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MacinAI Beta 2.1 - Public Beta

Published: December 1, 2025

Bringing Modern AI to Your Classic Macintosh

Welcome to MacinAI

MacinAI is an AI chat client that brings modern artificial intelligence to vintage Macintosh systems running System 7.5.3 and later. Chat with ChatGPT (GPT-4o-mini) directly from your classic Mac, with full conversation management, AI-controlled system actions, and an authentic System 7 interface.

Beta 2.1 introduces automatic updates, time synchronization, integrated bug reporting, and a built-in beta guide - making future beta testing seamless and effortless.

Current Version: Beta 2.1.0
AI Model: ChatGPT (GPT-4o-mini)
Requirements: System 7.5.3+, Open Transport, 4MB RAM
Download: Beta Repository

What's New in Beta 2.1

Beta 2.1 focuses on beta testing infrastructure and quality of life improvements. After this update, you'll receive all future updates automatically!

Automatic Updates

Time Synchronization

Integrated Bug Reporting

Beta Guide Window

Debug Mode Toggle

Additional Improvements

Complete Feature List

Core Chat Features

Conversation Management

AI System Actions

AI Memory System

Text Editing

Window Management

Settings & Configuration

Demo Video Coming Soon

System Requirements

Installation

First-Time Installation

  1. Download MacinAI Beta 2.1 from the beta repository
  2. Extract to your hard drive (Applications folder recommended)
  3. Double-click MacinAI to launch

First Launch:

Upgrading from Beta 2.0

Upgrading from Beta 1.x

Getting Started

Step 1: Launch MacinAI

On launch, you'll see the splash screen with MacinAI branding. Click anywhere to continue. MacinAI will:

  1. Test connection to the server
  2. Check for available updates
  3. Check if your clock needs synchronization
  4. Open the main chat interface

Step 2: Enable AI System Control (Optional)

To use AI System Actions (launching apps, opening control panels, etc.):

  1. Click the Settings button (gear icon in toolbar)
  2. Find "AI System Control" section
  3. Click "Enable"
  4. Read and accept the warning dialog
  5. Select "System Info + App List" when prompted
  6. Wait for indexing to complete (10-60 seconds)

After indexing, try asking:

Step 3: Start Chatting!

Interface Overview

Toolbar (Top)

Sidebar (Left)

Main Area

Status Bar (Bottom)

Keyboard Shortcuts

FILE MENU
CMD+N         New conversation window
CMD+O         Open conversation file
CMD+S         Save conversation
CMD+SHIFT+S   Save As (export)
CMD+W         Close window
CMD+Q         Quit MacinAI

EDIT MENU
CMD+C         Copy selected text
CMD+V         Paste from clipboard
CMD+X         Cut selected text
CMD+A         Select all text

MESSAGING
ENTER         Send message
SHIFT+ENTER   New line in input

NAVIGATION
TAB           Move between input/output areas
Arrow Keys    Navigate in Beta Guide pages

New Features: How to Use

Automatic Updates

When a new version is available, MacinAI will show an update dialog on launch:

  1. Review the changelog to see what's new
  2. Click "Update Now" to download and install
  3. MacinAI downloads the update and migrates your Conversations folder
  4. The new version launches automatically
  5. You can also click "Remind Later" to defer

Note: After Beta 2.1, you'll never need to manually download updates again!

Time Synchronization

If your Mac's clock differs from server time by more than 90 seconds:

  1. A Time Sync dialog appears
  2. Select your timezone from the dropdown
  3. Review the time difference displayed
  4. Click "Sync" to update your Mac's clock
  5. Verify in the Date & Time control panel

DST Note: After syncing, verify your location in the Date & Time control panel (Map section) for automatic DST adjustments.

Bug Reporting

To submit a bug report:

  1. Click Apple Menu → About MacinAI
  2. Click "Information" button
  3. Click "Bug Report" button
  4. Fill in the three fields:
  5. Optionally check "Attach Debug Logs" and "Attach Conversation"
  6. Click "Submit"

Tip: Enable Debug Mode in Settings before reproducing bugs for more detailed logs!

Beta Guide

To access the built-in beta guide:

  1. Click Apple Menu → About MacinAI
  2. Click "Information" button
  3. Click "Beta Guide" button
  4. Use Prev/Next buttons or arrow keys to navigate
  5. Click page titles in the sidebar for quick navigation

Guide pages include: What's New, Features to Test, Known Issues, Bug Reporting, Examples, and Coming Next.

Debug Mode

To enable debug logging:

  1. Open Settings dialog
  2. Find "Beta Testing" section
  3. Check "Enable Debug Logging"
  4. Optionally check "Verbose Mode" for detailed logs
  5. Click OK
  6. Restart MacinAI for changes to take effect

Debug logs are saved to the Logs folder next to the application.

What to Test

Critical Priority (Test First!)

