Basic Mac FAQ

What MacOS version are they running?

How much RAM do they have?

1) Be in the Finder.

go to the [possibly nameless] menu at the top right corner of the screen, and make sure Finder is checked.

2) Choose the first item in Apple menu at the top left corner of the screen.

it's either About this Macintosh or About this Computer

3) Read the stuff in the window that comes up.

Modern MacOS versions will say (among other things) Mac OS #.#, while older ones will say System 7.#, but they're talking about the same thing.

Built-In Memory shows total real RAM. (Total Memory or Virtual Memory shows how much RAM the computer pretends to have, including Virtual Memory).

Where are control panels?

In the Apple menu. A submenu pops out of the Control Panels item. If it's an older MacOS version, then it might not pop out--just choose Control Panels and they'll come up in a window.

How do I find the hard drive icon?

By default, it's in the top right area of the screen, and it's called Macintosh HD. Of course, it can also be renamed and moved.

What is Open Transport, anyway?

Open Transport is the current incarnation of the networking part of the MacOS. It includes a TCP/IP stack and a modem dialer program, but it can also use FreePPP as a modem dialer (though that's not usually a good idea). Most versions of the MacOS before 7.6 didn't have Open Transport.

What is FreePPP, anyway?

FreePPP is the best way to dialup with an older MacOS. But it's a dialer program only-- TCP/IP is provided by either the MacTCP control panel or Open Transport (not recommended).