Astro Software for an old Mac

[pmrid (Peter)]

I recently saw an iMac G3, all shiny and blue, in an Op Shop. Couldn't resist it. Got it home to find the CD-Rom was stuffed but otherwise, it ran fine - in OS 9.1. I managed to upgrade that to OS 9.2 but cannot for the life of me get it to upgrade any further. I have OS X 10.2 and 10.3 install discs but - probably because I'm trying to load off an external USB CD/DVD the beast either locks up or gives me an error message.
So assuming I'm stuck with this pretty but seemingly crippled machine, I thought I might see if anyone has any ideas for what astro software I might be able to run on it. Better yet, anyone with an old G3 in the garage who would be willing to scavenge the CD-Rom out of it and sell it to me.

Peter

[snowyskiesau]

Stellarium should run OK on your system.

You may need to compile it though - does your Mac have a C compiler?

[Davros (Lauren)]

I dont think a G3 will run OSX. You would probably need a latter G4 to get it stable.

[pmrid (Peter)]

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

Stellarium should run OK on your system.

You may need to compile it though - does your Mac have a C compiler?

Nah, just the bare OS 9.2. I don't think there's a compiler hidden in there is there? Anyway, a bit like a left-handed sacrewdriver, I wouldn't know how to use it.
Peter

[pmrid (Peter)]

Originally Posted by Davros

I dont think a G3 will run OSX. You would probably need a latter G4 to get it stable.

The Readme 1st files seem to say so. And there's plenty of posts in various Mac fora that speak about running 10.3 and 10.4 on a G3. I'm hoping to find a planetarium program that'll do it - something that doesn't make too many demands on the system - like Cartes de Ciel. Stellarium is very resource-hungry and would really grind on a 350 Mhz machine I'm guessing. Most programs around the ridges seem to require 10.3 as a minimum.
I hate the idea of junking a nice looking bit of kit like this. Seems such a waste.

Peter

[Robh (Rob)]

If OS 10 was not previously installed, I think you may have to upgrade your firmware to go from System 9 to 10. See ...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1395

Regards, Rob