XJCD, XRef and the Mac classic OS

At this point in time, it looks like the only way we can get a version of XRef to run on the classic Mac OS is a complete re-write with fewer features/capabilities. It would either replace the current version for all or have to be shipped as an option for those that need it, since the re-write would not be compatible with the current database format and there isn't room on the CD for two distinct copies of the database.

So, is it worth the effort? How many of you NEED a classic OS version for your Mac?

tafn

dv

 

Macs are doorstops in my house. Mac keyboards are for wiping your feet on when going inside.
Can Mac users view it any other way using different software maybe?

In my opinion I wouldn't patch all by CD, maybe look at a downloadable patch for Mac users if possible.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most modern Mac systems emulate windoze anyway? Can't they run both versions?

 

I agree too , Macs now have Windows software emulators and more , so i really would not stress too much on the Mac issue as i think it shows that you care about the members , i try not offending the Mac users here its just that if you had wanted a computer software solution you should have had not brought a Harley , i one cheeky one.

How about A Mac user post a how to on the Mac.... or a poll how many macs...

 

The issue is Java and the interface with the OS. Java support was abandoned by Apple at version 1.1. XRef requires Java 1.4.2 or higher. Since Java interfaces directly with the OS, my understanding is that an emulator is of no use.

And while one might argue that older machines (Mac or x86 based) are doorstops, sometimes those door stops are located in the garage, where the bike is. Or sometimes the 25 year old XJ is located in a less affluent country where a 5 year old computer is still considered pretty current and the owner has difficulty scraping up a few $$ for the CD itself. Don't take this the wrong way but my goal here is to help all XJ owners, not just those of us that can afford new stuff.

The downloadable patch was our original goal. The XRef team has been trying to find a work-around for Java 1.1. But it appears that it just can't be done. It will require a total re-write and a different database format. So we have 4 choices:

1. take our cue from Steve Jobs and abandon the classic Mac OS users.
2. Provide a single XRef database format, sacrificing certain features and future software support for all.
3. Provide an alternate database for the classic Mac OS users and try to maintain both database formats in harmony with each other.
4. Provide an alternate database for the classic Mac OS users as a one-time deal, with no future corrections or additions planned.

Each has it's pros and cons. We need the feedback to help us make our strategic decisions.

tafn

dv

 

FWIW, I'm fairly sure that there's no Windows emulator for classic Mac OS, only for OS X where XRef works fine anyway.

 

Well put Dwayne , i rekon option 2 for what it is worth. i a Windows user...

How about a poll somewhere extremely visible then in da fewture you can attribute the Mac users [if any responds] for a no Mac compatible cd .

Or if that sounds too harsh find a mac dude with plenty of time {seriously i would offer the serices if i was Mac machine here at the keybord}...

I admire your thought and care of responsability...

Options 1-3-4 , only you know what time is involved so i can no comment...

 

I think option #2 is fair to our MAC brethren given all the problems that the other options would pose to the software geeks (no offence intended). I'm not for accepting Mr. Gate's perspective (although I'm a Windows dependent person). God willing there will appear some means of coordinating/reconciling the two systems.

 

The techical difficulty is that Mozilla (and other browsers) are really just dumb display terminals. They render html commands into a display and that's the limit of their processing abilities. In order to execute other kinds of commands (ie: process a database query), it is necessary to utilize an extension -- ActiveX, Java, etc. And the extension must be installed on the user's computer, so it has to be compatible with the computer it's installed on. Java is the most widely available and one of the most benign, which is why we chose it in the first place.

Other strategies considered included a stand-alone application. Basic is not portable between platforms but the various flavours of C are supposed to be. Unfortunately, C is a dying language with limited support and of course only the source code is actually transportable -- each and every platform requires it's own compilation with it's own possible bugs etc.

A web based solution was also considered. Since the app would only be actually running on one computer, the output could be rendered via any html browser with no extensions or scripting required at the client end. A tempting side effect would be simplified updating as required. But the obvious downsides to that include requiring an active internet connection to the garage computer, bandwidth overhead at the server and vulnerability to the availability of the host. You know how the web works: in short order, word would get out to the world at large about this handy little utility and pretty soon every motorcycle wrecker and mechanic with access to the web would be hitting the site 50 times a day, clogging access for us XJ owners!

I do like the idea of a survey -- unfortunately the statistics page lumps all Mac users into one category but we're only interested in the Mac classic OS popularity, since there's no problem with Max OSX flavours. Is it possible to add a survey to this thread at this late date, or must a new thread be started?

 

Interesting thought. I'll bounce that off the XRef team and see what they think. Hold off on the survey for the moment until they've had a chance to mull it over a bit.

 

Damn old thread but...
+1 for getting the xref data in a mysql/postgresql database for access via web API.
I will be taking a look at doing it but... if it's already done then... that'd be great!

 

the cross referencing function on this site works pretty good... FYI
https://www.fowlersparts.co.uk/search/part/90387-172A5