My Site...

First I just wanted to say that i have been having hosting problems. Let me explain. First off I was on one host, this host was in an academic server room though. I got moved to a host that was going to be permanent. But some warez monkey on the same host took all our bandwidth making my site n/a for a few days.

I was going to migrate back to the old host but now that server is n/a too. We got another new host but it is having issues so it might be some more time before my site is back again (notice my sig file and av is gone).

Ok now I'm going to rant a little on apple's new stuff. Just my opinions, don't get mad or anything.

The 2 things that impress me the most in the new OSX is: the fast user switching animation and the expose feature. I'm playing devil's advocate when I say this but there is no reason why longhorn when finalized won't be able to do those effects if desired. I mean everything is mapped onto polygons there is no reason at all why when you log into another account why it cannot be rendered offscreen and be switched around with the other when switching with any effect that you want.

The expose feature is kinda neat looking. I see it as a natural consequence of having a 3d desktop. This effect would be easy to do with any 3d desktop. And they can be actual windows that have a different action when you click on them rather than being snapshots of windows. So naturally they show changes in the window. The same thing applies to windows that go to the dock that's why you can have a video playing in the dock on OSX.

The dimension shell by nivenh was to have a feature kind of like that (on a 2d desktop no less, but with this 3d overlayed). All inactive windows would turn to snapshots when minimized and shrink to the background.

Pagers on linux aren't really like that especially since the windows get put offscreen rather than small in the background. The E pager for example takes small snapshots for the pager (the active desktop updating in real time) but that's not quite like expose. The icon box is more like the dock minus application launching and running tasks on the left. Other wm's and de's have graphical pagers but not icon boxes per say. And they use the snapshot method rather than the 3d method.

I am happy to see Apple starting to take advantage of the OpenGL aspect of quartz extreme and I look forward to seeing how this evolves. You can bet that MS will borrow\copy\steal these things (effects) being as longhorn is coming out in 2005. However at this point it is premature to compare longhorn and the new OSX. The effects however spank XP so if you must have them NOW you should get OSX when panther comes out.

About the new case I like it but I kind of don't like the grills. They are growing on me though. I was suprised that they would go with something more square than the previous one and more grey. It's almost like stepping backwards a bit. I guess I have to see this in person though.

I think though it's all good but a little under the standard they have set with previous releases. The new aqua appearence however I'm not happy with I hope they tweak it a lot between now and when they release it. I mean I was ok with the plastic buttons for brushed but THIS, well I'm not for it. I truly think they should hire Max Rudberg if THAT is what they are going with. Thankfully we have 3rd party themers. I think themes will probably have to be updated for panther though.

Well anyway, I still think it's a solid update especially after you replace the theme. And when it comes out it won't be a better time to get a Mac.

However, I don't think the PC will be standing still as I've mentioned before those features are a natural consequence of a 3d desktop if they are not included by default with longhorn it shouldn't be too hard to add them by a third party due to the nature of the desktop. The Mac has a future, the PC has a future too, and they are becoming more and more alike especially with peope such as the ones here who customize their computers.

#35427

1) From all the new features that have been revealed, I too love Exposé the most.

2) You are right. Apple hasn't been taking alot of advantage of OpenGL till now. I'm glad they are now.

3) Yup . THey really should hire Max Rudberg. He'd make one swell software designer..

One last thought. I can kind of see where Apple is heading in terms of Software and Hardware. It seems they are becoming less obtrusive, less 'in your face'. It is evident in the sleek design of the new G5, the new AlumaBooks, and now in Panther and all its sleek yet simple features. I think I like what Apple is doing.

#35436

Some Window Managers in Linux have the ability to tile all the open windows on screen with a hotkey. I believe RatPoison can. Granted, its not as pretty, but thats what I meant by ripping off Linux.

And also, has anyone seen the XP Powertoy that has virtual desktops? Its got a button that tiles all your virtual desktops, very much like Expose. I think Apple may have taken a hint from MS on this one.

Still, its super cool, and really fluid. I am still exited.

But im glad to hear your opinion smoke, its always very well informed. Unfortunatly, I dought we will be able to do this stuff on Longhorn. MS doesnt seem to want to (at least not to OSX caliber), and they are getting better and better at locking us out of customization, with DRM, they may be able to compeltly, who knows.

#35437

the darker tightlebar I feel is kinda in your face though I think they should make it more subdued.

You have to understand Contra, that if all the windows and desktop are rendered to polygons the only thing that keeps us from doing effects is the lack of desire do to them. Also simply tiling the windows isn't quite like this it's just half of the effect. All versions of windows could tile the windows as well going up to 3.1.

#35439

I can't get the link to your site to open. Any suggestions???

FatAxl :own:

#35442

well wherever they originally stole the idea from i think this expose is a welcome feature.

It does the job (from what i've seen) and also looks awesome.

Perhaps Apple shouldn't claim they've invented all this stuff but they have made it worth the users time to learn how to use it

And as for the grey title bar... you IDIOT Steve

There was nothing wrong with the Jaguar look... why'd you have to go ruin perfection

Fissy

#35443

As I studied in Economics:

1. First theres invention (you come up with a new product)

2. Then there is innovation (you come up with a use for the product)

3. Finally there's implementation (you spread the new technology in the market).

IMO, Apple mostly does #2 and #3. And it does a good job.

So, if Apple says it innovates it is right. Invents, nah.. don't think so..

#35444

in·no·va·tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (n-vshn)

n.

1. The act of introducing something new.

2. Something newly introduced.

Thats how I understand that word.

So Apple aren't really innovating they "revolutionise the concept" <<--- How Mr Jobs speaks i think

#35448

@Taha

The concept you talk about (the three steps) is under discussion. Especially in the tech market, there is the phenomenon called "disruptive technology" (I think it was called).

The problem is, you can no longer make a linear timescale for evolution of a product. At the beginning/the introduction of your technology, the technology is inferior to what you have! So for some time another technology still dominates, but then the disruptive technology takes over in a revolutionary-like small time.

Anone remeber Infocom? They ruled in the game market for quite some time. Even when graphical games were introduced, Infocom outsold them with their text-adventures!!!

Then all out of sudden, like in one year, the graphical games took over. Finished with Infocom. They ended as a Activision subsidary and lost all identification and eventually were disbanded. Activision markets a few games under their name every once in a while, though.

I'm pretty eager to see the next disruptive technology. We probably already know it, but do not see it's potential.

Have fun,

McTrinsic

#35501