System 7.1 Software?

[Juliet Elysa]

Does a somewhat big discrepancy between the System file version and the Finder version cause any trouble? So far it seems like it's working OK, but the only useful program it has on it is Word 5.0 so it hasn't really been used yet. Mostly I want to know if I should make finding a regular version of 7.1.2 like the one in the picture a priority.

Also, is this Finder version common, and how is it different from other versions? I'm inclined to save a copy since I've never seen it before but would like to learn more about it.

 

[Charlieman]

It sounds like you're running some weird combination of System 7.1 & a Finder from System 7.5+

No, it's fine.

The first Scriptable Finder (7.5.x) is designed to work with System 7.1.x. Scriptable Finder shipped with loads of printer drivers, probably with a few other bundles. Juliet Elysa seems to have acquired it as part of a StyleWriter installation. It isn't unusual.

Desktop Printing: how did that happen? That's why Scriptable Finder was installed.

 

[Paralel]

The first scriptable finder was actually 7.1.3, which is the finder version that is installed with the Applescript 1.0 disks distributed by Apple.

 

[Juliet Elysa]

Ah yeah, that would explain it. It does have two StyleWriter icons (Color StyleWriter 1500 and StyleWriter II) icons on the desktop and a bunch of printer choices in Chooser, but I don't have the printers. So the Finder must have come with the color printer. Still doesn't necessarily explain why I have the Color and ColorSync System Profile control panels though.

 

[Charlieman]

Stop fretting. System 7.1 is installed on your PowerBook. That's what you are running: System 7.1. That's what it says when you ask "About..."

After that, you installed a printer driver package. The package upgraded the Finder to a Scriptable Finder, Finder 7.5.x. The Finder is a program running on System 7.1.

Install the rest of AppleScript if you are ambitious and have fun telling applications to do things. Tell Finder to make an alias of your favourite file.

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For adventurers: Tell your FTP application to download some data, mangle the data in a Mac text machine, stuff the mangled data into a DTP application and print something. That's how your 1995 TV listings were compiled: AppleScript.

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In the System 6 era and previously, System and Finder were mixed liberally. A Japanese office may have had a Mac running JP System (to support JP languages) with a US/Z Finder with English for visitors. 

 

[Juliet Elysa]

I wasn't fretting, just never saw a mismatch before (and didn't know that some printer drivers come with a Finder upgrade) and wanted to learn more. Tiny details like mismatches or control panels that don't seem to be relevant or useful fascinate me and make me wonder about a Mac's history, among other things. I'm a curious person by nature, I want to know everything! :lol:

If there were a serious conflict I assume the PB would have had some noticeable problems right away and so far (don't want to jinx it!) everything software related is working like a charm.

 

[olePigeon]

Finder is just an application, isn't it?  I seem to recall you can completely replace Finder even with a regular app.  Kinda funny.  I don't think anyone ever did, but I suppose technically some software company could have written a complete Finder replacement for the old OS back in the day.  Would have been interesting.  I could see Berkeley, Norton, or ACTION making one.

 

[IPalindromeI]

I think you'll need to add some additional hooks for Finder functions. I know Norton Utilities had emergency disks with the Finder replaced to boot right into Utilities.

 

[Juliet Elysa]

Hm, I hadn't thought of Finder as an application before now, but it makes complete and total sense.