My System 7 software choices

System 7 is a great operating system. The experience using it today remains very close to modern macOS. It’s surprising how little has changed on our Desktop in the 30 years since. That said, the experience can be improved with the judicious use of additional software.

When adding things to the system my goal is always to increase quality of life and improve user experience. Functionality is key and nothing is added without careful consideration. If I can install one package to add several functions I’d rather do that than add several individual packages. If I can install software to match modern macOS features or muscle memory then I’ll do so.

Below are my personal choices that improve my time spent using System 7.

Control Panels

• Better Edit Keys - adds modern text editing and selection keyboard controls, such as the ability to grow the selection by word
• Capture - screen grabbing software
• Capture AE - logger for Apple Events calls
• Desktop Makeover - provides custom Finder features such as menu shortcuts, enhanced diskette icons, allows you to hide Balloon Help
• DragAnyWindow - adds solid dragging of any window, apps can be excluded
• Hidden Finder Features - enables hidden Finder keyboard shortcuts to create aliases by dragging, reveal alias original, and move file to Trash
• KeyQuencer - macro and automation utility, the ultimate tool for power-users
• PopupFolder - allows access to folder contents from hierarchical pop-up menu without having to drill down into folders
• QuicKeys - macro and automation utility, I use it only for composing Apple Event calls
• Smart Scroll - live scrolling and proportionally sized scrollbar thumb
• SmartLaunch - application launcher, I launch this using Cmd+Return KeyQuencer macro
• Snitch - Get Info extender, can do batch type/creator changes by summoning whilst holding Shift
• Symbionts - occasionally used to troubleshoot Control Panels and Extensions
• WindowShade - collapse a window into its title bar by double-clicking
• YesNoCancel - adds modern keyboard control to dialog boxes

Extensions

• 2020Patch - fixes year 2020 date bug
• About - replacement for About This Macintosh window, with task manager features
• Apollo - pop-up menu at any location to select and launch apps
• CopyPaste - multiple clipboard manager, works everywhere but ResEdit!
• DirtyDesk - disables Clean Up Desktop menu item
• Natural Order - improves sorting order in Finder

Text Editors

• Alpha - programmer’s editor, includes TCL scripting
• Anarcho - has a few unique features
• BBEdit - packed with features
• Eddan - has a way to summon THINK References

Word Processors

Take your pick of the best:

• MacWritePro 1.5
• Nisus Writer 4
• Word 5.1
• WordPerfect 3.5
• WriteNow 4

Other Utilities

• CompactPro - file compressor/decompressor
• GraphicConverter - image file converter
• DiskTop - file manager desk accessory
• Greg’s Browser - file manager with StuffIt integration
• MasterFinder - multi-column file manager
• MindExpander - file decompressor
• (Super) ResEdit - resource editor with built-in code viewer
• Resorcerer - resource editor with built-in code viewer
• ShrinkWrap - disk and archiving helper
• ShowSizes - disk usage analyser
• Type Resolve - drag-and-drop type/creator changer

Operating System

• System 7.5.3 plus updates - Apple released this version for free!
• Japanese Language Kit - adds support for Japanese, I use this on a duplicate System folder
• System Picker - choose which system folder to boot from
• AppleScript 1.1 - to enable Finder Scripting on System 7.1

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• Mixing External Tools across Deneba software
• My System 7 software choices
• About the interoperability of System 7 and iOS