Which macOS to choose?

[whiteboard]

Because I didn’t see it mentioned… Have you tried a browser other than Safari? Nothing generally against Safari but not all pages are WebKit or otherwise Safari-friendly.

The latest version of Firefox, for example, is compatible back to Sierra.

Firefox: The fast, private browser that keeps you safe

The independent browser that has your back. Firefox blocks trackers, has a free built-in VPN, puts you in control of AI, and never sells your personal data.

www.mozilla.org

I have tried Firefox, Chrome and Safari and I never get the splash page.

Library tried his ChromeBook and connected.

There was also some guy outside on the phone using the library Wi-Fi.

But I have been able to use my MBP's Wi-Fi at other spots, but the issue is that I want to use it HERE at this particular library!

 

[whiteboard]

To the OP,

If your machine is the issue, it would have issues on any wifi it attempted to access, not just the local library.

True, but it could also be some compatibility issue between my mac and the library's 3rd party software.

I mean just because your browser works on 20 other websites doesn't mean xyz.com will support that same browser.

And for the record, newer OSes tend to add more load to older systems, not the other way around. They don't care about old architecture because they aren't written for old architecture. They assume you are running the latest hardware and are written to maximize that.

So you see no benefit in even trying Mojave?

Your solution isn't a newer OS, or newer hardware, it's a paid wireless plan.

That isn't a solution, because my AT&T mobile hotspot is garbage where I am currently located.

$80/month for 1-bar service in the area.

THAT is why I need to use the library's Wi-Fi!!

 

[EAGuitars]

Sorry gotta disagree. Sometimes, often, in fact, the newer code is more efficient and thereby faster. Sure, SOMETIMES it's bloated but in Mac years that's over a decade... and my Cheesegrater still runs circles around a Ryzen 7 running Windoze, even through Bootcamp! (For that matter, my I7 MbP does too. In the Win world, that is a reality, and part of why they're devalued to nothing in a few years while the OP's 2015 is still quite viable.
It just depends on the version and the focus of that update.

 

[Apple_Robert]

You can install Mojave on an external drive, boot from it and see if it works for you. If it does, install on your machine. You could have answered your own questions with a Mojave install by now. Asking question after question isn' going to get you where you want to be.

 

[whiteboard]

You can install Mojave on an external drive, boot from it and see if it works for you. If it does, install on your machine. You could have answered your own questions with a Mojave install by now. Asking question after question isn' going to get you where you want to be.

Well, people are sending me down all kinds of paths, and I'm not sure what to think.

Mojave vs Big Sur?

An OS update won't fix things?

It's my Mac's fault? The library's fault?

Personally, I think this library has a real fubar for their free Wi-Fi, and apparently no one uses free Wi-Fi here, or they all use Windows and so there aren't any issues.

 

[EAGuitars]

C'mon, Robert. Ease up. He's obviously not a geek, just a typical user and very new. Chances are good he wouldn't know how to boot from an alt drive or partition, let alone how to install the OS on a USB drive. These aren't uncommon newbie questions, and IMO the only dumb ones are the ones ya don't ask for fear of looking (or being made to seem) stupid. Ignorance is teachable. I've been schooling myself for years. 😉

 

[Apple_Robert]

C'mon, Robert. Ease up. He's obviously not a geek, just a typical user and very new. Chances are good he wouldn't know how to boot from an alt drive or partition, let alone how to install the OS on a USB drive. These aren't uncommon newbie questions, and IMO the only dumb ones are the ones ya don't ask for fear of looking (or being made to seem) stupid. Ignorance is teachable. I've been schooling myself for years. 😉

Point taken. I was just trying to help get him focus on accomplishing his goal instead of getting sidetracked with all kinds of questions.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Well, people are sending me down all kinds of paths, and I'm not sure what to think.

Mojave vs Big Sur?

An OS update won't fix things?

It's my Mac's fault? The library's fault?

Personally, I think this library has a real fubar for their free Wi-Fi, and apparently no one uses free Wi-Fi here, or they all use Windows and so there aren't any issues.

Sorry if I sounded curt. I didn't mean to be. I was trying to help get you focused again and went about it the wrong way. My apologies.

