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Macintosh Reference Documentation

One thing that has changed since I started playing with old hardware in the late 90s early 2000s is how much information is now available online due to the effort of archivists who support the Internet Archive’s and Google’s efforts to scan old books, magazines, CD-ROMs and DVDs.

Often when I can’t find details through internet searches I’m able to find what I need by searching/browsing scans of these archived sources.   This page contains links to some of the more useful information I’ve found, and information I’ve extracted from CD-ROMs and DVDs and posted on my own site.

The focus of this page is the sources of documentation and other information sources for pre-2000s Macintosh Systems that I’ve written about or referenced on my site.

Published by Apple

Books, binders, newsletters, bulletins and CD-ROMs published by Apple Computer for the various user groups (Logos taken from Apple’s Groups and Interests site: 1997-07-15)

For Apple Computer Users and User Groups

Apple’s User Group Website (1998-05-09)

User manuals for early systems:

Special Options and Technical Information: classic, IIfx, LC

Apple Product Catalogs: 1986, Summer 1993, Fall 1993

Apple Resource Guide (914-0748-A)

1985 to Present Apple’s Technical Information Library: although it was primarily created for Technicians, a subset was also made available to the public. I heavily reference these articles in my site, and have created a table that cross references the original TIL/KB IDs with the TA IDs that apple later used.

1990 to 1991 Apple QuickConnect Newsletter for Apple Users Groups

1988 AppleLink Personal Edition (later renamed Amercia Online): a dial-in service available to end-users based on, and eventually replacing the originally AppleLink service launched in 1985 that was only available to Apple employees and dealers and later Apple University Consortium members. The service is long gone, but I was able to find scans of:

1991 Apple’s the Macintosh System 7 Networking Reference: is a resource for learning how to use the networking capabilities of your Macintosh computer. Your Macintosh comes with many networking features already built-in, so you can begin to use these features almost immediately. This book shows you how to set up your computer on a network, helps you understand what you can do when connected to a network, and gives you step-by-step instructions on how to use the networking features of your Macintosh.

1994 to 1997 Apple’s Information Alley: a bimonthly (twice a month) electronic newsmagazine targeting Apple computer users to help them get full use of their Apple computers, peripherals, and software. Provides copies of the original versions of TIL articles published during that time (vs. modified versions available later on Apple’s site).

1996 Apple Market Center Solutions (seminars.apple.com): a series of national solutions seminars. These seminars cover a broad range of solutions including Internet, Mobility, and Servers, Small Business and Learning, Publishing and New Media, Scientific, Engineering and Design markets.

1996 Apple’s Solutions website (solutions.apple.com): A list of Apple’s various sites for all markets:

  • Apple Servers  This site is your guide to the Apple Server family and the many solutions they provide.
  • The Apple Media Program: This site is your gateway to multimedia at Apple Computer.
  • K-12 Education Solutions for preschools through high schools located in the United States.
  • The Apple Virtual Campus redefines the higher education community.
  • Apple Computer’s Disability Resources Online is committed to making computer technology that meets the special needs of children and adults with disabilities.
  • If you’re a small business owner, employee, we’ve built this site with you in mind
  • Apple’s Computer Science Engineering & Design‘s (SED) web site you’ve discovered intelligent life on the web.
  • Youth Central’s an Apple sponsored site “by kids for kids” at http://youthcentral.apple.com/.
  • The Apple Library publishes the Apple Library Users Group Newsletter and Macintoshed Libraries to connect library customers with other libraries and librarians using Apple products.
  • Apple Mobility Solutions: High performance, easy-to-use communications, expandability, enhanced multimedia, and cross-platform compatibility are what the newest Apple Macintosh PowerBook computers are about.
  • Apple Authorized Value Added Resellers are a valuable resource for providing Apple technology based solutions custom fit to your business needs.
  • Apple’s Enterprise Solutions Web site provides the latest information on Apple products, technologies, solutions, and more…for large business and government customers.
  • The Apple Solution Professionals Network (ASPN) is a network of professionals – experts who specialize in computer solutions.
  • Mailing lists: We run a number of mailing lists on this site. To get more information about these lists, subscribe or unsubscribe to the lists or check the status of your subscriptions, use our World Wide Web Mailing List web site.

1998 The Apple User Group Program website (www.apple.com/usergroups): valuable information, resources, and contacts for Apple user groups leaders, members, and prospective members. Unfortunately the User Group Bulletin (AUGB) mailing list (webx.lists.apple.com) was members only.

