Apple provided testers and developers with a new pre-release version of Mac OS X 10.3, code-named Panther. The update was marked build 7B21, the first “B” series Panther build to be seeded. A new version of Xcode Suite was also seeded, with “issues addressed in almost every component,” according to the read me. Read more about it at ThinkSecret.Elsewhere, Trans Intl. has announced the availability of a 1GB DDR333 (Double Data Rate) memory module for Apple’s 17-inch PowerBook G4. The new 1GB memory module, which appears to be the first on the market, enables you to double your PowerBook’s main memory to 2GB of available RAM. Previously, it was only possible to add two 512MB modules for 1GB of total memory in the latest PowerBooks. Read about it at MacMinute.
Apple Seeds Panther build 7B21, new Xcode
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
Follow me on Twitter @EugeniaLoli
there’s ongoing discussion about this build at MacRumors.com
http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/07/20030726030536.shtml
Cant wait for Panther to be released so I can run it on my new PowerBook 17. Dont know whether I’m wild about an all metal UI – hopefully that will be something the user can change. The performance enhancements sound amazing, though.
Xcode…….ahghghhghhghhgahghgh (drools on self)
Is there anyone here who is using Panther on an eMac? I’ve been following it, and it appears to be a really good upgrade, however, I was wondering what is its speed like compared to 10.2.6? I’ve heard rumours that it is much better optimised for the PowerPC in terms of the compiling being able to compile nicer code.
Mac OS X keeps getting better and better
>Is there anyone here who is using Panther on an eMac?
I use it on my Cube 450 Mhz G4.
It still has bugs –naturally, as it is a beta–, but it comes up nicely. It is a nice OS.
One thing I would like to see changed in it, is the ability to have a small “Users” icon in the notification area instead of printing the user name (this is a new feature on Panther 10.2, for fast user switching). My user name is huge (“Eugenia Loli-Queru”) and it takes much space on the menu bar, leaving almost not much space for some apps to put up their menu items (and I use 1280×1024). I just wish that they give the option to instead of printing the name there, to have a small 16×16 user icon to click and drop down the user names.
Thank you for the reply.
Well, it will be interesting how the whoel thing pans out. Knowing me, I will most likely hold off until the first fixes are released, however, if I do hear good reviews, I might jump in early.
I would recommend changing your username to ‘elq’ 🙂
I should have elaborated better. Mac OS X Panther does not put in the menu bar the user name per se, but the *real name* of the user. If I change my real name to ELQ, all the address books, Safari, Mail and all these apps that rely in the Mac OS X integration to get the user’s real name, they all are going to not display my real name to web forms, emails etc. And that would suck.
As you can see, the problem is not as easy as “changing the user name”. There are integration issues if you are forced to change your real name on OSX just because of this bad UI decision that holds true so far. I still hold to the belief though, that Apple will see the light and will add the option to just show the 16×16 user icon (instead of printing the name) as seen in the Preference panel, when Panther comes out.
That’s interesting… Did u send a bug report to Apple about it? Did they respond?
No, because I don’t know where to send the bug report exactly regarding the multi-user stuff. If you have a URL or email address where I can send in a bug report, I will be happy to. I am pretty active on all fronts sending bug reports (mostly on OSS stuff), so I would happily do it.
don’t know if this helps, but…
http://www.apple.com/macosx/feedback/
they have panther as an os option, so i think that this might be used by them for bug reporting too…
If you have a URL or email address where I can send in a bug report, I will be happy to.
I believe you have to be in Apples developer program (ADC) to do so.
I won’t have a multi-user machine, so hopefully this “feature” will be off by default for single user machines.
Done. Submitted two bug reports (I have a sound problem too in the beta).
sorry, but the german reseller dsp-memory (www.dsp-memory.de)
sells 1GB SO-Dimms for PowerBooks for several months now.
Look at this:
http://www.dsp-memory.de/v1/catalog/default.php?cPath=1_18&
While the prise is a little high, it looks like goot old europe was faster than the US this time. 😉
Ralf.
Eugenia, where’s my Panther beta?? 😀
I should have elaborated better. Mac OS X Panther does not put in the menu bar the user name per se, but the *real name* of the user. If I change my real name to ELQ, all the address books, Safari, Mail and all these apps that rely in the Mac OS X integration to get the user’s real name, they all are going to not display my real name to web forms, emails etc. And that would suck.
Maybe you should find a nice Chinese guy to marry so your last name will be shorter?
Just trying to help
🙂
lol DJ Jedi Jeff
For bugreporting: https://bugreport.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/RadarWeb.woa
You have to be ADC-member.
Yeah, I too run OS X (on a G4 Cube nonetheless!) and find it weird, but definitely Mac-like that they use the real name rather than the user name for so many things (like offering up admin password for installs). Glad you submitted the bug/incorrect feature – I hope they fix it.
I have a free ADC membership and can’t download this. After some research, you have to have a select membership to get it($500us/year). Anybody want to give me their seed rights?
https://bugreport.apple.com/