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Author Topic: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App  (Read 9618 times)

MigMac

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Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« on: September 09, 2024, 02:04:31 AM »

Running MacOS9 on MacOSX host (not relevant for Linux or Windows)

You all know SheepShaver, a MacOS8/9 emulator created by Gwenolé Beauchesne who eventually stopped developing it. However, the software is still maintained and updated by a dedicated team at Emaculation: https://www.emaculation.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=20

Sheepshaver has well known limitations: MacOS 9.0.4 is the limit, there’s no way you can install MS Office 98 and a few other apps, unexpected crashes occasionally occur on restart**…those are the main cons !

That being said, when compared to other emulators/VMs it has quite a lot of pros: clipboard and mouse integration (+ live scrolling with appropriate control panels add-ons), shared folder, also you can mount about any disk image (.iso, .img, .dsk…) by simply dropping it onto the OS9 desktop.

**Whereas crashes and freezes often lead to the total corruption of a VM, this is rarely the case with Sheepshaver. You relaunch it and you’re done more often than not

Developer Ed Mendelson (https://mendelson.org/macos9osx.html) has taken Sheepshaver to another level. I’ve been ‘working’ with him for a couple of weeks and his App is now well beyond the Beta phase, definitely a fine tool to enjoy an emulated OS9. Don’t get me wrong, he did 98% of the job, fixing, improving and tuning the app, I was there just for testing and suggesting changes…

On top of providing a standalone App that spares users the Sheepshaver set up tasks, the App comes with a main disk packed with pre-installed apps and lots of interesting options for better integration with the Host. Simply drop a file onto the App icon and it pops up on your OS9 desktop. Within OS9, drop a file into the ‘copy to host’ alias and there you have it on the OSX desktop. With the special OSA Menu you can send a command line to the terminal or open an URL in your default OSX browser. The most interesting add-ons are the virtual printers: instead of using « PrintToPDF », « Adobe PDF Writer » or even better « Jaws PDF Creator » to place a .pdf into the Shared Unix folder and then print it, you can print whatever document you want directly: a command is sent to your OSX default printer.

MacOS9 App details: download link => https://mendelson.org/Mac%20OS%209.zip (about 1,2 Gb)




- Universal App (runs fine on Sonoma)

- RAM set to 1024 Mo

- Main Disk: 3,78 Gb with many pre-installed apps and utilities

- Second Disk: 3,78 Gb. Empty. You can enable it via the option menu. Press the option key when you launch the app.



- Additional Disk: if you need an extra disc (to save huge PDFs, pics or vid files), you can add one. Make an empty image (no partition, the size you need) with Disk Utility, change the extension to .img instead of .dmg then drop it on to the MacOS9 App icon and follow the instructions. You’ll get a dialog from OS9 that will ask you to initialize the new disk. When you’re done, you’ll have your third disk on your OS9 desktop. It will be saved in the App package as AdditionalDisk.dsk.

- Emergency Disk: you can boot from it (option key when launch). It includes several tools: Disk Aid, Disk Warrior, TechTool Pro, Resorcerer. Once in a while it’s good to rebuild the graph of the boot disk with Disk Warrior, the system will run faster and maintenance tasks like rebuilding the desktop become far less time consuming.

- Boot from another disk or Cd-Rom: option key at launch, select the option

- Installers Folder: the main disk has such a folder, it includes all the installers that were used plus a selection of applications which the user might want to install as well (Word Perfect, File Maker, Conflict Catcher, Finder Pop and more…)

- Virtual printers: PDF on the OSX Desktop, direct printing to your default printer, select the printer if you have several printers on your network…those will work whatever your OSX system language is.



As you can see on his page, Ed also built other Apps, I’m currently exploring his System 761 App based on Basilisk: https://mendelson.org/macos9osx.html#basilisk

I’m very pleased with my customized MacOS9 App, it sure can’t be compared to the real thing -i.e. a real Mac and its hardware- but as an emulated environment it’s definitely enjoyable, functional and thanks to some scripted routines, more stable than a standard Sheepshaver VM.


« Last Edit: September 09, 2024, 06:54:22 AM by MigMac »
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Hardware = vintage station: Pismo 400 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (region free) - Pismo 500 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (on both Pismos volumes with MacOS9.2.2, MacOS9.2.1, MacOS 9.0.4)


Emulators: MacOS9 App - Sheepshaver

Bolkonskij

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2024, 05:46:38 AM »

Not being a SheepShaver (or emulation at all) user I still want to thank you for the info. It's great to see there's still a lot of work put into making the emulation experience better and in fact, it's for many people the only "Mac OS 9 experience" they have. (even though that makes many of us shudder :-D )

That said, I'll put a little news item on the mainpage and linking to your thread, MigMac, in hopes that those more interested in the MacOS9 App will find their way here! :)

EDIT: It's done!
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MigMac

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2024, 05:52:03 AM »

