Macs have always had impressive networking capabilities from the beginning. In this entry, I’ll dive into more detail on setting up file sharing between two 68k Macs. All you need are two Macs and a serial (aka Printer/Modem) cable!
Old PRAM Batteries (Things that go bump in the night!)
Impending Doom
There’s one thing in particular inside your classic 68k Mac that’s sitting there like a time bomb ready to ruin your vintage machine. If you haven’t already guessed what it is, it’s the 3.6V “half AA” PRAM lithium battery.
When these things go, they don’t just “go” – they go out with a bang. The following is a story of my Macintosh Classic, it’s life, death, and afterlife.
Installing Linux on a 68k Mac
Running Linux on a 68k Mac
Did you know it’s possible to run Linux on classic Macs? Indeed it is! The process may not be for the feint of heart, but below are some good resources to get you started…
Bless This Mess
Bless you!
In order for a classic Mac to boot from a drive, there needs to be a System Folder. A system folder needs to contain the system file (aka system suitcase) and the Finder. Sometimes though, even if these files reside in a folder named “System Folder” the Mac still won’t boot – this is most likely because the folder isn’t “blessed”.
Mac Emulators
Let’s cover some ways to emulate the classic Mac OS on a (how should I say this) more “modern” computer. If you don’t have any old Mac hardware lying around, you can still enjoy vintage games and software and all the fun of the classic Mac OS thanks to emulation.
Which classic system software is right for me?
The answer to most technology questions is “it depends” – and this is certainly true for selecting an OS for a classic Mac. Each option comes with pros and cons.
Meet Classicbot
If you’re a fan of classic Macs, check out Classicbot! This cute little guy was created by playsometoys, a Hong-Kong based startup.
They also make an iBot, a classic black Classicbot, and a plushie version along with various other retro goodies.
Take a look here: https://classicbot.com/
Macintosh Color Classic Mystic
The Macintosh Color Classic
Many Mac models have interesting histories, fan bases, or just notoriety in general… and that’s no exception for the Color Classic.
The final frontier: connecting a Macintosh SE to the Internet with a Raspberry Pi
Yep. It’s totally possible. You can pretty much get any Mac on the internet – as Macs have been designed for networking since day one. But… it’s not exactly “plug n’ play”. I’ve seen a few websites and bloggers pull this feat off a few different ways. Below, I’ll give you a quick run down of some of the ways people have gotten it to work, along with how I was able to get my Macintosh SE FDHD online.
5 ways to transfer files to an old Mac
This article covers a few methods for getting software and files from a modern Mac or PC onto an older classic Mac. Older Macs may (or may not) have ethernet, usb, or serial… so this article should give you a few options. There’s no right and wrong way here – whatever works!
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