SheepShaver

SheepShaver is an Open Source PowerPC MacOS run-time environment. That is, it enables you to run PowerPC Classic MacOS software on your computer, even if you are using a different operating system. However, you still need a copy of MacOS and a PowerMacintosh ROM image to use this program. SheepShaver is distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL).

If you are using a PowerPC-based system, applications will run at native speeds (i.e. without any emulation involved). On other systems, SheepShaver provides the first PowerPC G4 emulator, though without MMU, to enable the execution of MacOS Classic. Performance with the current CPU emulator using basic just-in-time (JIT) translation techniques is roughly 1/8-th of native speeds.

The following platforms are currently supported: Linux (i386, ppc, x86_64), MacOS X (i386, ppc), Darwin, NetBSD 2.0, FreeBSD 5.3 and Windows for x86. Please note that I am pretty careless of the Windows version since I am not a Windows developer. You are heartly invited to join the effort!

Note: This webspace contains precompiled binaries and sources snapshots extracted from development CVS to ease testing until a formal release is available.

Recent updates: [ 2006/05/15 -- New snapshot | Some news ]

• SheepShaver runs MacOS 7.5.2 thru MacOS 9.0.4
• PowerPC G4 emulation on non-PowerPC platforms, direct execution otherwise
• Basic but portable JIT engine (x86, x86_64, mips)
• Copy and paste of text between MacOS and the host OS
• File exchange with the host OS via a Unix icon on the Mac desktop
• Color video display with support for run-time resolution switching
• Run-time depth switching from 1 bpp to current host depth settings
• Native QuickDraw 2D acceleration for BitBlt and FillRect operations
• CD-quality stereo sound output
• Networking: SheepShaver supports Internet and LAN networking via Ethernet and PPP with all Open Transport compatible MacOS applications

• SheepShaver 2.3-Pre (14.May.2006)

  • Linux/i586 (glibc 2.2, gcc 3.2.X, RPM)
  • Linux/x86_64 (glibc 2.3, gcc 3.4.X, RPM)
  • MacOS X (Universal Binary)
  • Windows NT 4/2000/XP (SDL, ZIP)

  • Sources: [ tar.bz2 ] [ rpm ]

• Older releases

• Note to Windows users: you will also need SDL 1.2 libraries and a GTK+2 Runtime.

• If you have a question, please search the FAQ first.
• A Help Center is also work-in-progress thanks to a group of volunteers.
• Several community forums are available: Emaculation ; Delphi Forums for MacEmulation and Basilisk II / SheepShaver.