[Nobody]

Hi, I'm running a beige G3 with OS 9.something and am looking to get hooked up online. I previously (4ish years ago) had used internet explorer, but was told that won't work anymore. Any suggestions as to which program will work? And how do I get such a program? I'm going to be using a 56K external modem if that matters. I think that's the kind I have. Suggestions please.
- Maggie

[Nobody]

Also, has anyone used Net Zero as an ISP on their Mac?

[sosumi]

Hi
Microsoft stopped supporting Internet Explorer for Mac a few years ago and have since removed the download for it from their site. I think the last version to run on OS 9 was 5.1.7 (and yes, it will still work), you probably would be able to find it somewhere for download if you really want it. You also might like to try iCab or Netscape (scroll down to Netscape 7).
Net Zero is okay, but I don't like the AOL-ish things you need to install and the navigation bar. For around the same price there are other options like fastermac, and priced low for the first six months there are Appleisp (Which I had when I was on dialup) or Earthlink. Have a Google around for others.

Also, have a look at what version you have of OS 9, the last one was 9.2.2 and if you don't have it, grab the updates you need here.
Good luck!

[durandal343]

I also believe that Mozilla's itteration of an os9 browser was very decent. It is probable that you will need an assortment of browsers as some will work with some pages while others will not. Browsing in os9 is becoming more and more difficult.

[Nobody]

It seems as though "fastermac" is the cheapest. There is a local internet service that works with Macs and PCs but it's a lot more expensive. I'm thinking whatever ISP I go with (eg fastermac) the company would suggest or require that I work with a specific internet program (eg iCab). Am I correct?

[sosumi]

You can use any browser you'd like with any ISP. Also, any ISP should be Mac compatible given they don't have software you need to install that's PC only (like PeoplePc), but I'd shy away from any ISP that requires special software. So, I threw out FasterMac as an example, but you're not stuck with Mac-centric ISPs. Just remember to make sure any ISP you decide on has local access numbers! Make a list of the numbers that seem local to you and check with your phone company to make sure the exchange is in your free calling zone, the area code isn't always a good indicator. Example, #1 has your area code, but the exchange is for a town 20 miles away and is a toll call while #2's exchange is for the town next to yours and not a toll call, but has a different area code. I mention it as, I'm ashamed to say, my mom got screwed by choosing the wrong number.

Regarding the other poster, I used Mozilla on OS 9 and loved it, but the Mozilla site has this to say:

In reply to:

---

Due to the lack of developer interest, build machines, compilers and testing resources, the last mozilla.org software built for Mac OS 9 was Mozilla 1.2.1, released in December 2002. However, versions of our software that old are not recommended for security reasons. Therefore, for Mac OS 9 users, mozilla.org recommends iCab - which is, as far as we know, the only graphical browser currently maintained for Mac OS 9.

---

[durandal343]

Was there not an open source or some other project that had updated mozilla? I thought there was. I have never been all that impressed with icab.

[sosumi]

I hadn't heard of one, but then again I haven't browsed on 9 since I stripped it down to put on a smaller partition to use with classic, so I haven't kept up with things.
Mozilla still has OS 9 versions available.

[Nobody]

OK, here are my Mac's specs. I'm running OS 9.1 and I have Internet Explorer 5 from when I was previously hooked up online. I have an external GV 28.8-56K modem.

[durandal343]

I would check out any browser for os 9 that you can and see which you prefer. Some options are iCab, Mozilla, Netscape, and others.

[macnuke]

my old beige running 9.1..
I use primarily Opera 6.0.3 for my browser. that is their last OS9 version that will run on your machine and works better than Internet Explorer.
and there are the others listed above.

[Nobody]

Sosumi, you suggested that I update my OS to a higher 9.x. How can I do that if I don't have internet on my Mac yet? (I'm on a computer school right now.) It seems as though Apple only has online downloadable upgrades for 9.2.1 and 9.2.2. I want to upgrade before I install the internet programs on my Mac, but it seems as though I'll need to get hooked up online before I upgrade. Is that correct?

[sosumi]

Hi
You really don't need to install the OS updates before you go on the internet. Once you are online, you can use the version of Internet Explorer you already have to download the updates to bring 9 up to speed. As you have 9.1, you'll only need the 9.2.1 and 9.2.2 updates, install in order. If you'd rather update beforehand, burn them to a disk at school, if students aren't allowed to burn ask whomever maintains the computers if they can help you out, they might even have a copy of the updates on hand if the school runs Macs.
Good luck!

[dougster]

-Hi,
Just in case you haven't picked an ISP yet peek at: http://www.thelist.com/
I'd still make sure they are Mac friendly in case you have to give them a call for some reason.