How to download files on a Mac OS 9 computer?

[KillerKong]

Hello!

Every couple of years I return to my Mac OS 9 Ibook to play around with, and I've always used Classilla to download files onto it using Macintosh Garden and/or Repository, but nowadays that is no longer possible. Or is it? I've tried updating to the last version of Classilla but I cannot reach any site to download with anymore (I get a no common encryption algorithm error every time).

Is there a way to download files onto a Mac OS 9 computer these days?

I've tried downloading stuff on my PC and transferring the files with a USB stick but 90% of the files become corrupt. I don't know what to do...

 

[treellama]

macintoshgarden.org still loads for me without encryption on pre-OS X Macs

 

[A24A]

Generally speaking, (most) modern sites are secure (https), and downloading anything is almost impossible using a Mac OS 9-compatible web browser.

Just one example still using http would be the German knubbelmac.de.

I've tried downloading stuff on my PC and transferring the files with a USB stick but 90% of the files become corrupt. I don't know what to do...

This should not be a problem if you keep all downloaded files in an encoded (MacBinary .bin or BinHex .hqx), or even compressed (StuffIt .sit), format until on the Mac OS 9 iBook. Make sure that the files are not altered in any way on the PC. Use an appropriate version of StuffIt Expander for the decoding/decompression once on the iBook. Do not double-click on the files there. Instead, drag them onto the StuffIt Expander icon, or open them from within the utility.

 

[MindWalker]

I've been using this combo lately (when feeling lazy and not using a local FTP server or other solutions): download GetDown Classic onto your old Mac (you can get it from http://www.68k.party/software/ which is non-https so should open just fine). This utility will let you download files (without a browser).

Then I'd browse Macintosh Garden/other site on my modern computer, to find the file I am looking for. Then I'd check the downloads, in most cases the [mirror] -option is linked to non-secured site http://old.mac.gdn/apps/ with the file. Then type this URL into the GetDown on the old Mac to download it there. This way there is no risk of the PC messing up with the encoding/compression of the files.

 

[jamie marchant]

A lot of YouTubers recommend "The Old Net" but I have never tried this myself.

 

[Green78II]

Just about an hour ago unrelated to this thread I was downloading files from Macintosh Garden on my Beige G3 using Classilla and I had no issues.

 

[finkmac]

have you tried the new macgarden test site?

 

[Byte Knight]

I use a netatalk file server to transfer files from my modern Mac to my vintage Macs, but I'm not sure how that would work with a modern PC. You could possibly use DAVE on your vintage Mac to get on your PC's shared folder to transfer files.

 

[volvo242gt]

On my G4 DA about 2-3 months ago, using Classilla. Accessed Google, and also accessed the Macintosh Garden, while I was online.

 

[KillerKong]

Thanks for all the replies, guys.

I figured out the problem I think... I hadn't set the date and time correctly which caused all sorts of issues. With it properly set, mac garden works fine again! Mac repository definitely does not work, though. Very poorly designed site.

 

[volvo242gt]

Thanks for all the replies, guys.

I figured out the problem I think... I hadn't set the date and time correctly which caused all sorts of issues. With it properly set, mac garden works fine again! Mac repository definitely does not work, though. Very poorly designed site.

Oops. That would do it...

 

[olePigeon]

I think if you search on the forums, there're two or three BBSes back up and going. I think there's also an AppleShare server (you'll have to request access). I have lots of 68k software on my personal archive website that is also vintage Mac friendly (you can even view it on a 512k Mac.)

I believe there's also a community of Hotline servers, but I don't know where that list is.