Mac OS X v.10.2 - Feb/Mar '03

Mac OS X v.10.2

Apple’s latest version of Mac OS X, aptly named “Jaguar,” continues to evolve and mature. Version 10.2 comes with a slew of new features, increased stability, performance and usability, and improved networking between Macs and PCs. Apple has thrown in some new applications and revised some existing ones. While these applications are useful, most law firms will opt for more robust third-party options. Another negative is price: $129 for single user licenses, with no upgrade path offered. However, all things considered, this is an excellent, recommended upgrade.

Interface
I have never warmed to the look of some of the interface elements in previous versions of OS X. They appeared too cartoonish for me, but Apple has modified the appearance in Jaguar. Buttons are more subdued and flatter, although the shadowed 3-D look is retained for Windows and other interface elements.

Spring-loaded folders make their first appearance in OS X, and are controlled using a preference pane. Dialog boxes have been improved to show more information, as well.

An important change for attorneys in the Finder is a more robust Find command. The Finder is now multithreaded enabling it to perform several tasks at once. You can find files locally, on a volume or over a network. The resulting dialog box facilitates advanced searches using various filters and criteria.

Version 3.0 of Sherlock is an Internet-based search engine, and it doesn’t rely on a separate browser to search. Various search “channels” or topics are displayed as toolbar icons. Sherlock’s channel-based Internet search is good, but I found the inexpensive third-party search application, Karelia’s Watson, to be a more comprehensive searching tool.

Networking
For mixed Mac and PC law offices, Jaguar provides impressive networking capabilities. Apple “Rendezvous” technology automatically locates and configures two Jaguar Macs in seconds when connected either by wired Ethernet or any available wireless 802.11b network.

Windows-based networking has been simplified. Using “Connect to Server,” you have the ability to browse the network, including any Windows servers. Access to Macs by Windows users is also simple with public folders, which allow you to share files with anybody.

Finally, Jaguar incorporates an Internet gateway feature to permit any Mac or PC on a local network to share a single Internet connection while remaining connected to each other.
Once your Mac is connected to the Internet, it’s used to handle your Mac/PC network’s Internet traffic.

New Applications
Jaguar adds some new applications and refines several more. Its iChat instant-messaging application permits users to exchange messages with America Online or Mac.com users. Other more robust snap mail applications are out there for intranet and Internet use. Apple’s improved Address Book application provides new import options in a more robust interface. Information can be shared with Apple’s Mail application, as well as many personal organizers and wireless devices. However, despite these improvements, Address Book has neither the functionality nor breadth of a dedicated personal information manager such as Now Up-to-Date & Contact (www.poweronsoftware.com).

Mail 1.2 also has been cosmetically improved, but better third-party alternatives such as Microsoft Entourage are recommended. It does employ a useful, efficient and self-configuring junk mail filtering system that does a credible job of filtering spam.

Compatibility
Any significant upgrade to OS invariably brings incompatibility problems with existing programs. Jaguar is no exception.

There have been reported issues with IBM’s ViaVoice, Microsoft Office X and some Hewlett-Packard print drivers. The compatibility issues either have been or are in the process of being resolved. Check each company’s Web site for information.

Core Technology
Beyond appearance and functionality, Jaguar represents some radically different core technologies, the most compelling is Quartz Extreme (QE), the new graphics engine. QE accelerates the drawing of the interface on the screen by utilizing your video card exclusively. This enables a computer to simply compute, which results in faster screen responses. At a minimum, you will need a 16MB accelerated graphics port video card to support QE, but it’s worth it.

Also implemented is “Inkwell,” an advanced handwriting technology. Connect an input tablet to your Jaguar Mac, and you can write anywhere in a document that accepts text. Inkwell automatically will translate your handwritten text.

Apple Computer Inc.
(800) MY-APPLE
www.apple.com/macosx/
Price: $129 (single user); $199 Family Pack

Reviewed by David A. Saraceno, a practicing attorney and operator of MotionLaw, a forensic animation consulting firm in Spokane, Wash.

Feb/Mar '03 Issue

PROS
Improved interface; new or refined applications and functionality; simplified networking. Quartz Extreme accelerates graphics display on capable Macs.

CONS
No upgrade price. Need fast Mac and video card for some graphics features.

VERDICT
Apple has succeeded in evolving OS X into modern OS. A recommended buy despite the full price upgrade.