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Architecture: PPC
Mac OS X Public Beta
The Mac OS X Public Beta (internally codenamed "Kodiak") was an early beta version of Apple Computer's Mac OS X operating system Cheetah. It was released to the public on September 13, 2000 for US$29.95. It allowed software developers and early adopters to test a preview of the upcoming operating system and develop software for the forthcoming operating system before its final release. It had a build number of 1H39.
The Public Beta succeeded Mac OS X Server 1.0, the first public release of Apple's new NeXT OpenStep-based operating system, which used a variant of the classic Mac OS' "Platinum" user interface look and feel. The Public Beta introduced the Aqua user interface to the world. Fundamental user interface changes were revealed with respect to fonts, the Dock, the menu bar (with an Apple logo at the center which was later repositioned, due to public request). System icons were much larger and more detailed, and new interface eye candy was prevalent.
Description via Wikipedia
The Public Beta expired on May 15 2001, so you will need to set the clock back to a suitable date to install and run.
In fact, there were two Public Beta builds. 1H39 was for sale in the US, while 2E14 was the International version (with extended international support).
Download
Mac OS X public beta
CompatibilityMac OS X public beta
Architecture: PPC
System requirements
This version of Mac OS X works with the following computers: (as of September 2000)
any Power Mac G4 computer
any Power Macintosh G3 computer
any PowerBook G3 except the original PowerBook G3
any iMac computer
any iBook computer
Your computer must have at least 128 MB of RAM, internal video, or an Apple-supplied ixMicro or ATI video card, at least 1 GB of disk space available
Comments
That's an interesting view back in history. I just installed it once again on my Power Mac G4 AGP Graphics. For a beta version, it really feels quite stable and looks not bad at all. Yes, there are some issues (sluggish window action) but other than that: good quality! I don't see any performance issues (mentioned in press articles of that time) and I tested on a Single-450 MHz G4 with 512 MB memory, ATI Rage AGP, 80 GB HDD as the only (IDE master) HDD.
By the way, the included preview videos (movie commercials) are awful! Not one of these movies is still a highlight today…
Working with the Mac OS X Public Beta, I found myself with one thought after the initial euphoria: what should I work with? Internet Explorer is not usable anymore, there is literally no software compatible with Mac OS X 10.0 – so what is it good for?!?
There are also hardware issues: it works only on a very limited selection of Apple hardware of that time: an ATI Rage 128 is good, but I doubt it will run on any newer Radeon or nVidia card.
So, since it's installed: what software is still available (for download) that runs on the Public Beta?
German Macwelt online site editors conjecture about the next OS X version advised second half 2014:
Version number: 10.10 (versioning system may be changed)
Particular Macwelt editors think about the name:
"OS X Golden Gate", "OS X Napa Valley", "OS X Alcatraz" (focussed on security)
http://www.macwelt.de/news/OS-X-10-10-Napa-Valley-oder-Golden-Gate-86668...
Iʻve never seen the Public Beta before. Looks cooler than most other versions
hi all
i have reupload the file from winworldpc.com itis in .7z
thanks david
how about you use Mediafire
Ubuntu One maybe?
Its a bit slow lately. I upped some stuff there and nothing got lost so far.
I did not link anything to MG, not being eager to create dead ends (again).
Max has some flavors of Kodiak on his server, as you will know.
I've removed the multiupload links. The site has been dead a long time and there's no point in having people redirected to that ilivid crap.
I'll reup it somewhere soon. Just need to find a reliable host.
Just recently I got this on eBay for £0.99 +P&P!
Can you re-upload these Protocol 7 to Mediafire or Minus?
Is there a way to get the beta to work without resetting the date on the computer, like by editing system files?
Thanks for checking that out. I'll add it to the main post then.
As for regular OS X builds, I guess that depends on demand. I think 4K78 was the GM/retail build of 10.0.
Yes it is 1H39, according to /System/Library/CoreServices/system_build_version.
Funny for a US beta, there is also a Welcome in Deutsch and Français.
Should we collect some early releases here?
I have got a 10.0.3 4P13 and a 10.0 4K78.
Sounds like that might be the US beta then. Can you take a look at the build number in /System/Library/software_version on the dmg and see if it's 1H39?
An external link can also be found here: http://www.multiupload.com/RAEO05F01R
It is a DMG, a version about a month older than Protocol_7´s upload.
DMG is not that useful of course, thinking about the target Macs.