Thanks for him (Ed). Yes, any emulated environment can't be as good as the real thing. I had an iMac (G3, Indigo) something like 25 years ago, running MacOS 9.1. The good memories plus this kind of enhanced software will gradually lead me to buy myself a good G4 and dive again into real OS9 in a not so distant future.
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Hardware = vintage station: Pismo 400 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (region free) - Pismo 500 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (on both Pismos volumes with MacOS9.2.2, MacOS9.2.1, MacOS 9.0.4)


Emulators: MacOS9 App - Sheepshaver

MigMac

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2024, 08:14:37 AM »

er... I wanted to edit the first post but I can't  :-[

just a little yet very interesting additional info: with his latest version Edward Mendelson has embedded Crypto Ancienne (Carl and micro_inetd) into the app and pre-configured Classilla

=> you can now surf HTTPS   :)
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Hardware = vintage station: Pismo 400 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (region free) - Pismo 500 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (on both Pismos volumes with MacOS9.2.2, MacOS9.2.1, MacOS 9.0.4)


Emulators: MacOS9 App - Sheepshaver

MigMac

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2024, 05:16:50 PM »

Here's the dl link for what is going to be the final version for a while:
https://mendelson.org/Mac%20OS%209.zip

Note on the proxy and HTTPS surfing: it is enabled when you start the app and disabled on shutdown :)
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Hardware = vintage station: Pismo 400 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (region free) - Pismo 500 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (on both Pismos volumes with MacOS9.2.2, MacOS9.2.1, MacOS 9.0.4)


Emulators: MacOS9 App - Sheepshaver

MigMac

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2024, 12:32:04 AM »

user experience with the app - Surfin'

been customizing the app for the web… quite nice so far

- HTTPS: Classilla
- HTTP: iCab (faster)
- News Groups: MT News Reader
- BBS: two FileClass clients + Captain’s Quarters patched app
- Hotline: Hotline,  Panorama
- Gopher: Turbogopher, Classilla
- FTP: Transmit, Monica
- Radio: patched iTunes (from MacIntosh Garden)
- Weather: Weatherbot

Everything stable, not a single crash or freeze using those

It was a different story with KDX. I get an error message on launch (problem with the router regarding the UPnP protocol), it can connect though and using tracked.stickytack.com I saw there were a few things still alive (servers, users). Unfortunately, it seems quite unstable, Sheepshaver crashed twice. Will have another go and try to solve that config issue which might be the reason for the crashes, idk
« Last Edit: September 21, 2024, 02:57:37 AM by MigMac »
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Hardware = vintage station: Pismo 400 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (region free) - Pismo 500 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (on both Pismos volumes with MacOS9.2.2, MacOS9.2.1, MacOS 9.0.4)


Emulators: MacOS9 App - Sheepshaver

MigMac

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #6 on: September 22, 2024, 11:59:53 PM »

Eventually managed to have KDX working. The thing was to ignore the "configure UPnP" message on first launch (it was set by default in my router settings).

Well, it's not as dead as I thought: several trackers and servers still active there.

I spent a lot of time using KDX many years ago. Nostalgia shock !
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Hardware = vintage station: Pismo 400 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (region free) - Pismo 500 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (on both Pismos volumes with MacOS9.2.2, MacOS9.2.1, MacOS 9.0.4)


Emulators: MacOS9 App - Sheepshaver

Bolkonskij

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #7 on: September 24, 2024, 12:52:18 AM »

Haha! Well, Nostalgia can be such a nice thing in a proper dose ... as we chatted on Hotline the other day, no KDX experience here but I'm nonetheless interested to give it a try. Maybe we should talk about KDX (it's past and present) in another topic. I'm sure there's a bunch of people like me without KDX experience but some interest.

As for MacOS9 App from Ed Mendelson, this seems like the perfect solution for people wanting to experience Mac OS again without the commitment of buying hardware. Like some time ago I was talking to Neil Shapiro (the editor in chief of U.S. MacUser magazine) and he asked me for a simple solution to run MacOS and some Hypercard stacks on his modern Mac. This might be it.
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smilesdavis

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #8 on: September 24, 2024, 03:29:15 AM »

no proper experince if you are not proper comitted
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...

MigMac

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #9 on: September 24, 2024, 04:43:08 AM »

Like some time ago I was talking to Neil Shapiro (the editor in chief of U.S. MacUser magazine) and he asked me for a simple solution to run MacOS and some Hypercard stacks on his modern Mac. This might be it.

then running System761 might be even better: https://mendelson.org/macos9osx.html#basilisk

as it is based on Basilisk, the App is way more stable than MacOS9 App though Edward Mendelson managed to make it more reliable than a standard Sheepshaver VM.

If some developer(s) could improve that infamous restart crash with Sheepshaver (happens quite often) that would be a major improvement. Then the possibility to run versions superior to 9.0.4.

As I said before those occasional crashes and freezes seldom impact the VM. Not with MacOS9 App but with a standard SSVM, it happened to me just once, a crash that ruined the whole setup. Whenever that's possible, I choose the shutdown then start sequence rather than direct restart !!

I also use regular backups just in case, saving what is required: the disk, the VM or the whole app depending on the situation and the level of risk due to my "experiments".

