With the release of macOS 10.8 (Mountain Lion) Apple has taken another step forward in core system functionality. This release focuses on “cloud integration” and security. Until all Helix applications are fully updated, they can not take advantage of these new features in macOS.

Because of our limited budget, we have not tested any Helix products with macOS 10.8. We expect the Intel-native applications to run without issue, but until we are able to test (or receive user reports) we can not make any such claims.

Helix 6.2 does not take advantage of any new technologies introduced in macOS 10.8. Services such as iCloud, Gatekeeper, and Notification Center are not yet supported. And because the fundamental use of Helix is for databases that open multiple windows, there is no plan to implement Full Screen viewing in Helix 6.2

Some new features of macOS 10.8 — enhanced Auto Save, Dictation and Power Nap in particular — may interact with Helix in unexpected ways. This page will be updated as we gain information about them.

Below is an application-by-application guide to macOS 10.8 compatibility. This page will be updated as new information is available.

One feature that creates a difficulty for Helix is Gatekeeper which, when at its default setting, allows you to install and launch only “Apple-approved” applications. Helix 6.2 applications are not ‘sandboxed’ and are not ‘code signed’ which are requirements at this level. Typically macOS provides a clear message when Gatekeeper is blocking an action, but sometimes it responds with a more cryptic error code: “OSStatus error 100030”.

Fortunately, Gatekeeper does offers a security level that allows downloading and installing applications from any source, with the same protection that macOS Lion provides. Mountain Lion alerts you if you download and try to install an application that is not ‘code signed,’ but you can still choose to install it. This is how Helix 6.2 applications are installed on macOS 10.8.

Once installed, attempting to launch a Helix application will — unless you have changed the Gatekeeper default setting — open a dialog box informing you that it “can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer,” as seen on the right. Fortunately this prohibition can be disabled (temporarily or permanently) to run Helix applications in Mountain Lion.

To allow Helix applications to run under Mountain Lion, you must switch Gatekeeper to a less restrictive setting, then launch the Helix application. To make this switch, open the “Security & Privacy” panel of System Preferences, change the “Allow applications downloaded from:” setting to “Anywhere” — this requires you to authenticate by clicking the padlock in the lower left corner and entering your password. With Gatekeeper set at this level, Helix applications will launch successfully. Repeat this process for each Helix application you wish to run.

Alternatively, you can control-click the Helix application icon and choose Open to see a dialog that allows you to launch the application.

Either way, once you have successfully launched a particular application, it will subsequently launch without warning, even if you set Gatekeeper back to a more stringent level of security.

Helix RADE 6.2 and later are compatible with Mountain Lion, with the installation caveat noted above.

Helix Server 6.1 and later are compatible with Mountain Lion, with the installation caveat noted above.

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 macOS 10.7 or later.

Helix Client 6.1 and later are compatible with Mountain Lion, with the installation caveat noted above.

Note: macOS 10.7 removed the “toolbar widget” from the upper right corner of the window, eliminating the ability to cancel a Quick Query or hide the Sort Order control once it has been opened. To work around this, Helix 6.1.10 adds a Hide Toolbar command to the Edit menu. See R7234 in techdb for more information.

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 macOS 10.7 or later.

Helix Engine 6.1 and later are compatible with Mountain Lion, with the installation caveat noted above.

Note: macOS 10.7 removes the “toolbar widget” from the upper right corner of the window, eliminating the ability to cancel a Quick Query or hide the Sort Order control once it has been opened. To work around this, Helix 6.1.10 adds a Hide Toolbar command to the Edit menu. See R7234 in techdb for more information.

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 macOS 10.7 or later.

Helix Utility 6.2 and later are compatible with Mountain Lion, with the installation caveat noted above.

Helix Utility OS X — whose most recent update is version 6.0.1 — is not Intel-native and therefore is not compatible with macOS 10.7 or later.

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

Update Collection OS X — whose most recent update is version 6.0.1 — is not Intel-native and therefore not compatible with macOS 10.7 or later.

All collections must be updated to Helix 6.0/6.1 prior to moving to Mountain Lion. The Structure Check feature in Helix 6.2 does not update collections from Helix 5.3 or earlier. (See this technote for options available to update older collections.)

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

However, since Helix Utility OS X and Update Collection are not compatible with Mountain Lion, HMM 1.0.x can not perform its intended duties. The future of HMM is currently undefined.

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.

The functions performed by Helix Scripting are included in Helix 6.2, making this product obsolete.

Helix Scripting — which was included in the Helix RADE Readiness Kit — is not Intel-native and therefore is not compatible with macOS 10.7 or later.