What's this?
Mac GUI Vault is an attempt to create an authoritative compendium
of all vintage Apple II and Macintosh software, photos, manuals, and other
information from 1978 up until roughly 1998 or so. Key features include: rather
large database of downloads, which are easy to search; a library of textual
information, such as manuals, also indexed for searching; collection of photos,
for both informative and nostalgic purposes. All of this information is hosted
on Mac GUI's servers in an attractive format, so we don't have to worry about
someone's site disappearing to which we've linked some files.
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Why? What's the point?
If you can't understand what the interest is, then chances are
you've never experienced the joy of using a 20-30 year old Apple computer.
For everyone else, there are quite a few people still interested
in retro computing (emulators have helped) and I think that a big archive
is just what the Retro Apple community needs.
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Is this all free? What's the catch?
Yes, this is all free, as it should be. The only catch (and this
is a small one) is that a small number of files and other materials require
a Mac GUI City account in order to access or download. Mac GUI is just a regular
Apple Mac site (nothing weird), so if you don't have an account, go ahead
and sign up. Also, if you want to contribute your own files and information,
a Mac GUI account is preferred, but not required. For more information on contributions,
see a further FAQ entry.
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Where do I start?
Well, just pick a route and go there. All the information and
files are logically organized and cross-indexed. If you have an Apple II,
start in that section. If you're looking for Macintosh text files, start in
the Knowledge Base. If you don't know where to look, use the search! It is
really quite useful, so if you have even the foggiest idea of what you're
looking for, then search it out.
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I need help finding a file.
Well, first of all, you don't have to manually research every
single page in Vault. You can use the Search function. If you have done all
of this and still have no luck, send an email to dog_cow@macgui.com If the
file exists, I'll send a reply and give you the exact location. If not, then
I'll scavenge around for it, and add it so others can find it as well.
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Is there a limit on downloading files?
No. The whole point of Mac GUI Vault is to make these files and
information available to as many people as possible. Though if you have a
web site, you may want to see the below FAQ entry.
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Can I link to these files on my site?
Yes, but there are two points: 1.) You may consider uploading
the files to your own server. See the below FAQ entry for more info. 2.) If
you plan on having a lot of traffic (i.e., a lot of people clicking the links
to Vault) OR if there simply is a huge level of traffic, then please send
an email to dog_cow@macgui.com to let me know. You won't get "blocked"
by sending me an email explaining the situation. However, you have a much
higher chance of getting "blocked" if you don't send me
an email about the linkage AND are using up several Gigabytes a day. Otherwise,
if you run a small-time site, then don't worry about it. Chances are, no one
will notice. Again, the whole point of Vault is to distribute these files.
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How can I mirror/download the complete archive?
Yes, you can, but don't do it by downloading every single file.
If you want a nice archive on CD, simply send an email to dog_cow@macgui.com
with a mailing address and I can burn a CD to send to you for free. If you
have a server on which you'd like to mirror the archive, then send an email
to that same address, and we can setup a mirror.
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How can I contribute?
Thanks for asking. You can help in a few ways. Two, really. You
can either: 1.) Provide further information to what is already available,
such as expanding upon a description or some text already written OR 2.) you
can provide new files which are not in the archive. If you have some files
or photos that aren't included, please consider contributing them. But make
sure they aren't already in Vault. Having duplicate is a rather huge problem
when one is dealing with over 5,000 files. Do a search and see if the file
exists. In any case, or if you are unsure, send email to dog_cow@macgui.com
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I need some beginners' information. What should I do?
If you haven't used an Apple in awhile, or if you're totally new,
then Mac GUI Vault can help. In the Knowledge Base are tutorials for the Apple
II and the Mac. Just pick the right one and follow along.
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How big is the archive?
There are currently just under 29,000 files which consume a few Gigabytes of disk space.
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Is the archive backed-up regularly?
Yes, it is. Everything online is an exact mirror of what resides on a local Macintosh. The contents of the archive are also periodically backed-up on to optical media or another hard drive. If you would like a full copy of the archive, see an above FAQ entry.
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What about Apple III or the Lisa?
Well, what about the Apple I or Newton? The fact is, neither of these four
Apple computers made such a big impact as the Apple II and Macintosh, and
thus, they are not featured in Mac GUI Vault. We're not eliminating them;
we're just not focusing on them. If the demand gets big enough, then maybe
some new sections will be opened, but nothing yet!
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Can I ask a general Apple or Mac question?
If you can't find an answer in Vault, then post a message on the
forums or you can send me an email to dog_cow@macgui.com
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Is this legal?
This question is hard to answer since a.) I'm not a lawyer, and
b.) the law regarding computers is subject to interpretation. Overall, the
vast majority of files in Vault were released (and hence, still remain)
as freeware, shareware, or public domain. This meant that the author wanted
these files to propagate as widely as possible, via the BBS's of the day,
user groups, and other distribution methods which still exist today.
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What are the newest files in Vault?
I've set 1998 to be the cut-off year. That should ensure that
all files in Vault are at least 10 years old. There is one exception to the
"1998 Rule" and that is applications and files which are supplementary,
such as emulators and file-transfer utilities, providing that they are released
as shareware or freeware. Otherwise, the rule remains in place.
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How can I contact you?
Send an email to dog_cow@macgui.com
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I've found a mistake. What do I do?
If you've found some incorrect information, a missing file, or
some other error within Vault, either click the nearest 'Report' link, or
send an email to dog_cow@macgui.com to explain the mistake.
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How would I go about making a donation?
If you just want to send money, well that's very nice, but I'm
in the happy position of not needing any more money at this point. On the
other hand, if you've got vintage Apple or Mac gear that you no longer want,
you can send it to me. It'll have a loving home and will be featured in the
Vault Museum (with all the other photos of the collection). Send me an email
to dog_cow@macgui.com for more info.
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Can I ask one last question?
Sure, post in the forums or send an email to dog_cow@macgui.com
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