OS Support Survey

Background

While researching various ways to put up a Font/Style palette, it was discovered (in the Mac OS X 10.4 release notes) that Apple added a feature to MLTE in OS X 10.4 where, if the MLTE control is in the appropriate mode, it will handle all communications with the system Font/Style palette. If we use that, all we need to do is open and close the Font/Style palette, and put MLTE into the correct mode.

A critical ramification of using this code is that Macs running in OS X versions lower than 10.4 will not be able to run the OS X Helix Client or Helix Engine. (They will be able to continue to use the Classic Client.) Since all development and testing to date has been done in OS X 10.4, all effort has gone toward simply getting it running without testing for backwards compatibility. In addition, Intel-based Macs require OS X 10.4 or higher, so supporting only 10.4 and higher would allow us to deliver an Intel-native product sooner.

Time Frame

This survey ran Sept 26 – Oct 16, 2006.

The Question

For which versions of OS X do you need a native Helix Client/Engine?

The Results

(306 Votes)
86.6%	(265)	10.4 and later, with 10.3 and earlier supported via the Classic Mode.
12.1%	(37)	10.3 and later, with 10.2 and earlier supported via the Classic Mode.
1.3%	(4)	10.2 and later, with 10.1 and earlier supported via the Classic Mode.

Selected Comments From Responses

Intel, the sooner the better.
While backward compatability is a nice feature, its not one Helix can afford if it slows down progress. Forcing users into a paid OS upgrade is a moot point if Helix can't get out the door.
I am desparate to get a native RADE/Engine!!! We are within a few months, if not weeks, of trashing my Helix application and switching to MS Access which is incapable of doing what Helix can, and is, doing.
I am heavily dependent on a rather complex old database I built to use as a teacher's gradebook, using Helix Express 3.5. I have tried repeatedly to duplicate the functionality using Filemaker Pro, but I find it impossible!
I am quite happy if you still offer Classic apps, and would greatly appreciate if you can keep a Classic Client also with further Helix releases.
We always run the latest Mac OS, for the very reason you have noted. Later versions have better features. Don't live in the past, just go with 10.4. The cost of a new OS is so small that anyone who claims it is a barrier is not being practical.
It would not kill any of us to continue to use Client in Classic since we're not having any particular problems, but it would be disappointing.
I am absolutely furious! … I will not be upgrading to 10.4 anytime in the forseeable future. I'm not made of money! … If you do not support at least 10.3.9, I will never upgrade Helix again. … You are lucky you still have clients, running under Classic Mode, and now you propose to leave some of us behind forever. … you don't deserve to have any clients.

The Impact

Based on the survey result, the system requirements are expected be:

OS X 10.4 and later; earlier versions supported via the Classic Mode.
There is a slight possibility that we will support 10.3 natively, perhaps in a limited fashion.