 

[iluvmacs99]

Hello. First time poster here.

I have an older retina MacBook Pro running macOS Sierra, and I am thinking it's time to upgrade.

I tend to be a "late adopter" and don't believe the "newest" == "best".

Which macOS would be a good one to switch to, that is drama-free and stable, but that will also last me for a couple of years considering how disruptive it is to have to upgrade?

Also, something that isn't a vast departure from how macOS Sierra works would also be good. (I thought I heard that Apple was trying to make all computers behave like iPads? God I hope that isn't the case!!)


Here are some stats on my rMBP...

- MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)
- Processor: 3.1 GHz Intel Core i7
- Memory: 16 GB 1867 MHz DDR3
- Graphics: Intel Iris Graphics 6100 1536 MB

I'm running Mojave right now with my Macbook Air 2014 which seemed stable and still supports some 32bit apps that I use on this Mac. Support for Mojave is ending this September, so for further security updates, you need to be looking at installing something like Big Sur, but this is purely a 64bit OS that runs only 64bit apps and has the iOS interface look. If you still have 32bit app and drivers, stick with Mojave. Mojave is the last OS that behaves like old school Mac OS. Catalina is the transition as there's no more iTunes and so if you want to keep iTunes, then you need to stick with Mojave.

There's also good support for up-to-date browsers namely Microsoft Edge, Brave and Opera which will allow you to connect to all websites once support ends with Safari this September with Mojave. I use Edge since it is a Microsoft product and so it will connect to many hard to connect websites as it supports Edge which Safari may have trouble connecting.

If you have issues connecting to some websites, then it is possible that your browser certificates are not up to date especially with Sierra and Safari which hadn't been updated for awhile. You need to use something like Microsoft Edge since it is supported in Sierra and is one of the most constantly updated browser for compatibility with most sites which I can't even log on to with Safari. The downside with Sierra is that it IS the minimum required OS to support Microsoft Edge, so you have to upgrade to a more modern OS if you plan on using the Mac for a few more years.

Hopefully Mojave will serve me well into 2023 before I look into upgrading my old aging Macbook Air into one of those Apple Silicon Macbook Air.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Let’s try a different angle.

- I cannot for the life of me connect to the local library's free wifi. (I cannot get the "splash-page" to appear to accept their "Terms & Conditions" and am thinking maybe it is an OS-compatability issue?)

1. Have you seen the process performed successfully on a different machine? That is, do you know what to expect?

2. Assuming yes to the former… By “splash-page,” do you mean a new page/browser window will load or is it a modal type dialog box, one of those Web windows within a window? For example, this:

I ask because there are different problems and solutions for each.

 

[whiteboard]

Sorry if I sounded curt. I didn't mean to be. I was trying to help get you focused again and went about it the wrong way. My apologies.

No worries.

However what I am worried about is not having a phone or email or Internet in 2 days...

 

[whiteboard]

Let’s try a different angle.

1. Have you seen the process performed successfully on a different machine? That is, do you know what to expect?

2. Assuming yes to the former… By “splash-page,” do you mean a new page/browser window will load or is it a modal type dialog box, one of those Web windows within a window? For example, this:


I ask because there are different problems and solutions for each.

Because I have never been able to connect, I cannot say for certain.

In my travels, I don't recall ever seeing a modal popup for "Terms of Service" when accessing free Wi-Fi.

When companies/organizations require you to sign TOS, I've always just seen a new browser window/tab open up when you select the hotspot in your Wi-Fi dropdown list.

 

[whiteboard]

I literally called the major's office this afternoon - per the library's instructions.

The operator was hesitant to transfer me to anyone. Then he turned into wanna be tech support and insisted that the problem was on my end.

One thing he mentioned that was interesting, however, was when he stated that he thought the library only supports 5 Ghz wi-fi cards, and that if my laptop was older - which it is - then he said that could be the issue.

Is there any truth to that?

How do I check what kind/speed Wi-Fi card is in my laptop?

Would that make a difference?

If I have an older/slower card, is there a workaround?

 

[whiteboard]

Let’s try a different angle.

