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Rosetta
Rosetta is a dynamic binary translator for Mac OS X that allows many PowerPC applications to run on certain Intel-based Macintosh computers without modification. Apple released Rosetta in 2006 when it transitioned the Macintosh platform from the PowerPC to Intel processor instruction set architecture. The name "Rosetta" is a reference to the Rosetta Stone, the discovery that made it possible to comprehend and translate Egyptian hieroglyphs. Rosetta is based on QuickTransit technology. It has no graphical user interface, which led Apple to describe Rosetta as "the most amazing software you'll never see." Rosetta was initially included with Mac OS X v10.4.4 "Tiger", the version that was released with the first Intel-based Macintosh models. Rosetta is not installed by default in Mac OS X v10.6 "Snow Leopard", but can be retained as an option via the installer or Apple Software Update for users who need to run PowerPC applications. Rosetta is neither included nor supported in Mac OS X v10.7 "Lion" or later. Therefore, with Lion and later releases, the current Macintosh platform does not support PowerPC applications. However, for those running later versions of Mac OS X who need to run PowerPC application programs, Mac OS X 10.6 Server, also known as Snow Leopard Server, can be installed and run in a virtualizer such as Parallels, VMware Fusion, or VirtualBox. The non-server version of Snow Leopard is not intended or allowed for virtualization. As of 2015, Snow Leopard Server is available by telephoning 800-MY-APPLE in the United States and asking for part number MC588Z/A; the cost is $20 USD.
