gooberpeas

Q: OS Numbers versus OS Names

Does anyone know where we can find some type of conversion chart that can be used to convert OSX version numbers, such as OSX 10.6.8, to the "Name" that many use, such as "Mountain Lion", Mavericks", etc., etc. When we go to the "About This Mac" under the Apple, we can easily see the OSX version number, but the name is not provided. What is the name for OSX 10.6.8? What is the version number for "Mavericks"? And the list goes on and on! Very confusing! Why doesn't Apple include the name (under the Apple menu) if that's what we're going to be using?

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Mar 7, 2015 9:42 AM

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Q: OS Numbers versus OS Names

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  • by Kappy,Helpful

    Kappy Kappy Mar 7, 2015 9:48 AM in response to gooberpeas
    Level 10 (271,338 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 7, 2015 9:48 AM in response to gooberpeas

    It is displayed by About This Mac:

     

    Screen Shot 2015-03-07 at 12.45.20 PM.png

     

    10.10     Yosemite

    10.9       Mavericks

    10.8     Mountain Lion

    10.7     Lion

    10.6     Snow Leopard

    10.5     Leopard

    10.4     Tiger

    10.3     Panther

    10.2     Jaguar

  • by Sparkleberry,

    Sparkleberry Sparkleberry Mar 7, 2015 9:51 AM in response to gooberpeas
    Level 4 (3,110 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 7, 2015 9:51 AM in response to gooberpeas

    gooberpeas wrote:

     

    Does anyone know where we can find some type of conversion chart that can be used to convert OSX version numbers, such as OSX 10.6.8, to the "Name" that many use, such as "Mountain Lion", Mavericks", etc., etc. When we go to the "About This Mac" under the Apple, we can easily see the OSX version number, but the name is not provided. What is the name for OSX 10.6.8? What is the version number for "Mavericks"? And the list goes on and on! Very confusing! Why doesn't Apple include the name (under the Apple menu) if that's what we're going to be using?

    Also see here

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Mac_OS

  • by gooberpeas,

    gooberpeas gooberpeas Mar 7, 2015 10:20 AM in response to Sparkleberry
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 7, 2015 10:20 AM in response to Sparkleberry

    Thank you, that helps, however, it would be much more convenient if Apple would drop the names and just use the version numbers. The hierarchy of the various versions are much easier to relate to when referring to numbers instead of names. By the way, when I go to the "About This Mac" under the Apple menu, we see the OSX version number (10.6.8 in my case) but not the name as you suggested. Thanks again!

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Mar 7, 2015 10:23 AM in response to gooberpeas
    Level 10 (271,338 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 7, 2015 10:23 AM in response to gooberpeas

    Exactly what do you see? Post a screen shot:

     

    To post screen shot do this:

     

    1. Press COMMAND-SHIFT-4 which will change the cursor to crosshairs.
    2. Hold down the mouse button and use the crosshairs to select the part of the screen you wish to capture.
    3. Release the button and the image will be saved to your Desktop.
    4. Click on the Camera icon in the toolbar of the forum message editor.
    5. Drag the image onto the Choose File button and click on the Insert button.
  • by Sparkleberry,

    Sparkleberry Sparkleberry Mar 7, 2015 10:25 AM in response to gooberpeas
    Level 4 (3,110 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 7, 2015 10:25 AM in response to gooberpeas

    gooberpeas wrote:

     

     

    Thank you, that helps, however, it would be much more convenient if Apple would drop the names and just use the version numbers. The hierarchy of the various versions are much easier to relate to when referring to numbers instead of names. By the way, when I go to the "About This Mac" under the Apple menu, we see the OSX version number (10.6.8 in my case) but not the name as you suggested. Thanks again!


    it would be much more convenient if Apple would drop the names and just use the version numbers.

    vs

    "When we go to the "About This Mac" under the Apple, we can easily see the OSX version number, but the name is not provided."