1999 and 2000 Apple’s Software Recovery CDs: The Apple Software Recovery CDs, a four volume set, were designed to provide users with a complete and efficient tool for disaster recovery, software installation, and maintenance. I found these CDs, in addition to Apple’s Developer CDs and Apple’s Restoration CDs, to be extremely useful for setting up my 68k Macintosh Systems and you will see them referenced in many of my guides.

For Educators and the Education market

1997 Apple in Higher Education (hed.info.apple.com): The Apple Higher Education Learning Community is where educational customers can meet to find out how Apple products and technologies can help institutions enhance today’s learning opportunities and advance tomorrow’s educational innovations.

1997 Apple Higher Education Learning Community (ed.info.apple.com): It is our goal is to create an engaging education community for interactive learning and collaboration, through the Apple Higher Education Community Connection

1999 Apple Learning Interchange website (ali.apple.com): ALI members have access to the many exciting tools and opportunities that ALI offers. These include participating in: online forums and chats; online projects; staff development courses; newsletters; and sharing your ideas, lessons and favorite Internet resources with your colleagues.

1999 Apple Store for education (www.apple.com/education): Apple products configured for and marketed to educators and the education market.

For Application Developers

Apple’s Developer World Website (1997-06-15)

1984 to 1995 Inside Macintosh (original and new): these books provided guidance and examples for application developers about the features, routines, and services available in the Macintosh Operating System for interacting with and managing Memory, Files, Sound, Toolbox etc.

1985 to Present Apple’s Technical Q&As and Technical Notes: provides sample code, and answers to common questions for application developers with references to other Apple documentation such as inside Macintosh.

1985 to 2008 Apple’s Developer Newsletters: published initially as Outside Macintosh, then renamed Outside Apple, then renamed to Apple Direct, then Apple Directions and finally to Apple Developer News, these Newsletters were targeted towards Apple’s developer community, providing articles written by Apple employees, with regular columns from the Software Product Management, Market Intelligence, and International groups. The later news letters provided reviews and descriptions of the contents Apple’s Developer Series CD-ROMs. Those CDs include electronic copies of the the Developer newsletters, Develop Journals (and sample code), and Inside Apple (original and new).

1986 to ? Apple Programmer’s and Developer’ Association Newsletter / Information Catalog (APDAlog): The Information Catalog for Apple Programmers and Developers. Winter 1989, April 1991

1989 to 2007 Apple’s Developer CD Series: following the release of Apple’s first CD-ROM drive in 1988 (the AppleCD SC), Apple began distributing software updates and technical information about it’s products on CD. In addition to downloading these for my own use, I am including links to online sources to make it easier for others to find these CDs and I’ve included links to the relevant Apple Direct/Directions articles that describe the contents of each CD. I have found these CDs incredibly useful for learning about and setting up these old systems.

1990 to 1997: Apple’s Develop Journal: providing information about new functionality in the Macintosh Operating Systems and Libraries, and sample code for how to develop applications for Apple computers. The sample code is available on Apple’s Developer Series CD-ROMs. Starting in 1998 the develop journal became a section in MacTech.

1996 to 1997: Apple Development Catalogs: The premier source of Apple-labeled tools, books and technical resources for development on all Apple platforms. I found these catalogs to be very useful for finding URLs I could use in the way back machine to find cached versions of Apple’s sites, and to find out what documents were being published at the time the catalog was published

1996 Apple Developer Services and Products (dev.info.apple.com), 1997: These World Wide Web pages are created and maintained by Apple Computer for Apple developers. They contain information provided by Apple to help you develop applications and solutions. All the content on these pages and on our ftp site can also be found on AppleLink and the Developer CD Series. These products can be ordered through the Apple Developer Catalog.

1997 Apple’s Developer World Website (devworld.apple.com): Site providing resources for the developers of Apple software and hardware, it hosted the Apple Developer News that was the final version of the Apple’s Developer Newsletters, the Technical Q&As, Technical Notes, Sample Code, electric copies of Inside Macintosh, the develop Magazine and other information

1997 Apple Developer Catalog Online (devcatalog.apple.com):  the premier source of Apple-labeled tools, books and technical resources for development on all Apple platforms. And now you can use the convenience of the World Wide Web to browse through our catalog and place your orders. Unfortunately a membership was required so there is not very much in the way back machine, but the thumbnail images for several of the books were cached.

For Technicians and Hardware Developers

Apple’s Service Source Website (1996-11-22)

1982 to 1992: Apple Service Technical Procedures: From 1982 to present Apple has published a significant amount of documentation for use by the technicians and hardware developers who repaired Apple hardware and/or designed new hardware components in the Apple Service Technical Procedures Binders.

