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Apple Computer has just released its latest operating system (OS) for the Macintosh. Dubbed Mac OS 9., this latest release offers many improvements to its predecessor, Mac OS 8.6 as well as several new features.

First and foremost is its new Instant Update feature. An OS is comprised of numerous software components. As an OS matures, its developer (in this case Apple) is constantly improving these different elements. Improvements include things like bug fixes and expanding compatibility with a wider range of hardware and software be it Apple's or third party products. But how does one know when an update has been released let alone keep track of all those little software parts? Fortunately, Instant Update has just one big software button. Press it and your computer logs on to Apple's web site, checks to see if something new has been released, compares it to what you already have and if Apple has something newer, downloads it and saves it to your hard drive. This assures you have the latest OS revisions. And if pressing that one big button is too much for you, Instant Update can be configured to perform a check automatically according to a schedule you set up such as daily or weekly.

Keychain is a nifty ability to keep track of all your Internet names and passwords. Normally one has to either remember all those passwords or write them down somewhere for prying eyes to see. Keychain encrypts all of your passwords and is smart enough to know how to issue the proper password to the corresponding web site to which you log on. All you need to remember is just one password, the one for the Keychain.

The sexiest new feature is 9's ability to recognize your voice. You can set 9 up to optionally recognize any spoken password phrase. Only if you speak the proper phrase are you granted entry to your Mac. Others can say the same phrase but the voice print ability can discern if it's you speaking or someone else pretending to be you. Rumor has it if you select the word "Windows" as your entry phrase, it won't let you in...

You can also password-encrypt any individual file. When someone tries to open a protected document, 9 asks for an unlocking password. Locked files now display a tiny key image in its lower left corner.

Improvements to Apple's Internet search program, Sherlock, is now Sherlock 2 which has a cleaner display and lets you chose from eight different channel buttons. The first one lets you search for files on your hard disks. The other seven are for searching different areas or themes. Example of these categories are Shopping, People, News, Apple and Reference. Adding plug-in modules expands the category's ability to search different areas on the Internet. For example, Shopping includes plug-in modules for eBay, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble web sites.

Multiple Users lets different people have their own working environment on the same computer. Differences include having a unique desktop appearance and lets you limit their access to only the programs and files you designate. This is ideal for either a work environment or use at home. The latter lets you give family members access without worrying about their ruining your precious files and programs.

Finally, Mac OS 9 is even faster and allows for even bigger files to exist. A single file can be as large as two terabytes (2000 megabytes). If you're using an earlier version of the Mac OS, then you might want to seriously consider upgrading to Mac OS 9. $99.

Apple Computer www.apple.com