With the release of Mac OS X 10.7 (aka: Lion) Apple has taken another large step forward in core system functionality. Unfortunately, this progress comes at a price: The Rosetta technology that allowed Intel Macs to run PowerPC native code has been removed, so programs (such as Helix Utility) that are not yet Intel native will not run under Lion.

While most of our programs are already Intel-native, our utility programs are not: they simply can not run under OS X 10.7.

Because of our limited budget, we have not tested any Helix products with OS X 10.7. We expect the Intel-native applications to run without issue, but until we are able to test (or receive user reports) we can not claim full compatibility.

Our current recommendation for Helix Server (and other production-critical applications) is to remain in OS X 10.6 for the time being. Helix Client workstations should be able to run under OS X 10.7.

Below is an application-by-application guide to OS X 10.7 compatibility. This page will be updated as new information is available.

Helix RADE 6.2 and later are Intel-native, and should be compatible with Lion.

Helix Server 6.1 and later are Intel-native, and should be compatible with Lion.

Note: Helix Server for PowerPC — which is provided as a free upgrade for owners of Helix 6.0 licenses — is not Intel-native and therefore not compatible with Lion.

Helix Client 6.1 and later are Intel-native, and should be compatible with Lion.

Note: Helix Client for PowerPC — which is provided as a free upgrade for owners of Helix 6.0 licenses — is not Intel-native and therefore not compatible with Lion.

Helix Engine 6.1 and later are Intel-native, and should be compatible with Lion.

Note: Helix Engine for PowerPC — which is provided as a free upgrade for owners of Helix 6.0 licenses — is not Intel-native and therefore not compatible with Lion.

Helix Utility — currently at version 6.0.1 — is not Intel-native and therefore not compatible with Lion.

We expect to have an update to Helix Utility in mid-2012, but much is contingent on the success and progress of Helix RADE 6.2.

Update Collection — currently at version 6.0.1 — is not Intel-native and therefore not compatible with Lion.

The functions performed by Update Collection are being added directly to Helix 6.2, making this product obsolete.

All collections must be updated to Helix 6.0/6.1 prior to moving to Lion. The Structure Check feature in Helix 6.2 does not update collections from Helix 5.3 or earlier. (Contact our technical support department if you need assistance updating older collections to Helix 6.2.)

Helix Maintenance Manager (HMM) is Intel-native and compatible with Lion.

However, since Helix Utility and Update Collection are not compatible with Lion, HMM currently serves no purpose there. HMM 2.0 (no announced release date) will be available as a paid upgrade for Helix 6.2 and later.

Helix Maintenance Manager 1.0.x is compatible with Helix utilities 5.3.x and 6.0.x only.

Helix Developer Utility (HDU) remains a “Classic-only” application for the time being. Developers who require the functions of HDU but do not have access to a Classic-capable Mac should contact our technical support department for assistance.

Helix Scripting (and the CallHelix Scripting Addition) is part of the Helix RADE Readiness Kit and is a Power PC only application, so it is not compatible with Lion. The function of Helix Scripting is built into Helix RADE 6.2, which is currently available as an Intel native Preliminary Release that is compatible with Lion.