With UTM, you have to save the whole thing all the time, a simple Finder freeze and you're dead, grrrr !
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Hardware = vintage station: Pismo 400 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (region free) - Pismo 500 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (on both Pismos volumes with MacOS9.2.2, MacOS9.2.1, MacOS 9.0.4)


Emulators: MacOS9 App - Sheepshaver

MigMac

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2024, 06:36:16 AM »

Installed Netscape Navigator 3 with Protoweb proxies, nice

https://protoweb.org/
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Hardware = vintage station: Pismo 400 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (region free) - Pismo 500 + 1 FW Drive + 1 FW DVD Writer (on both Pismos volumes with MacOS9.2.2, MacOS9.2.1, MacOS 9.0.4)


Emulators: MacOS9 App - Sheepshaver

emendelson

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #11 on: November 16, 2024, 11:27:38 AM »

For what it's worth, I also wrote a Windows version of this app, with some capabilities that don't exist in standalone SheepShaver for Windows:

https://mendelson.org/macos9win.html
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emendelson

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2025, 03:50:51 PM »

I've updated this app with the latest SheepShaver code, which may make restarts more reliable. If you already have a copy of the app, download the new version of my app and copy SheepShaver.app from the new version into your existing copy, replacing the existing SheepShaver.app.

PS This refers to the macOS version of the app.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2025, 11:51:56 AM by emendelson »
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emendelson

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #13 on: January 25, 2025, 05:08:36 AM »

PS The download link is the same link already in the first post in this thread. And here it is again:

https://mendelson.org/macos9osx.html

« Last Edit: January 25, 2025, 06:24:25 AM by emendelson »
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Bolkonskij

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #14 on: January 26, 2025, 02:34:56 AM »

I'm not using it because I prefer "the real thing" (aka original hardware) but who knows, if I ever  need to run emulation, I'll definitely pick your work first. Thank you for the hours you've put into this!
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davecom

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #15 on: January 26, 2025, 01:00:20 PM »

Thanks for continuing to update this @emendelson. I just installed the latest version. It's a great service to the community.

My dream setup would be to have the hard drive permanently disconnected from the app (so the drive is not in the App bundle) so that we could upgrade the app without having to first export our files and re-import them. Also, as a point of feedback exporting to the Desktop is a bit cumbersome for those of us with iCloud Drive because it starts uploading our whole drive to the cloud. It may be better to export to the User's Home directory or even Downloads folder to avoid this issue.
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emendelson

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #16 on: January 26, 2025, 02:25:22 PM »

My dream setup would be to have the hard drive permanently disconnected from the app (so the drive is not in the App bundle) so that we could upgrade the app without having to first export our files and re-import them. Also, as a point of feedback exporting to the Desktop is a bit cumbersome for those of us with iCloud Drive because it starts uploading our whole drive to the cloud. It may be better to export to the User's Home directory or even Downloads folder to avoid this issue.

Thank you for this - and you raise two very good points...

First: I've thought of moving the disk image to the user's Application Support folder on first launch, but I haven't got around to it. I'll experiment with it - and it would have the benefit of making it possible to share the app on a multi-user system, though I doubt that many people are using multi-user systems. The one disadvantage would be that the first launch would be very slow while the disk is getting copied (or extracted from a ZIP archive) from the app to the user's Library.

Second, I don't use iCloud Drive, so I haven't come across that second problem. It shouldn't be hard to  add an option to export to a different folder. I'm not at a Mac right now, so I can't check it, and it's been years since I wrote the AppleScript, but my guess is that you should be able to edit the launch-daemon AppleScript inside the bundle (it may have a name like macos9folder.scpt or something similar) and change it to use the Home or Downloads folder instead of the desktop. I'll look into this later and report. It shouldn't be hard to make it an option.
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emendelson

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #17 on: January 26, 2025, 06:31:30 PM »

And I got intrigued by this, and implemented the option that lets you choose the target for the "Copy to Host" feature; it can be the desktop, the Downloads folder, or the home folder. New version available now. Same download link as above.

Will now put some thought into storing the disk image in the Application Support folder.
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davecom

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #18 on: January 26, 2025, 10:49:29 PM »

Thanks this is awesome. I appreciate your work and how open you are to feedback. I'm sure you're helping a lot of people run legacy software they need for their work and doing a great service to society with your project. Cheers.
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emendelson

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Re: Sheepshaver enhanced = MacOS9 App
« Reply #19 on: January 27, 2025, 06:31:38 AM »

I wanted to avoid real work, so I rewrote the app so that it stores the disk images in the user's library instead of in the app itself. It's experimental, so please don't delete your existing setup. Also, backup your folder

~/Library/Application Support/MacOS9

before doing anything, as the new version will probably overwrite anything that's there.

The download is here:

https://mendelson.org/Mac OS 9 New.zip

Please let me know of any problems.

EDIT: I'm still working on this, because the Options menu is now far too long. But the basic operations are in the current download. I'll replace it with an improved Options menu later on.
« Last Edit: January 27, 2025, 09:21:26 AM by emendelson »
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