This week the Internet Archive website announced it has curated a range of classic Macintosh software for interested users to download and emulate in their browser, allowing them to get a feel for Apple days of yesteryear.

The selection spans the period 1984-1989 in Macintosh history, and features classic applications like MacPaint and MacDraft, System Software 6, and games including Dark Castle, Airborne! and Lemmings.

screenshot 00 1

If you've not experienced the original operating system for the Macintosh family of computers, it's an interesting combination of well-worn conventions in the modern world, along with choices that might seem strange or off-the-mark. At the time the machine was released, however, they landed new ideas in the hands of a worldwide audience and gained significant fans and followers almost immediately.

In addition, the compilation of System 7.0.1 includes a large variety of software programs and provides a vintage recreation of the later MacOS experience of 1991. Some features that System 7 boasted over its predecessor included virtual memory, personal file sharing, QuickTime, QuickDraw 3D, and an improved user interface.

screenshot 03
The full range of software can be found in the Macintosh Collection. The emulator itself comes prepackaged in each listing and does not require a separate download.

Top Rated Comments

PizzaBoxStyle Avatar
90 months ago
These were the days!!
Just think, we'll never be able to reminisce like this over iOS apps in 20 years. App signing and locked-down distribution effectively preclude that.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacBH928 Avatar
90 months ago
Archive.org is seriously under appreciated website/organization
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macaddiict Avatar
90 months ago
Archive.org is seriously under appreciated website/organization
Truth - archive.org is awesome!

That aside, it cracked me up that the System 6 emulator takes 40 megs to download, whereas the original consisted of 128k or so of ROM and 1 800k floppy!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wondercow Avatar
90 months ago
Yep, we didn't see macos until version 8
7.6, with that awesome new boot screen and logo. I remember all the computer nerds (of which I was one) gathered 'round a PPC8100 for the first boot, waiting to see it!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrgraff Avatar
90 months ago
Holy nostalgia, Batman! There's goes any chance of me getting my work done today.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thisisnotmyname Avatar
90 months ago
Awesome, I'll just fire up terminal to check a few things out... oh... wait...

Does it have hypercard though?

:p
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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