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[Syntho]

After using OS9 for a while I realize that OS9 isn't much of a multitasking operating system. An example of this can be when I'm transferring a large file via FTP and I click on another application, the FTP download stops until I click the FTP window again. Another is that I can be burning a CD while  listening to iTunes, and iTunes won't go through the rest of its playlist until the CD is done burning.

Can someone elaborate on this?

[supernova777]

this was just how it was back then.. i remember how happy i was when i got my first intel core 2 duo cpu.
i was like wow.. this is what dual processors was always trying to be like...but failing at it.
the first wave of dual processors was shit. (ie: dual mdd is where it started?)
it never really pulled off 100% what they were trying to do.. imho.
mostly because of the os.
what u are talking about *IS* the reason they canned os9 and moved on to OSX
100% the reason why.
because os9 just doesnt have the parts to do multiple things at the same time
protected memory etc
back in the days of os 9 u did one thing at a time and went for a smoke break and waited untill it was done or switched to another computer till the task was done

i remember waiting for 3d apps to render + photoshop files to save .. photoshop plugin rendering .. lol

[Protools5LEGuy]

After using OS9 for a while I realize that OS9 isn't much of a multitasking operating system.
...
Can someone elaborate on this?

OS9 seems to pass on the number of processor (same as Protools 5...), but to me seems to make multitasks someway. But better with less tasks ...  .Seriously, the less apps opened at the same time, the better it works...Minimal extensions...Minimal control panels... And only one app opened, yes. Your DAW (Logic,PT, DP, Cubase...) only
 
When various apps opened(classilla, PT, Word) the "front" app seems to take 75% of the machines, at least it seems to me that on my machines.
It is really quick to change between apps in OS9 using Apple+Tab. I would love to see changing between apps using SSD or DOM.

Finder is not radically quicker on my DA GHz dual vs my G3 B&W 450...

It is Apps that had to be aware of the number of processors. In OS9 Logic was aware of having one or two processors but diehard users told me that 2 processor users didn't have more DSP power, just better redraws on screen and midi stability...
Protools simply did not care. Avid though : Why you all buy dual computers?      Buy TDM, Magma chassis and Farm Cards!

[Syntho]

Let me be a little more clear: if I have an FTP program open, then I minimize it, even if it's the ONLY program open, the file won't transfer until I bring it to the foreground again. Surely there's enough CPU power for that. Some programs do this, some don't. All of my audio software works fine (including iTunes), but Toast and Fetch seem to bring things to a halt if they're not at the foreground.

I think this is less of a multi processor issue and more of 'background process' thing. I don't ever remember Windows doing this, even way back in Windows 3.1 and onward.

[supernova777]

which ftp app are u using syntho?
fetch?

[Syntho]

Yeah, Fetch. A few other apps do the same thing. Since some don't give this issue, I'm thinking it's a matter of coding. I'd like to think that coders would take care of stuff like this, but I'm guessing not.

[Protools5LEGuy]

Multitasking? Who cares? 

We are using 1 task: DAW. And making that task our PowerPCs are better than other "multitasking" machines...

I work better when my hands, my eyes and my brain are in 1 task. OS9 too, I can't blame Apple...

I feel multitasking on Classilla when using multiple tabs...And having 4-5 downloads at the same time seems quicker than making one after another...

When OS9 boots on my machines it open at startup VNC (and the text-edit-os9-thing for the log report), protools 5, and a CPU meter from  the quadras blog to meter OS9. Having that and the system performace windows opened really monitors OS9/DAW. 
 To me those tasks do not "eat" cpu power/resources, and let me make Apple+Tab to switch between them quickly, but..
I do not dare to make Apple+Tab while PT is consolidating audio or Logic is writing the Audio overviews, for example...

[twokayprod]

Since I bought one of those Duals back when it was new - according to Chris' chart the most expensive of them all - I can share some experience. I never had the feeling it'd work better or faster on anything except for my DAW (Cubase at the time). With the advanced multiprocessing checkbox clicked, it felt better, more stable and fluent if there was a lot going on in the project, especially audio and MIDI stuff happening at the same time. No matter how many tracks there were, I was never able to force this machine to its knees. I don't know if this was worth the bigger pricetag, but at least it felt incredible