Newton FAQ

Answers to common questions regarding Apple’s Newton computing platform.



Part I: Introduction

  1. General Information
    1. What is a Newton?
    2. What is a FAQ?
    3. What is the Newton FAQ?
    4. Where can I find the latest version?
    5. Where can I find previous versions?
      1. HTML format
      2. Plain text format
      3. Newton Book format
    6. Who can I contact for corrections, suggestions, or comments?
  2. Resources
    1. Where can I find other FAQs about the Newton?
      1. General FAQs
      2. Specialized FAQs & Resources
      3. Translated & International FAQs & Resources
  3. Acknowledgments
    1. Who is responsible for the Newton FAQ?
    2. Who else has helped with the Newton FAQ?

A. General Information

1. What is a Newton?

Well, this question is certainly a good place to start.

Basically, a Newton is a portable personal digital assistant (PDA) and computing platform developed and marketed by Apple in the 1990s. Newton is also a general name given to any handheld and portable device that runs the Newton OS, including those manufactured by third party companies who licensed the technology from Apple.

See also: What are the various Newton models?

Newton devices include a stylus which is used to input data and interact with the user interface via a touchscreen. Handwriting recognition facilitates the conversion of digital “ink” created using the stylus into live text. The operating system includes built-in applications for taking notes, organizing lists, managing contacts, as well as setting reminders and appointments.

See also: Using Newton OS

2. What is a FAQ?

FAQ is an acronym for “Frequently Asked Questions” and is generally considered to be a list or document containing a set of questions and answers pertaining to a given topic.

FAQ can be pronounced as individual letters “F - A - Q” or more literally as “fack”.

For more information, see FAQs about FAQs.

3. What is the Newton FAQ?

This document began as a simple FAQ related to common questions and issues pertaining to Apple’s Newton computing platform — the hardware, software, technologies, and other relevant information.

Over the course of several years and iterations, it grew into a huge database of Newton knowledge or “Newtledge” … as Gregory J. Wayman referred to it on the NewtonTalk mailing list.

The Newton FAQ is by no means a simple tool only for Newton newbies, it is historical repository of information and links for anyone interested in the Newton.

4. Where can I find the latest version?

The most current version is available on the newtonfaq.com website.

Sylvain Pilet also hosts a copy of the FAQ on his website, although it may not be the most recent version.

The source for the Newton FAQ resides in a public GitHub repository and is published automatically to the aforementioned site whenever an update or edit is committed to the repository.

It’s like magic.

5. Where can I find previous versions?

The first edition of the Newton FAQ was compiled and published by Paul Guyot on August 18th, 1999.

Beginning in October 1999, the FAQ was updated monthly in HTML format. It was also posted as plain text in the comp.sys.newton.misc, comp.answers, and news.answers newsgroups on the same monthly schedule.

In September 2001, the FAQ was automatically posted to several websites serving as hosts and mirrors of the document.

Previous editions can be found in the following locations:

a. HTML format
b. Plain text format
c. Newton Book format

6. Who can I contact for corrections, suggestions, or comments?

Grant Hutchinson currently maintains and publishes updates to the Newton FAQ and the associated website.

Please contact us using the Issues interface on GitHub.

Questions, corrections, edits, and comments may also be submitted through the NewtonTalk mailing list.

Please note that the FAQ isn’t just a compilation of knowledge from contributors to the project. It’s a compilation of knowledge from the entire Newton community. Consequently, we’re not necessarily the best people to ask if you’re having a specific problem with your Newton. You’d be better off to post your questions in the related groups and forums.


B. Resources

1. Where can I find other FAQs about the Newton?

a. General FAQs
b. Specialized FAQs & Resources
c. Translated & International FAQs & Resources

C. Acknowledgments

1. Who is responsible for the Newton FAQ?

Over the past two decades, numerous individuals have been involved in the creation, maintenance, and hosting of the Newton FAQ.

The Newton FAQ project began in August 1999, led by Paul Guyot, Sean Luke, Peter Rand, and Steve Weyer.

In August 2002, Paul Guyot stepped back from compiling and publishing the monthly FAQ updates, handing the reigns over to Daniel Padilla.

In October 2003, Grant Hutchinson took over the role of FAQ dad and is still maintaining the document and website.

2. Who else has helped with the Newton FAQ?

We’d like to acknowledge the following people for provided their time, knowledge, and other resources to this project.

We’d also like to thank Robert Sexton for his hard work over the first few years of this project, David Arnold for compiling his extensive site aimed at Newton developers, as well as Laura Painter from Planet Newton.

Finally, we’d want to thank the entire Newton community for its ongoing spirit and support. The depth and breadth of this FAQ couldn’t have been accomplished without the all of the comments, suggestions, additions, and corrections from Newton users like you.

Cheers!