aguywhoplaysthief on 12/2/2007 at 15:38
Yeah, I can't tell you the heartache I've gone through in the past with Macs with capture hardware, DV recorders, and Final Cut Pro. Unless, of course, lock-ups and file corruption are now hip, and in that case everything works super cool.
Abysmal on 12/2/2007 at 21:53
I won't pretend anything as my Windows PC rarely crashed just as my Mac rarely crashes. And you could say both machines were attempting fashion. I run a Mac for the unequivocal quality of the software, and for no other reason.
Uncia on 13/2/2007 at 10:49
Quote Posted by TheAlbaniac
Interestingly enough, that's an osx design choice that actually epitomizes much of the
multitasking design philosophy.
First, it's a shared toolbar because many osx apps have 'floating' windows; unlike word for windows, for example, you can still see the desktop behind open documents, rather than the background of MS word. This, along with the fact that, by design, you (generally) can't properly maximize a window in osx, really encourages 'proper' multitasking. Many windows users completely maximize their window, which discourages multitasking (or at least for the less-experienced users).
Thing is, this is another point where Apple just plain contradict themselves. On one hand, they were pushing single-button mice for years, because they're Less Confusing And Easier To Use, extra functionality be damned. On the other, they have a dynamic global bar, to Encourage Multitasking whilst at the same time making the experience more confusing (shit, it confused
me).
Same with Aqua ("consistent UI design! Silly Windows, you're so inconsistent!") and brushed metal ("we don't care any more, we think it's pretty!").
Aaaaand iMacs... "We gave our lamp iMac a horizontal drive, because drives operate better at those orientations. Also, a dynamically adjustable screen!". And then next generation the drive is vertical, and the screen isn't anywhere near as flexible any more. Yes, totally not sacrificing functionality for the sake of New And Shiny, guys.
Not huge points, granted, but it is a bit gngngn when people hail a choice, then when Apple inverses it hail the other one, too, whilst slagging every other OS for the choice that happens to be different from theirs'. Not directed at previous poster. :)
TheAlbaniac on 13/2/2007 at 13:02
I completely agree with you on the fact that 'cool design' often conflicts with sensible, intuitive design.
Despite my expectations, I actually like the one-button mouse interface, even though I use CTRL-click relatively often. Maybe because the designer is forced to try and work with one button, some things are easier to do? I don't know.
Because I needed a mouse, I bought the wireless mighty mouse. It looks nice, works quite well, and price-wise wasn't to expensive, considering its features. And yet, it's a perfect example of form-over-function. To right-click, you have to LIFT your finger off the left button. I imagine that fucks with the way most experienced mouse users work. The two side-buttons require a carpal-tunnel inducing, unneccesarily-strong squeeze to work, rendering them useless.
I don't mind the right-click problem, because I use CTR-click mostly, but it's horrible design, and for no other purpose than to look cool.
And yeah, apple has been disregarding its own design principles a number of times, and it's becoming more and more apparent. At the moment most apps still feel a bit more intuitive than their windows counterparts though, and the features of cocoa (system-wide spellcheck, shared elements, etc.) are very powerful, and are perhaps part of the reason why most apps seem more integrated and similar to each other than in Windows.
So, to recap: I completely agree with criticism, but on the whole OSX still seems a bit more intuitive, easier and a lot prettier than Windows.
fett on 13/2/2007 at 13:34
A mouse with no frob button gives me the willies. :erm:
Fingernail on 13/2/2007 at 14:48
taffers against macs :mad:
Briareos H on 13/2/2007 at 17:43
only on fuhrerchan.be
Abysmal on 13/2/2007 at 22:25
Different window stylings act as visual cues and give each app their own distinction (I believe Windows has this as well). It aids greatly when Expose/Flip3D is initiated as you can quickly eye which app is what. As long as the window mechanics themselves remain consistent between apps, this should create the necessary familiarity for the user.
And yeah, the Apple mice suck (blasted scroll ball just went out again! gotta coax the damned thing), just get a third-party.
