What OS X Could Learn From Windows
Okay.
Hard hat? Check.
Flak jacket? Check.
Flame proof vest? Check.
White flag? Check.
Deep breath? Check.
Windows has some features OS X could do with.
There, I said it. Nice and quick and up front. No beating around the bush. So what now? Duck!!!
Is it safe to come out yet? I’ve been burnt before daring to suggest this. But here I am again, sucker for punishment.
1) Compatible control keys. Switching between Mac and Windows this drives me nuts. I have to consciously think “command-C or control-C?” It shouldn’t have to be that way. And if you’re running RDC or VPC and copying and pasting between OS X and Windows!! Sheesh!
The problem isn’t the labeling, it’s the location of the keys used. I had to use a Windows PC today and I kept pressing Alt-C to copy. This is why it’s a problem. If it was simply a matter of labeling, no worries, mate. Apple - and the zealotry - need to concede that this battle is lost.
Implementing this would rock many people’s boats, so if Apple did make this change it’d have some serious domino affect on other keystrokes and applications that use them, but maybe it could be done with the switch to Intel, just to ease the pain slightly.
2) Save button on toolbars. I don’t think any of the Apple software ever gives you the option to include a Save button. Print button yes, Save button no. A little test - raise your hand if you save your work more often than you print it? Ah, so I’m not alone. Good. You can put your hands down. Thank you.
3) A multi button mouse. And you thought I’d say two. Why stop at two? Especially with things like Exposé, Dashboard and Spotlight. They’re just crying out for single click activation from a mouse. Ok. So this isn’t a Windows feature per sé, but still is needed.
4) Only show relevant file types in open and save dialogs. For those who like seeing every file that’s every existed in their Documents folder, give them a checkbox to show all files. But personally, if I am opening a Pages file, I don’t want to see all my iMovie, Excel, iDVD etc files. And OS X already knows which are which because non-related ones are greyed out.
5) Sort folders to top of directory listings I know that we don’t go folder mining as much since we got Spotlight, so I won’t labor on about this one.
6) More context sensitive help. I notice since I first raised this two years ago, more of it has crept into OS X. So I guess at least I can’t be flamed for this one!
Now why is it that I can list all the features I want Leopard to have and as long as none of them are from Windows, its cool? But dare suggest OS X needs a feature already in Windows and the world comes down on you. We can admit that OS X is not perfect, but not that Windows is better in some ways.
But Apple have admitted it in the past. Here’s just a couple of things I’ve seen Windows do that Apple has added:
- Command-tab switching
- Existing files selectable in Save dialog
Last week I suggested changes to the iPod and more people than not, disagreed. And I reckon this week it’ll be a lot worse. But if I added to this list “Change to Intel CPU’s"… two months ago I would have been burned at the stake. Now it seems we all think that change is logical. So before you get the flame thrower out remember, we know Apple make changes, they borrow from Windows and borrow from their 3rd party developers.
Also, I know I’m going to get flamed for this being a “tired old argument that has been done to death”. Sorry if you feel that way. just pretend I didn’t say these features already existed in Windows and that they are new and revolutionary. If we stop asking, Apple may think we don’t want them anymore. Microsoft copied so much from Mac OS, why can’t Apple do a little copying back?
And if you can take the heat, what would you like to see Apple borrow from Windows?
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Thanks Lavar and Scott. I also just want to add that although I’ve been strongly defending the two-button mouse, in my article I actually called for a multi-button mouse so I could access things like Expose, Dashboard and Spotlight more easily.
I don’t find using a one-button mouse and the control key any problem for accessing context menus. But when I’ve got a right button I do use it for context menus.
Oh - and talking of mouses - I’d like a scroll wheel too.
I still don’t understand why you want Apple to bundle a multi-button mouse. You never addressed the other main effect of Apple shipping a two-button mouse. You’re effectively asking the company to cripple the mouse-selling businesses of companies like Logitech, Kensington, and Microsoft while increasing its own after-market mouse sales (as the premier seller of the one-button mouse). Can you imagine the backlash? Yes, those companies would still be able to sell them, but I definitely think they’d all take a huge hit. I just don’t think it’s a good business decision for Apple.
You’re effectively asking the company to cripple the mouse-selling businesses of companies like Logitech, Kensington, and Microsoft while increasing its own after-market mouse sales (as the premier seller of the one-button mouse).
A) Apple represents about 4% of the computer market. Even if every single one of those people stuck with the Apple’s multi-button mouse, it wouldn’t cripple Logitech or anyone else. I doubt they’d even notice.
B) Since when has Apple cared about producing a product that competes with one of its developers? They created Final Cut Pro, which caused Adobe to stop developing Premiere for the Mac. They developed Dashboard, which basically killed Konfabulator for the Mac. And the list goes on and on and on. In fact, Apple and Microsoft are notorious for adding features that effectively cripple 3rd party developers. Why would that stop them from making a multi-button mouse, a product that likely wouldn’t hurt the competition in the slightest.
Unless of course Apple sold the mouse seperately to PC users. I guess I could see that happening. But if it were better than the competish, then more power to them.
Oh - and talking of mouses - I’d like a scroll wheel too.
