In 1984, Apple Computer introduced the Apple Macintosh personal computer. The first version was the Macintosh 128K model which came bundled with the Mac OS operating system then known as the “System Software”. The Mac is often credited with popularizing
the graphical user interface (GUI).
The Mac OS has been pre-installed on almost every Macintosh computer ever sold. The operating system is also sold separately from the computer just as with Microsoft Windows. The original Mac OS
was heavily based on the Lisa OS previously released by Apple for the Lisa computer in 1983. It also used concepts from other operating systems previewed by Apple executives.
In 1984, Apple partnered with Microsoft in an agreement that would have Microsoft creating versions of Word and Excel for the Mac OS. For the majority of the 1980’s, the Mac OS lacked a large amount of compatible software, however, the introduction of System 7 saw more software becoming available for the platform.
System 6 was the first major revision of the operating system, although the Mac OS kernel was kept the same from the System 7 revision until Mac OS 9.
The Macintosh project started in early 1979 with Jeff Raskin who envisioned an easy-to-use low-cost computer for the average consumer. In September of ’79, Raskin was given permission to start hiring for the project.
In January of 1981, Steve Jobs completely took over the Macintosh project. Jobs and a number of Apple engineers visited Xerox PARC in December of 1979 which was three months after the Lisa and Macintosh project had begun.
After hearing about the pioneering GUI technology being developed at Xerox PARC from former employees like Raskin, Jobs negotiated a visit to see the Xerox Alto computer and Smalltalk development tools in exchange for stock options. This was probably one of the best business moves Jobs had ever made.
The final Lisa and Macintosh operating systems used concepts from the Xerox Alto, but many elements of the GUI were creating by Apple including a menu bar and pop-up menus. Specifically, the click and drag concept was developed by Jeff Raskin.
Unlike the IBM PC which used 8 KB of system ROM for power-on self test and basic input/output chores, the Mac ROM was significantly larger at 64 KB and held key OS code. Andy Hertzfeld was responsible for most of the original coding. He was able to conserve some of the ROM space by interweaving some of the assembly language code.
In addition to coding the ROM, he also coded the kernel, the Macintosh Toolbox, and some of the desktop accessories as well. The icons of the operating system which represented folders and application software were designed by Susan Kare who later designed the icons for Microsoft Windows 3.0.
the graphical user interface (GUI).
The Mac OS has been pre-installed on almost every Macintosh computer ever sold. The operating system is also sold separately from the computer just as with Microsoft Windows. The original Mac OS
was heavily based on the Lisa OS previously released by Apple for the Lisa computer in 1983. It also used concepts from other operating systems previewed by Apple executives.
In 1984, Apple partnered with Microsoft in an agreement that would have Microsoft creating versions of Word and Excel for the Mac OS. For the majority of the 1980’s, the Mac OS lacked a large amount of compatible software, however, the introduction of System 7 saw more software becoming available for the platform.
System 6 was the first major revision of the operating system, although the Mac OS kernel was kept the same from the System 7 revision until Mac OS 9.
The Macintosh project started in early 1979 with Jeff Raskin who envisioned an easy-to-use low-cost computer for the average consumer. In September of ’79, Raskin was given permission to start hiring for the project.
In January of 1981, Steve Jobs completely took over the Macintosh project. Jobs and a number of Apple engineers visited Xerox PARC in December of 1979 which was three months after the Lisa and Macintosh project had begun.
After hearing about the pioneering GUI technology being developed at Xerox PARC from former employees like Raskin, Jobs negotiated a visit to see the Xerox Alto computer and Smalltalk development tools in exchange for stock options. This was probably one of the best business moves Jobs had ever made.
The final Lisa and Macintosh operating systems used concepts from the Xerox Alto, but many elements of the GUI were creating by Apple including a menu bar and pop-up menus. Specifically, the click and drag concept was developed by Jeff Raskin.
Unlike the IBM PC which used 8 KB of system ROM for power-on self test and basic input/output chores, the Mac ROM was significantly larger at 64 KB and held key OS code. Andy Hertzfeld was responsible for most of the original coding. He was able to conserve some of the ROM space by interweaving some of the assembly language code.
In addition to coding the ROM, he also coded the kernel, the Macintosh Toolbox, and some of the desktop accessories as well. The icons of the operating system which represented folders and application software were designed by Susan Kare who later designed the icons for Microsoft Windows 3.0.
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