     

    That seems to be the exact opposite of your original question, gooberpeas. I need more coffee

     

  • by gooberpeas,

    gooberpeas gooberpeas Mar 7, 2015 10:31 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 7, 2015 10:31 AM in response to Kappy

    Thanks Kappy, but I wasn't asking about screen shots.

  • by gooberpeas,

    gooberpeas gooberpeas Mar 7, 2015 10:36 AM in response to Sparkleberry
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 7, 2015 10:36 AM in response to Sparkleberry

    Actually, it's the same question and complaint. We see references to the various Mac Operating System Names and I just wanted a convenient job aid that would convert an OSAX Name into an OSX Version number, and vice versa. And you provided it!

  • by gmorgjr,

    gmorgjr gmorgjr Nov 25, 2015 7:31 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 25, 2015 7:31 PM in response to Kappy

    Hi Kappy, I totally agree with gooberpeas.  It is highly frustrating to track the OS names to the numbers.  For example, I'm trying to migrate to a new macbook pro from my older mac air,  and it only shows numbers.  The entire discussion from Apple on migration is about names, if you're using mavericks, do it this way, if mountain lion  that way--please see this here:  Move your content to a new Mac - Apple Support.  It is a challenge.  I know how to do a screen shot, let's see if I can attach what my about this mac saysScreen Shot 2015-11-25 at 7.25.42 PM.png

    So I have 10.9.5, not Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion etc. 

     

    It does cause a lot of confusion out here.  I just bought the new macbook pro today, I have no idea what the name of the operating system is, nor anyway to find out other than search the internet and find the list you kindly provided us.

    Anyway, just an FYI.

     

    Cheers,

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Nov 26, 2015 6:49 AM in response to gmorgjr
    Level 6 (19,597 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 26, 2015 6:49 AM in response to gmorgjr

    ,

     

    You have Mavericks 10.9

     

    You can Google "os x names and numbers" and you will get several hits on translations.  The Wikipedia links are most likely the best, as they are bound to be kept up to date:

    <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OS_X>

    <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_OS_X>

     

    And yes, unless you are a long time Macintosh user/follower, it can be difficult to know the name/number pairing.  I have a similar problem with Ubuntu and Android releases.  They have these names that do not mean anything to me, because I am not a follower of those camps.  I can see how the same would be true for OS X releases. 

     

    Lucky for me, Google has translations for Ubuntu and Android if I ever want to figure it out.

  • by gmorgjr,

    gmorgjr gmorgjr Nov 26, 2015 11:27 AM in response to BobHarris
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 26, 2015 11:27 AM in response to BobHarris

    HI Bob,

     

    Yes, it is somewhat amusing how some of us are supposed to be able to know that 10.9.5 means Mavericks, etc.  I did notice that Apple has added this name onto this yosemite version.  Well, this is the age of geekoidisms, and heres another one.

     

    Not only is it fortunate that searches are so easy to do now, but now it is almost a necessity to get through the day. 

     

    Anyway, thanks for your comment, I appreciated it and enjoyed it.

  • by MrHoffman,

    MrHoffman MrHoffman Nov 26, 2015 4:37 PM in response to gmorgjr
    Level 6 (15,627 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 26, 2015 4:37 PM in response to gmorgjr

    gmorgjr wrote:

     

    I have no idea what the name of the operating system is, nor anyway to find out other than search the internet and find the list you kindly provided us.

     

    I'd normally suggest sending a suggestion to Apple about this, but — starting with OS X 10.10 Yosemite — you'll get both the version and the name in the About This Mac display.  So "fixed in next release".   At least for the newer stuff, and the older releases will fade out sooner or later.

  • by barbara jade,

    barbara jade barbara jade Feb 25, 2016 1:04 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 25, 2016 1:04 PM in response to Kappy

    Thank you. No alignment between version names and numbers is most user-unfriendly! I appreciate the help.

    Barbara