333MHz iMacs for under $1200! Veronica on the move: a5 is here By AppleInsider Staff (AppleInsider@AppleInsider.com) February 19, 1999 Earlier this week Apple seeded alpha 5 of Mac OS 8.6 to developers. The latest build of Apple's OS, code-namd Veronica, is expected sometime in March and reflects a concerted effort by Apple's Mac OS team to address a large number of bug fixes and oustanding issues in the forthcoming release of the OS. Sources close to AppleInsider say that the latest revision was seeded as an update only, as opposed to a full build, with specific changes to AppleScript Folder Actions and a new and improved Startup Disk Control Panel. In addition, source say significant improvements have been made to LaserWriter printing interface. Despite the ongoing alpha testing of Veronica, developers say that the latest build is quite stable: "Apple is putting a lot more emphasis on earlier builds", said one source, "they are encouraging us to do much more testing earlier on to help them nip the bugs in the bud from the beginning of the progress, as opposed to bombarding them with reports in the latter stages of the beta seeds." Apple's own documentation talks about the altered development cycle changes as well, Apple has adjusted its development cycle to put more emphasis on pre-alpha and alpha builds. This has several benefits, allowing Apple to ensure higher quality, and providing more time for localization. This change benefits developers as well. In the past, releases were typically only ready for external testing closer to beta. With this change in scheduling developers get a much more stable system to work with much earlier in the process. And stomping out bugs they are Sources tell AppleInsider that in the latest Veronica release notes sent to developers, Apple lists a few pages of bug fixes completed just since the last build was seeded twelve days ago (many, many other went undocumented, according to sources). Another source stated, "I expect that once Veronica reaches Beta stages, that Apple will reach GM (Golden Master) rather quickly, it seems as if all the major bugs that normally slow the beta stage down are being addressed with now." As always, you can rely on AppleInsider to pass on any further information on Mac OS 8.6 as soon as it becomes available. Don't forget to stop by the AppleInsider Web Board to discuss the latest insider news and rumors. Print Only Version | Email this Story to a Friend -If you have any further information on this subject, please inform us. Top Stories This Week: Power Macintosh G4 Special Report Maya Digital Effects Suite Highly Considered for Mac OS X Apple/Sears Deal Confirmed: iMacs on Their Way Mac OS 8.6 Officially Turns Golden Master iMacs May Be Sold Through JCPenny? Apple Toying with Strawberry G3 Apple to Announce QuickTime 4 Preview Release Apple to Make Sears 3rd National Retailer? Apple to Transition to Intel by 2001: "Total Fiction" Yosemite Speed Bumps Due in April Fire in Mexico Plant Plagues Apple, Halts iMac Production ARCHIVES | RESOURCES | MAC OS 8.6 MAC OS X | HARDWARE | CODENAMES | MESSAGE BOARDS ADVERTISING | CONTACT US Return to Apple Insider Transferring software couldn't be easier with our FREE* software!

Macworld Special Report From pre-exhibition sneak peeks to live coverage of Steve Jobs' keynote address, we had it all. Check out all the reports and images in our Macworld Special Report. Mac OS 8.6 Revealed Apple has begun to implement a new kernel into the Mac OS with Mac OS 8.6, code named Veronica. Read all about it in our latest Mac OS 8.6 Report. The Future of the PPC The future of the PowerPC is looking bright, with the Alti-Vec enhanced G4s just around the corner. Read about it and see the roadmap in our Future of the PPC Report. Consumer Portable The much anticipated Consumer Portable is just months away from an introduction. Read what we have to say about it in our latest report on The Consumer Portable.