1985 to present Apple’s Technical Information Library: provides articles that describe technical product specifications, product compatibility information, how to setup and interface products, answers to commonly asked questions, clarifications and updates to manuals, descriptions of known problems and workarounds (if they exist). Later renamed to Apple’s Knowledge base, and then Apple Support.

1985 to 1997 AppleLink (later renamed Amercia Online): essentially a early BBS that was originally only available to Apple employees and dealers and later Apple University Consortium members. See AppleLink Personal Edition above for links to CDs and the AppleLink Personal Edition newsletter.

1990 to 1992 Apple Technical Information Source CDs: contain copies of the Technical Information Library in HyperCard format, Developer Notes for many of the Apple Systems and other information resources, installers for Apple System software and peripheral software, updates for third party software, utilities and more.

1990 to 1997 Apple Service Guides: A series of supplemental booklets that help Apple certified technicians troubleshoot and repair Apple products at customer’s sites. The Apple Service Guide series contains information condensed from a number of Apple Service products and sources, it includes only need-to-know information for the experienced technician. These guides to NOT replace the Apple Service Source CDs.

Apple Service Source Logo

1992 to 1997 Apple Service Source CDs: contain comprehensive troubleshooting and repairing information on Apple products, as well as Apple Authorized Service Provider Program information. They were a primary resource for technicians and administrative personnel about Apple service. These CDs are an extremely useful source of technical details about 80s and 90s Macintosh Systems.

1993 to 1998 AppleFacts: Concise guides to Apple computers, printers, displays, and other Apple products. AppleFacts was a convenient, one-stop reference for basic technical information, such as key product specifications, upgrade paths, and accessories. Also includes information on Apple software and occasionally 3rd party software. Replaced in 1999 by AppleSpec a web based searchable database.

1994 to 1997 Restoration CDs for Market Software (16 CDs): User Guide, Restoring software can be particularly difficult when third-party applications are bundled with the customers unit at the time of sale. Specifically designed for this situation, the Apple Restoration CDs for Market Software come complete with the correct version of system software and all the original applications that were bundled for specific markets or promotions. I haven’t found much information about this online other than the TIL article KB016250 that lists the contents of the first 10 CDs, and page 36 of the Apple Service Guide Macintosh Computers Volume V that lists the contents of the first 12 CDs. I personally found disk 6 to be very useful. It contains a copy of a DOS volume for use with DOS/PC compatibilities cards that contains DOS 6.22 and Windows 3.1

1994 to 1997 Restoration CDs for System Software Series (7 CDs): Similar to the Restoration CDs for Market Software, but limited to restoring the System Software shipped with the original system. User Guide, Disk 1 September 1994, Disk 2 November 1995, Disk 3 May 1995, Disk 4 August 1996, Disk 5 March 1997, Disk 6 March 1997, Disk 6, v1.1 June 1997

1996 Apple’s Support Information Website (info.apple.com): the parent domain for Apple’s Technical Support libraries including:

1996 Apple’s Support Professional Solution Series: The Support Professional Solution Series is a one year subscription designed to address the complete technical support cycle from support “readiness” to “response”. Software components are cross platform, enabling support for Apple products to be provided from either Macintosh or Windows-based support environments. The referenced brochure from 1996 describes a set of CD-ROMs and documents. I’m not sure if these are different from the existing documents, or a simply rebranding. The photo includes an image of Apple Off-Line, that I have also been trying to track down,

For Apple Computer Resellers and Solution Professionals

Apple’s ASPN Website (1998-05-04)

1986 to 1991 Apple’s AppleGram bulletins: A bulletin produced by Sales Communications in Apple USA and mailed to registered Professional System Consultants that describe new products, changes to existing products, and articles about the use of Macintosh Computers by various industries.

1987 to 1989 Apple’s Information Exchange: was a collection of marketing program descriptions, tip sheets, Apple event schedules, key Apple contacts, Apple trade-show schedules, and other information. It provided readers with an overview of Apple’s marketing direction, as well as outline specific opportunities that readers could take advantage of to help market their Apple-compatible products.

Apple’s VAR site (1998-05-14)

1989 Apple Partner Info-CD: 2 volume CD set created by Apple Dealers in the Netherlands, available on the Macintosh Garden: Volume I 1989, Volume II 1989-10

1989 to 1994 Apple Reference and Presentations Library (ARPL) CDs: to do, became ARPLE (below). Gathers all the standard logos, equipment photos, style manuals and presentations graphics created by various departments within Apple. Internal Editions v1.0 to 8.0, description from CD-ROMs in Print 1998

1990 to 1995: Apple Media Toolkit (AMT) CD: contain printable data sheets, product photography, line art, ad slicks, multimedia files, and more!: Fall 1992 (IA), Spring 1993 (IA, MG), Summer 1993 (IA, MG), Fall 1993 (IA), May 1994 (IA),

1992 to 1995 Apple Computer’s Connectivity Demonstration and Support Network (CDSN) Reference CDs (MG)

1993 to 1998 Apple Service Information Resource (SIR) CDs: The purpose of these CDs was to provide Apple Resellers and other people with a tool which will allow them to support their customers in a more effective way. These CDs do not replace the Apple Technical Guides or CDs but are a good collection of tools which may be needed to diagnose and/or repair a defective Macintosh or other Apple equipment. I have not created a post yet for this, the link is to the Macintosh Repository.