1. Have you seen the process performed successfully on a different machine? That is, do you know what to expect?

2. Assuming yes to the former… By “splash-page,” do you mean a new page/browser window will load or is it a modal type dialog box, one of those Web windows within a window? For example, this:

I ask because there are different problems and solutions for each.

I just found someone at the library with a Windows tablet and I watched her try to re-conect after things timed out.

When she connected, a new window/tab opened in Chrome with legalese and an "I Agree" button.

So it is not a modal pop-up, just a webpage that loads.

Browser providers constantly try and trick people by changing preferences, but as far as I know, I have "Allow pop-ups" turned on, although that shouldn't apply here.

I am really at wits end, plus I don't understand how I can only be getting one bar on an iPhone that is less than a year old.

Is my iPhone and Retina MBP both shot?

Never have I had so much trouble as this week. Haven't been able to make any calls, check email, surf, pay my bills, and it has taken all afternoon to even post here.

This is IT hell.

 

[Boyd01]

Perhaps talk to some other people at the library, ask who their carriers are and see if their phones get better reception in the building? There might be a company that could provide a better hotspot and/or phone plan. Why spend $80/mo for "garbage". 🙂

Aside from that, personally I wouldn't be comfortable using free wifi at a library from a security point of view (especially for extended periods). I always use my phone as a hotspot in public places, never free wifi.

 

[iluvmacs99]

I literally called the major's office this afternoon - per the library's instructions.

The operator was hesitant to transfer me to anyone. Then he turned into wanna be tech support and insisted that the problem was on my end.

One thing he mentioned that was interesting, however, was when he stated that he thought the library only supports 5 Ghz wi-fi cards, and that if my laptop was older - which it is - then he said that could be the issue.

Is there any truth to that?

How do I check what kind/speed Wi-Fi card is in my laptop?

Would that make a difference?

If I have an older/slower card, is there a workaround?

Your 2015 MacBook Retina Pro does support both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz up to WIFI a/b/g/n/AC. The fact that you got into the log-in page confirmed that your Mac laptop supports the 5Ghz band. I believe your issue as I had seen it myself with my own Libary log-in page is that you need the latest security certificates for your OS and web browser in order to get to the terms agreement page. Many sites today had been upgraded to require the most latest security certificates from your OS and web browser due to rampant malware, ransomware and hacking exploitations, so they are protecting their systems on their end expecting that you should have the latest OS and browser. If you are not seeing it and yet it's fine in Windows and Chromebooks show that your OS and browser is too old to support their new security measures. I think what's going on is that, the system tried to establish an https connection, which is encrypted, and detected that your system isn't quite up to specs to support it.

Big Sur will probably be no problem with Safari to access the latest sites, though mine with Mojave and Edge have no issues establishing an https connection.

 

[whiteboard]

Perhaps talk to some other people at the library, ask who their carriers are and see if their phones get better reception in the building? There might be a company that could provide a better hotspot and/or phone plan. Why spend $80/mo for "garbage". 🙂

Aside from that, personally I wouldn't be comfortable using free wifi at a library from a security point of view. I always use my phone as a hotspot in public places, never free wifi.

Because the service seems to be okay everywhere else other than where I am right now.

Because switching carriers means having to cough up your driver's license #, social security #, and a bunch more PII that I will never give out. (I was able to get AT&T to waive those requirements back in the day. Good luck accomplishing that now.)

Switching carriers is worse than switching banks or employers, plus I think they are all ultimately evil...

 

[whiteboard]

Your 2015 MacBook Retina Pro does support both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz up to WIFI a/b/g/n/AC.

So that is good, right?

The fact that you got into the log-in page confirmed that your Mac laptop supports the 5Ghz band.

Um, the whole reason for this thread is that I am *not* able to get to the library's "splash page"...

I believe your issue as I had seen it myself with my own Libary log-in page is that you need the latest security certificates for your OS and web browser in order to get to the terms agreement page.

So that doesn't get updated when I update Firefox/Chrome/Safari? :-/

Many sites today had been upgraded to require the most latest security certificates from your OS and web browser due to rampant malware, ransomware and hacking exploitations, so they are protecting their systems on their end expecting that you should have the latest OS and browser.

The reason Chromebooks work is because they are always automatically updated to the latest OS and security patches.

