What Browser for MAC OS 9?

[peter2207]

I know nothing about MACs. I have a friend with a MAC OS 9. She has Gmail and says it is not working properly, probably due to her browsers (she has both internet Explorer and Netscape, but both are earlier versions; e.g., the Explorer is version 5.5 I think). Anyway, I tried downloading both up-to-date versions of both Explorer and Netscape (and Firefox) but all three download sites seem to indicate that you must have MAC OS X. Now I am confused.

So my question:

What do you recommend as an up-to-date internet browser for MAC OS 9 and from where can I download it?

Thanks!

[Buzz]

Unfortunately, OS9 is over 7 years dead. This means that there is no new application development for it and there hasn't been for a very long time. In the Mac world, it's similar to running Windows 95. IE for the Mac is not longer even made, not even for OSX.

The only real options for your friend is to realize that many web site will not function with her computer because the operating system is so old. Or upgrade to OSX if the machine can handle it. If the Mac has a built in USB port (not an installed PCI card or coverter) then it should support some version of OSX. That would then allow your friend to update to a more modern browser. If the machine does not have a built in USB port, it may be time to think about a new computer.

[peter2207]

Thanks, Buzz, for the great reply. One more thing though: if my friend upgrades to OSX, then what modern browser can she update to, if not IE? Can she update to Netscape? Others? (Actually, I guess I'm wondering WHAT BROWSER do MAC users use now?)

Pete

[Buzz]

Mac OSX comes with Safari.. a great browser. Firefox is also available for Mac OSX. Both work great. There is also Opera, Camino, Mozilla, Netscape, and a whole bunch of small crappy browsers. :) Generally Safari and Firefox are the best supported options.

[peter2207]

Thanks, Buzz!

[MacHeadCase]

Well there is a version of iCab (http://www.icab.de/) for Mac OS 9. Look in the downloads section, you'll see there are three different version for Mac: one for Mac OS X PowerPC, one for Mc OS X Universal Binary (runs on both Intel-based MAcs and PowerPC Macs and one that runs on Mac OS 8.5 to OS 9.

Hope this helps.

[Buzz]

Icab was never a fully supported browser having may display bugs whenever I tested it. Therefore I generally don't recommending unless you really know your web stuff and are willing to deal with the issues it may present.