1996 May
Mac OS 7.6 released, the first version to bear the "Mac OS" name. It was released to support the Macintosh "clones" that Apple had now authorized, and establish a brand name for the Macintosh operating system, just as Microsoft had done with Windows. The new system features include OpenDoc and Macintosh Run-Time Java (MRJ).[136],[137]
1996 May
Bright Software changes its name to Fast Eddie Labs, and announces the release of a beta version of its Apple IIGS eumulation software, code-named "Fast Eddie", and written by Henrik Gudat and Andre Horstmann.[139]
1997 March
Softdisk GS ceases publication.[129]
1997 July
Mac OS 8.0 released, a major revision that improved the interface and OpenDoc, and introduced Open Transport.[136],[138]
1998 January
Mac OS 8.1 released, the last version to support the 68000 series (specifically the 68040). It introduced HFS+ disk formatting to improve efficiency of file storage on large hard drives.[136],[138]
1998 June
Microsoft Windows 98 released.[133]
1998 October
Mac OS 8.5 released, the first version to support only the PowerPC. It included the Sherlock for the first time.[136],[138]
1999 May
Mac OS 8.6 released, the first version to display a version number during startup.[136],[138]
Microsoft Windows 98 (Second Edition) released.[133]
1999 October
Mac OS 9.0 released, a major revision of the operating system. Features included Multiple Users and Sherlock 2.[136],[138]
2000 February
Microsoft Windows 2000 released.[133]
2000 April
Mac OS 9.0.4 released. This included bug fixes for the various previous versions of 9.0, and also was needed in order to run "Classic" in the Mac OS X Open Beta.[138]
2000 June
Microsoft Windows ME (Millenium Edition) released.[133]
2000 September
Mac OS X Open Beta released by Apple for users to try out and make suggestions as to how Apple should continue development. It is a totally rewritten system, based on Unix core software ("kernel"), with the Mac OS graphic interface.[140]
2001 January
Mac OS 9.1 released, with increased stability and a few new features. This version was needed in order to run Mac OS X 10.0 or 10.1.[138]
2001 March
Mac OS X 10.0 released, the first (and very raw) consumer version of the next generation Mac operating system.[140]
2001 July
Mac OS 9.2 released only as the installed operating system on new Macintosh computers.[138]
2001 August
Mac OS 9.2.1 available as an update. Improved operation of "Classic" under Mac OS X 10.0 or 10.1.[138]
2001 September
Mac OS X 10.1 released. This more mature version had numerous speed enhancements and was more usable to the typical Mac user.[140]
2001 October
Microsoft Windows XP released.[133]
2001 December
Mac OS 9.2.2 available as an update, the last of the Mac OS 9 series.[138]
2002 July
At KansasFest 2002, Eric Shepherd announces Project Barney, an agreement with Softdisk Publishing to allow Syndicomm to distribute the Apple II publications Softdisk and Softdisk GS on CD-ROM.
2002 August
Mac OS X 10.2 released. Code-named "Jaguar", it featured many speed enhancements and introduced further improvements in the interface.
2003 July
At KansasFest 2003, Steven Wozniak attends for the first time, and is the keynote speaker. Also at KansasFest were announced the first beta of Marinetti 3.0, by Richard Bennett-Forrest; the CD-ROM releases of Softdisk and Uptime, by Syndicomm; and many re-releases of products from Call-A.P.P.L.E.
5 May 03