  1. Auto-Update - When 2.1.1 is released, verify the update process works
  2. Time Sync - Test timezone selection and clock synchronization
  3. Bug Reporting - Submit a test bug report
  4. AI System Actions - Test launching apps, querying system info
  5. Screen Rendering - Verify NO blanking during scroll/type/resize

High Priority

  1. System 7.5.3 Compatibility - Primary target system
  2. Connection Reliability - Server communication
  3. File Save/Load - Conversation management
  4. Memory Leaks - Long-running stability
  5. Beta Guide Navigation - All 6 pages work correctly

Medium Priority

  1. Mac OS 9 Compatibility - Secondary target system
  2. Multiple Windows - CMD+N functionality
  3. Clipboard Integration - Copy/paste across apps
  4. Large Conversations - 100+ message performance
  5. DST Transition - When DST changes occur

Known Limitations

  1. DNS Lookups - May take 5-10 seconds on vintage hardware
  2. No Message Editing - Can't edit sent messages (by design)
  3. No Search - No conversation search yet (planned)
  4. ASCII Text - Best results with standard ASCII
  5. ChatGPT Only - Other AI models planned for future
  6. No Undo - Edit menu Undo is disabled
  7. No Streaming - Responses appear all at once
  8. Full Index Not Implemented - Only "System Info + App List" works for indexing
  9. Time Sync Emulator Issues - May not work correctly in SheepShaver/Basilisk II

Troubleshooting

"Connection Failed" Error

  1. Check server address in Settings (should be ai.oldapplestuff.com)
  2. Verify network connectivity (can you browse the web?)
  3. Confirm TCP/IP control panel has DNS servers configured
  4. Try using IP address instead of hostname

Update Download Fails

  1. Ensure stable network connection
  2. Try again - network timeouts can occur
  3. Check you have enough disk space (~500KB)
  4. Manually download from beta repository if needed

Time Sync Shows Wrong Time

  1. Verify your timezone selection is correct
  2. Check Date & Time control panel Map section
  3. Note: Emulators may not sync correctly - use real hardware
  4. If PRAM battery is dead, sync may not persist

AI Can't Launch Apps

  1. Verify AI System Control is enabled in Settings
  2. Check "Status: Indexed" appears in Settings
  3. Verify you selected "System Info + App List" during indexing
  4. Try asking "What apps do I have?" to verify catalog uploaded

Bug Report Won't Submit

  1. Ensure you have network connectivity
  2. Fill in all three text fields
  3. Try unchecking "Attach Debug Logs" if logs are very large
  4. Use the manual bug reporting method below

How to Report Issues

Preferred Method: Use the built-in Bug Report feature (About → Information → Bug Report)

Alternative Methods:

Good Bug Reports Include:

  1. What you were doing - Step-by-step actions
  2. What happened - Exact error message or behavior
  3. What you expected - What should have happened
  4. Your system - Mac model, System version, memory
  5. Can you reproduce it? - Does it happen every time?

Privacy & Data

What MacinAI Stores Locally:

What Gets Sent to Server:

What Does NOT Leave Your Mac:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which AI model does MacinAI use?
A: Currently ChatGPT (GPT-4o-mini). Other models are planned for future releases.

Q: Will MacinAI update automatically now?
A: Yes! After installing Beta 2.1, all future updates are automatic. MacinAI checks for updates on launch.

Q: Is there a message limit?
A: No message limits during the beta testing period!

Q: Does MacinAI work offline?
A: You can read saved conversations offline (read-only), but can't send new messages.

Q: Can I run multiple conversations at once?
A: Yes! Use CMD+N to open additional windows.

Q: Why does Time Sync prompt me on launch?
A: MacinAI checks if your clock differs from server time by more than 90 seconds. This ensures accurate timestamps.

Q: Is AI System Control safe?
A: Yes. AI can only perform actions you could do yourself. Power management (shutdown/restart) requires confirmation dialogs.

Q: Can I disable AI System Control later?
A: Yes. Go to Settings and click "Disable". Your system catalog will be deleted from the server.

Q: What's the .oas file format?
A: "Old Apple Stuff" - plain text files with metadata header. Open with any text editor.

Q: Why is connection testing slow?
A: DNS lookups on vintage Mac OS are synchronous and can take 5-10 seconds. This is normal.

Coming Next

Features planned for future beta releases:

Credits

Development: Alex Hoopes

Icon Design: Janez J. Starc

Testing Community: Old Apple Stuff Beta Testers

Thank You!

Your testing helps make MacinAI better for the entire vintage Mac community. With Beta 2.1's automatic updates and integrated bug reporting, providing feedback is easier than ever.

Every bug report, suggestion, and piece of feedback contributes to creating the best possible AI chat experience for classic Macintosh systems.

Happy testing!

- Alex Hoopes
alex@oldapplestuff.com

Quick Reference Card

NEW IN BETA 2.1
================
- Automatic Updates (one-click)
- Time Synchronization (27 timezones, DST support)
- Integrated Bug Reporting
- Beta Guide Window (6 pages)
- Debug Mode Toggle
- System Power Call Handling
- About Dialog Info Button

KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
===================
CMD+N         New conversation
CMD+S         Save conversation
CMD+SHIFT+S   Save As
CMD+O         Open file
CMD+W         Close window
CMD+Q         Quit

CMD+C         Copy
CMD+V         Paste
CMD+X         Cut
CMD+A         Select All

ENTER         Send message
SHIFT+ENTER   New line

AI SYSTEM COMMANDS
===================
"Open SimpleText"           Launch application
"Show TCP/IP settings"      Open control panel
"What apps do I have?"      Query system
"Restart my Mac"            Power management
"What's my RAM?"            System information

STATUS BAR COLORS
==================
Green  = Online (all OK)
Yellow = Degraded (1 failure)
Orange = Failing (2 failures)
Red    = Offline (3+ failures)

ACCESSING NEW FEATURES
======================
Bug Report:  About → Information → Bug Report
Beta Guide:  About → Information → Beta Guide
Debug Mode:  Settings → Beta Testing section
Time Sync:   Automatic on launch (if needed)
Updates:     Automatic on launch (if available)

MacinAI Beta 2.1.0
Released: December 1, 2025
AI Model: ChatGPT (GPT-4o-mini)
Icon Design: Janez J. Starc

© 2025 Old Apple Stuff

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What CPU powered the original Macintosh?

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What is 7 - 4?

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