So your comments imply that my macOS Sierra is very outdated, and apparently I cannot update the SSL certs which are a function of the OS and now my browsers?

Is that what you are saying?

If so, then that seems to point towards me needing to update to at least macOS Mojave, right?

 

[iluvmacs99]

So that is good, right?




Um, the whole reason for this thread is that I am *not* able to get to the library's "splash page"...




So that doesn't get updated when I update Firefox/Chrome/Safari? :-/





So your comments imply that my macOS Sierra is very outdated, and apparently I cannot update the SSL certs which are a function of the OS and now my browsers?

Is that what you are saying?

If so, then that seems to point towards me needing to update to at least macOS Mojave, right?

That's right. Due to COVID and rampant hacking and exploitations, many sites today had been upgraded so only systems with the latest OS and browser can log into it. Some sites look for your operating system and browser "BEFORE" they will even display their splash page, because if they can't establish a proper https encrypted connection between you and them, then how could they send you the splash page? So it's not only you need to have the latest browser, but you also need to have the latest OS with up-to-date SSL certs as well.

Which is why I updated my MB Air to Mojave in 2018 to allow me to access my library. Well Mojave would work this year, but Mojave support ends this year as well. Big Sur would ensure that you have the latest updated OS certs and security updates for 2 more years.

 

[whiteboard]

That's right. Due to COVID and rampant hacking and exploitations, many sites today had been upgraded so only systems with the latest OS and browser can log into it. Some sites look for your operating system and browser "BEFORE" they will even display their splash page, because if they can't establish a proper https encrypted connection between you and them, then how could they send you the splash page? So it's not only you need to have the latest browser, but you also need to have the latest OS with up-to-date SSL certs as well.

Which is why I updated my MB Air to Mojave in 2018 to allow me to access my library. Well Mojave would work this year, but Mojave support ends this year as well. Big Sur would ensure that you have the latest updated OS certs and security updates for 2 more years.

If I update to Mojave, am I guaranteed to get the latest and greatest security certificates so nearly all websites - including this library - will work?

And even if that is so, do things fall off the cliff in September 2021, or would I have maybe another year?

(I have lots of questions about Big Sur, but maybe a new thread is better for that?)

 

[mxrider88]

I think you would like Mojave. It is fast and stable. You could also try Catalina.

Catalina??? 😳😳😳😳😳😳
worse os ever released, seriously. Windows 7 maybe!

 

[mxrider88]

Probably Mojave, although I can’t hear myself recommending any macOS/OSX after Mountain Lion..

I wish we could decide which os to use rather than being forced into the newest because of evolving technology etc… my pick would be Snow Leopard. Forever!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Catalina??? 😳😳😳😳😳😳
worse os ever released, seriously. Windows 7 maybe!

I didn't like Catalina either but, I didn't want my personal taste to get in the way of making an objective suggestion.

 

[mxrider88]

I didn't like Catalina either but, I didn't want my personal taste to get in the way of making an objective suggestion.

It’s not matter of taste.. Catalina was a disaster. You can’t even sync an iPhone properly on Catalina.. bugs over bugs. Unusable seriously. If all you do is web browsing maybe ok, but if you do anything a touch more advanced, no way. Airplay playing up, wireless dropping, iPhone sync broken, continuity and handoff not working when multiple users are logged in (still the same issue on Big Sur), just a rubbish rushed Os in my opinion

 

[iluvmacs99]

If I update to Mojave, am I guaranteed to get the latest and greatest security certificates so nearly all websites - including this library - will work?

And even if that is so, do things fall off the cliff in September 2021, or would I have maybe another year?

(I have lots of questions about Big Sur, but maybe a new thread is better for that?)

Yes you are with Mojave and its latest security updates and yes you will be able to access your library because Safari will be updated to the very latest version 14.

Come September 2021, however, is that fall off the cliff, but would that stop Mojave and my latest Edge and Safari from accessing those difficult secured sites? It's hard to say though, because the only way to know is to try. If it stops working, then I know I need Big Sur.

I've been contemplating this question myself, but I know that I have my new iPhone that I can use to access those few difficult sites that I can keep contemplating this question for a few more years until I upgrade my MB Air to Apple Silicon.