1994 to 1998 Apple Reference, Performance and Learning Expert (ARPLE) CDs: ARPLE CD packages were issued regularly in the ’90s and contained software, user-guides, art libraries, and marketing materials. Became ASMRL (below). 1994 July Partner, 1994 November, 1995 Internal, 1995 Reseller, 1996 Reseller, 1996 Provider, 1997 Providers 1, 2, 3, 1997 Resellers 1, 2, 3, 1998 Internal, 1998 Provider

1995 to 1998 Apple Marketing Toolkit (AMTK) CDs: replaced the Media Toolkit CDs. Volume 9 Nov 1996

1998 Apple Solutions Professionals Network (aspn.apple.com): The Apple Solution Professionals Network (ASPN) is a network of experts who specialize in computer solutions. The ASPN Directory of Consultants provides customers easy access to finding the right solution for their computing needs. Consultants can provide a direct connection to the information and support you need to run your business effectively. The website includes information about the program,

1998 Apple Value Added Reseller (var.apple.com): Apple authorized Value Added Resellers are a valuable resource for providing Apple technology-based solutions custom fit to your business needs. VARs provide complete solutions which include customized (new) hardware and software, specialized expertise, consulting, networking, integration, service, training and/or support.

From the ASMRL site

1998 The Apple Sales and Marching Resource Library website (resourcelibrary.apple.com): This site combines everything from the Apple Reference, Performance, and Learning Expert (ARPLE) and the Apple Marketing ToolKit (AMTK) into a single comprehensive site. Unfortunately most of the site is members only so not much was cached. I was able to find the about page, and information on the various reseller guidelines for use of logos and colours

1998 to 2000: Apple Sales and Marketing Resource Library (ASMRL/ARL) CDs: starting September 1998, the Apple Reference, Performance, and Learning Expert (ARPLE) and Apple Marketing Toolkit (AMTK) CDs were merged in to a single ASMRL CD. March 1999 Provider Edition, October 1999 Provider Edition (photos of disks?)

For Apple Employees

1989 to 1996 Apple Internal Summit, Retreat, Camp, Conference CDs (MG)

1991 to 1995 Apple Internal Site-Licensed Software CDs (MG): The Site Licensed CD-ROM, was initially created as a one-stop shopping source for ATC’s and Apple field employees for easy access to all Site Licensed as well as Apple Labeled Software. The Site Licensed CD offers an easy way to obtain the latest versions of software and providing a cost-effective alternative to downloading the software from DS/Wishing Well icon on AppleLink.

Apple Software Updates

Starting in 1994 Apple began offering software updates and information about it’s products on the Apple.com website. The internet archive‘s way back machine is a very useful tool in finding information that used to be posed on Apple and other websites from 1996 onward.

  • 1996 Apple’s mirror.apple.com site: This server has been set up to provide alternative access to select software archives. For example, the Info-Mac Archive contains a huge selection of Macintosh shareware and freeware, but access is extremely limited. Although there are other sites that mirror the Info-Mac Archive, they can also be difficult to access due to overwhelming loads or time-of-day restrictions. This server provides the Internet community with one more option.
  • 1999 Apple Software updates (asu.info.apple.com): The Apple Software Library is a collection of updaters, utilities, and full software installs to help keep your Apple Products running smoothly. You can locate a particular software file by either searching our library, browsing our hierarchy, or viewing a list of the most recent postings. All software available from this site is covered by the software license agreement included with this software
  • 2002: software updates (what I reference the most)
  • 2005: software updates, manuals
  • 2013: software updates, manuals

Books

Magazines

The internet archive‘s searchable scans of old magazines and newsletters has helped me find information on old hardware and software that existed pre-internet or was produced by a company who’s website was not cached by the way back machine

Websites

2 Comments

  1. pq pq

    Hi.
    I’m doing a clearout, and I have an Apple Service Source CD Jan 1993.

    What should I do with it – can the stuff on it be hosted somewhere?
    Or is it already, in which case this goes in the bin.

    March 6, 2025 Reply
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