Computer/Software Upgrade Dilemma: I really am concerned and confused about my current/future computer system. I use it for my business daily and can't afford to make a big mistake. I know it's a little long, but I reeeeaaalllyy appreciate taking the time to read it and offer any advice you can. Current system: Mac G4 w/1 gig+ of RAM/os 8.6 Nikon Coolscan 8000 scanner Epson 2200 printer Lacie cd burner Software: Photoshop 6.0, Pagemaker 6.5, Dreamweaver 3/Fireworks I have a perfect functioning system that views, scans, and prints beautiful accurate prints. After multiple software/hardware problems that took weeks and weeks to solve, the workflow is perfect (a little slow, but working smoothly). My dilemma arose when I wanted to begin development of my web site, only to discover that my Internet Explorer 4.5 was not up to date enough to access my web host and other important areas (same with my Netscape 4.5). I do not have Windows and have absolutely no desire to. The newest version of IE requires it. So, I found I can upgrade to IE 5.0.6 to solve most of my problems for now, but I have some serious concerns/issues.... 1) I'm not as computer literate as I would like, and I keep hearing reading of people who have their system/workflow messed up after performing an IE upgrade. I really can't afford any long down time, as I use my computer daily for my business...to lose time with a problem can cost me my biggest account, and consequently I am petrified of messing up the workflow I have now. 2) I would also ultimately like to upgrade to os 9, primarily because (a) I've been told how much better/faster it operates with digital imaging (b) os 8.6 is not compatible (os 9 is) with Colorvisions Spyder, which I would soon like to purchase to accurately calibrate my system when I start outsourcing some of my stuff to labs. 3) My business is in the other side of my duplex home and my wife is hopeing I'll buy another computer soon so we have one in the main house. I actually like the idea of possibly purchasing another faster mac with os x., Giving me the ability to work on my 100+mb files in Photoshop a little faster and at the same time have something printing on my old mac (preferably under upgraded os 9). One of the reasons I don't desire to upgrade my current computer to os x, is I have specifically read about the problems with the printer options on my 2200 not available or working properly under os x. Also, I like the idea of two seperate systems in case one goes down, I have a back-up working perfectly, that will lose me no time on important jobs while I solve any hardware/software problem I may have with the other. Plus most of the software programs I have /want operate on both os 9 and os x. I don't actually need it right NOW, and was hoping to hold off till next year, and at the same time possibly get a littel more bang for my buck, and hopefully have some of the os x problems worked out. Questions: 1) I went to Apples site and can't even find an upgrade to os 9 to purchase any more. Is it availabe at all?... or can/should I purchase/upgrade to os x and still have my os 8.6 to run my printer capabilities? 2) If I purchase a new mac, it will have the upgraded Internet Explorer/Netscape version, without risking messing up my other system, Should I just bite the bullet and get it now? 3) Should I link the two together if I do? Or should I keep them seperate for the reasons suggested above? 4) Other ideas/concerns? Thank you very much for taking the time to read and analyze my concerns. I'm really unsure which way to go and it

1) poweron.com OS 9.2.2 is what you seek. 2) For Business: Yes. Keep in mind you will have to buy SOFTWARE too, and probably a RAM upgrade and at least a small inkjet printer. 3) Absolutely. Get an ethernet hub (or a multi port router if you want to be able to share internet access, and yes you do). 4) Join a mac users group in you area.

For upgrading Netscape to version 7 or Internet Explorer to 5.1, you should simply download them, and then install them, without any problems with any of your other setup. You shouldn't have issues unless the programs cough on moving your address books or bookmarks, but even then the old IE and Netscape should still be where they were on your computer and function (in other words you can run both Netscape 4.5 and 7 on the same computer, etc.).

DO NOT USE NETSCAPE 6 OR 7. If you must use a Netscape variant, use Mozilla. It's far better than anything with the Netscape brand name on it. p

Thank you all so far for your input. Greatly appreciated. dcd

Id like to add there are progrqams allowing you to have multiple os's available, so if you set up clone of the first one for testing installations and weeding bugs out, then when finally installing on main os should go a lot smoother. And funny bout Netscape- my isp wont even support any NS browsers after netscape got bought out by AOL (6 and up) Theyre happy with my using 4X tho

"Supported" and "will work with" are two totally different things. p