUT OS 9 really came into it’s own under Mac G4’s. Thus, perhaps less “fun” and maybe just a tad bit more seriously designed?
(http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7086.0;attach=14013;image) A joke, right?
Apple left the “carnival” colors behind, back in 1998 and went with a more simple, sleek and perhaps understated, sublime design approach.
(http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7086.0;attach=14015;image)
Understand the nostalgia and desire to hold onto the past - but there was a deliberate transition to move away from that old rainbow logo beginning with Mac OS 8.5. Besides OS 9 is after all, an Operating System. (It is not System 7.)
Mac OS 9 initial release: October 23, 1999
(http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7086.0;attach=14017;image)
well said... I agree.
that clown from Jony Ive's nightmare pretty much nailed it.... tying the classy to fun just doesn't work & trying bitmap fonts & other funky styles just clashes with the original design intent.
(http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7086.0;attach=14013;image)
-
Well, it's not really a running logo, more of a very public work in progress I'd say. The new site isn't even launched yet and the new forum template is more in the "public preview" era if anything else.
I do love the second one a lot! Let's give it a go ;)
-
and if I did what you'd asked....
(http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7086.0;attach=14021;image)
-
Was that "9" always so crunchy?
-
and if I did what you'd asked....
(http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7086.0;attach=14021;image)
Really loves the pixelated rainbow Lives!
And bonus points for the outrun extra 🤣
-
The Tinker Different logo is a bit of a throwback to the earlier Apple “Rainbow” logo (before the later B&W G3’s and the G4’s).
Also, I don't remember Apple deliberately using anything pixelated. After all, they were at the forefront of desktop publishing. PostScript and all that stuff. Everything smooth, everything stylish, everything as high-rez as possible. 4 bit color palette and pixels belong more to the game console world.
Thus, perhaps less “fun” and maybe just a tad bit more seriously designed?
Hear, hear!
Really loves the pixelated rainbow Lives!
Steve Jobs voice from above: "You're fired!" ;D ;D ;D
-
I love all of these! :D Both the "proper" ones as well as the joking ones! This is great!
About the fact that Apple stopped putting the "rainbow" (6-color rather than actual rainbow 7 colors) in the logo in Mac OS boxes since 8.5, that's a good point, but simultaneously, let's not forget the Apple Menu Icon in the actual OS, all the way up to 9.2.2, is still the same usual "rainbow" color. The "rainbow" finally disappeared for good only with Mac OS X.
-
Alright then. Let's keep the one we have now and move on.
Thanks again for your hard work, hoovers@dawn! :)
-
I just confirmed that you can create a document with Microsoft Word 1998 on OS 9, complete with annotations, review-comments and tracked changes -- and then import that exact document to a modern Windows 10 machine and preserve all that extra metadata with Word 2021. Basically, Microsoft have maintained the copyeditor's workflow for over 20 years, which is extremely cool.
Additionally, I wrote a little article the other day explaining how to work around a quirk I found while trying to print an AppleWorks document -- http://dressupgeekout.com/classic-macos/printing/
These little tidbits sound like the kind of information which the "Writing & Calculations" section of the website is looking for -- http://macos9lives.com/writing-calc -- and that page directed me to this thread, which is why I'm here. I guess I'm announcing that I'm willing to perform even more compatibility tests like this, and otherwise help out.
-
These little tidbits sound like the kind of information which the "Writing & Calculations" section of the website is looking for -- http://macos9lives.com/writing-calc -- and that page directed me to this thread, which is why I'm here. I guess I'm announcing that I'm willing to perform even more compatibility tests like this, and otherwise help out.
Yes!! Write a text and send it to me in an email and I'll put it up there. Thank you so much for expressing a will contribute :)