First Finderxp Newsletter

Here is the (slightly modified) text from the first newsletter (4/25/03):

Hey Everyone!

This week I want to fill you in on some recent decisions made by the team. FinderXP will NOT be a shell replacement. But before you panic, let me elaborate.

After considering our options, we decided not to do a full shell replacement for several reasons, the most important being the concern of stability. Our new approach is rather exciting...it is actually closer to how OS X is structured.

This diagram illustrates what will be the structure for FinderXP:

Let me explain...

First, everything will run on top of explorer.exe. This eliminates the riskyness of replacing important system files from Windows, plus it also eliminates any compatibility issues that might crop up with a full shell replacement. Basically, you are still running Windows. Moving on...

Running on top of Windows will be .seven. This is the software that will power FinderXP, the workings under the hood if you will. .seven is basically software that lets the FinderXP apps communicate between each other.

Running on top of .seven will be the actual FinderXP apps. As of now, they are alilm's Finder app, hyperb0le's system prefs, and a menu bar app yet to be written by alilm. Yes, these are seperate apps, but with .seven running underneath them, they communicate to each other and act like one app. Bottom line- .seven will bind these apps together so tightly that you will not even know you are running Windows. It will act like a shell replacement without actually being one. Think of it...the feel of OS X with the stability of Windows XP. No compatibility issues, no software glitches, just smooth sailing...

Lastly, the FinderXP suite will be skinned by either StyleXP or Windowblinds, whichever you prefer. No GUI will be hard-coded, giving you the freedom to theme at your whim.

OS X runs on top of Darwin much the same way that FinderXP will run on top of explorer, and .seven will be the bridge between the two.  There are two diagrams attached...one is a structure layout of OS X, the other is a layout of FinderXP. I hope you notice the similarities between the two.

OS X Structure:

I hope you see the logic behind our decisions. Feel free to voice your concerns to us. I do think we are in the right direction, and hopefully we will soon have something to show for our efforts.

Thanks again for your support.

Let us know what you think!

-godpunk

#22793

Nice Illustration. But still the outer appearance still based on StyleXP or WindowBlinds....

I don't get it. If it is not a desktop shell replacement, then it is what? LOL. I don't understand.

FinderXP, interesting but confusing... Please explain godpunk

#22794

OK, i get it now.

It helps skinning easier and hassle free and running those Aqua Emulation Apps smooth.

Nice work. I can't wait to see it.....

FinderXP = The next generation Windows XP Enhancer!

Nice

#22795

wow, this sounds like music for me,

thanks for the headup godpunk

and good luck to all the folks that is on the prodject.

I know this is going to be something big,

couse all the programmers around a-s and aquaxp

is just so good!

Take youre time, i'm patiently waiting

peace

#22798

hey godpunk , this sounds something really cool, & man the way you explained it , i like it. waitin for the release of finderxp ...................................

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#22800

great great, it sounds really good. This is taking a proffesional development feeling that I'd never imagine. I think it's a great idea the independence between the different tiers. Keep the good job.

see ya

#22802

All the best for the project dude...

You guys (including hyperbole and alilm) simply ROCK!!

Siddharth

#22804

Just amazing, I am very excited about this project.

One question: it is possible to hard-code the OS X GUI and still make the program skinneable? If affirmative, might this solution make us save the use of a skinnig app?

Just wondering, my programming knowledge is very little.

Best wishes.

#22808

This looks incredibly amazing. Wow, is all I can say. OS X on windows has really come a long way, but it will be truly complete when FinderXP is completed.

#22823

One question I have.. so what exactly is FinderXP doing? Will it be the skinning engine? Or the thing that decides the layout of windows..?

#22824

FinderXP will change the file navigation system to match that of the Finder (alilm's Finder app, which is in preview release). Just think of it as a shell replacement without the replacement aspect...

-godpunk

#22892

Sounds really cool! So it will be like a program ore something running on top of explorer.exe? Like Talisman and DesktopX?

Lookin forward to it!

#22898

You got it B3nd1k,

It runs on top of explorer mimicing the OSX shell.

Using different programs it replicates OSX in seperate ways.

#22900

Just out of curiosity, has anyone tried out the app over at http://scops.l53.lokai.net/ ?

It seems to emulate the finderbar and the aqua interface okay (it does previous verisons of MacOS a little better). It's not perfect, but it's still a beta.

-xerhaoh

#22911

This project is starting to sound really good. Cant wait for the first release.

This is bad I know, but when do u think the first release will be?

Keep it up guys

Skyliner34

#22921

Umm... I was never included in this descision. Firstly, I already have a menu bar app 90% done. Secondly, i dont know about everone elses apps, but none of my apps will ever be skinned by windowblinds or stylexp.

I would really like to be included in these descisions.

#22925

Would you call FinderXP an interpreter where it translates commands from one layered program to another ? Whatever you call it, the concept sounds great and I hope with time and effort you pull it off.

Not only would it be more stable but expandable and flexible in future options as the program evolves. It sounds dreeeeaaaammmmmy !

Yeaaay for Godpunk and the Team !

I like how you got that professional attitude screwed in your head. It's refreshing!

#22972

Umm... I was never included in this descision. Firstly, I already have a menu bar app 90% done

Yeh that was a typo by GodPunk.

And dont worry about the whole skinning thing. I'm gonna let the user decide with .seven but hardcoding skins are fine.

#23007

I want to express my apologies to hyperb0le. Obviously gaps have opened in communication between those developing the app, and I have misunderstood what was going on.

I also want to apologize to board members as well...as part of this project, it is my responsibility to make sure any relayed info is accurate, and obviously I have not done so. Please accept my apologies.

I assure you that this project is being worked on. However, I will not be posting any more info or sending out any further newsletters until all info is deemed 100% accurate. This is quite an embarassing mis-step for me....

Once again, I apologize.

-godpunk

#23009

I've got a question: will FinderXP use a lot of resources? will we need a last generation machine to run it fast? I mean, my pc it's a P3 800 Mhz. Do you know something about the requirements or its soon to answer this question?

see ya

#23015

Well, my pc is an 800 mhz laptop with an 8mb vid card, so im gonna do my best to make my progs run on machines that are at least this slow. No worries!

#23018

Godpunk and other members,

I want to colaborate in this project. I'm not working in aqua apps but yes in the look fonts.

I created my type1 font collection and have change all horrible TTF windows fonts. I have LucidaMACBold as my default windows fonts and the result is great (in my opinion). I change all basic windows font (Arial, Symbol, Times New Roman, Trebuchet, Tahoma...) by the same in Type1 format:

Look this:

It's beta version. More notice soon.

#23052

wow soulless, that font is AMAZING. its perfect!

anyway, I think I understand what FinderXP is now..

I guess its like DesktopX or Talisman right? Except it will be more integrated? Sounds real cool.

#23053

Sorry, SiX is gay.

#23065

I've got a question: will FinderXP use a lot of resources? will we need a last generation machine to run it fast? I mean, my pc it's a P3 800 Mhz. Do you know something about the requirements or its soon to answer this question?

.Seven will be made to cope with the machines independant speed. so it should all work fine.

#23068