Even if I liked the “the whole mouse is a button” design of the Mac mouse POS, the lack of a scroll wheel alone would render it useless to me. It’s one of those innovations that you wonder how you ever got along without. I’m just glad OSX supports it, even if they don’t ship a mouse that has one.
Just thought I’d check back on this thread. Wow! Still quite a bit of activity. Beeblebrox, I’ve got to hand it to you. You are quite the debater. I concede to an earlier statement/idea, go ahead and ship a 2 button mouse but make it possible to mechanically switch to a 1 button mouse(locking the 2 buttons together for a single click) I like this idea, and I know that Apple industrial design can make this happen, and put to rest this point of long drawn out contention. To be honest with you I have only had to use windows on a limited basis, there may be some features worth replicating on OSX, as I am not a power user of any sort I have no idea as to what they would be. My experience with windows has been very frustrating up to this point. A lot of what I would consider to be intuitive simply was not. But as I mentioned earlier, If it was a necessity I would learn windows little quirks, and not complain about changing them I would accept it as is. Beeblebrox, I would also have to agree with the scroll wheel, a 2 button mouse that has the ability to act as 1 button but with the scroll wheel on the side close to where the ring finger could easily access, possibly have the wheel being placed vertically. Don’t know just blueskying here. OK, I hope that we can bury the hatchet here, I’m pooped!!!
Dimebag,
Rumor has it that Apple is working on something just like your description. The shell would be solid, like a one button mouse, but could detect left and right clicks based on how much pressure was placed on a particular side. A flat pressure sensitive strip in the front-center would act like a scroll wheel. By default, the mouse would act like a one button mouse, but two button / scroll functionally could be enabled via software.
Scott,
Thanks for the info! That’s very good to hear, I knew that Apple would change this at some point, but would innovate around the competitors satisfying all. \m/
I am a recent Switcher, and am very happy. However, there are a few small things that Apple can implement that would make switching easier. OSX is far superior, however the Holy Grail is to get the other 90% of the world onto our system, and to do that we have to make it as easy as possible for them. So, here is my list:
1. Stop making me use 2 hands to do things I am used to doing with 1 hand. Examples: To delete something, I don’t want to drag it to the trash or press Ctrl+Delete. Why can’t I just press Delete? To save - click the Save icon.
2. To open an application, why can’t I just hit “Enter” or “Return” or whatever it is (not in front of my Mac now). Why must I double-click? My Mac is a PowerBook, and the trackpad is anything but natural. Not Apple’s fault, Laptops-in-general’s fault. Dragging and Double-clicking is harder than just hitting a single key.
3. More OS integration with iLife applications. If there is a jpeg file on my desktop, I should be able to select it and Import it into my iPhoto Library. Not open iPhoto, Choose the File, and select Import. The Windows Context Menus can be great tools. Same thing with mp3’s and iTunes.
4. Speaking of iPhoto, how do you view something full screen? I couldn’t find how to do it, and had to open up Quicktime, re-find the file (which is impossible since iPhoto stores them in its own way), and then hit Full Screen view, which goes full screen and then snaps back to normal size. WTF??? This pissed me off mightily.
5. Allow me to set a password on a folder or file. This is impossible in Windows as well. Even if I am the owner of a folder/file, make me enter a password to open it. There is only 1 account on my Mac, mine. However, there are some sensitive (read: porn) files there. I had guests over and was showing them my Mac, and was sitting there sweating them using it because they might open my private stash. I don’t want to create a new account or go through any hoops. Just have an option in the “Get Info” dialog to where I can password protect the object, even from myself.
6. Keep a cache of Network mounts. I still have a Windows machine that I am using as a Network file server. I have 200 GB of space there, but the Powerbook only comes with 40GB. So, every time I want something off of Windows, I have to go through the Network Discovery, Mount, etc… thing, as opposed to keeping the Windows Box in my Network list, and when I double-click it, then make sure it’s online, giving me a folder list of the Shares, not a single-selection box.
That’s it for now. Some of these things may be implemented already, but I have not yet found them. I’ve only had a Mac for about a month now, and 99% of the experience has been positive.
Sean
OK, Windoze fanboys Apple has released their version of a multibutton mouse. We can officially put this one to rest!!!!
Hi Sean… Welcome to OS X. I hope your learning curve isn’t too steep.
1) This all comes down to accidental deletion. It would be very easy for someone to have an accidental “delete” on a key strike (cat on desk, something falls on keyboard, etc)… Now there’s a file in the trash that the user might not even know was accidentally trashed. Now, imagine if the selected item was the “Documents” or “Music” folder… User empties the trash unawares and kaboom! There goes iTunes, iPhoto or all your work documents.
A two-key combination for deletion is a *very* necessary precaution.
2) This is one of those pre-OS X hold overs. In Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, “Return” has always been a trigger for text activation (ie- rename, etc). This is not just on files, but also in dialogue boxes and other places where the return key acts as some kind of text trigger. Apple doesn’t like to re-use the same keystroke for different functionality because it believes any action should have the same results whether in the OS or an application. Since return is a text trigger in apps, it is in the OS as well for consistency.
Since System 1.0, Command-O has always been the “open” keystroke for apps, documents, folders, etc. You don’t need to use the trackpad/mouse. If your fingers are on the home typing position, Command-O is no more difficult to reach than Return.
3) Unless I misunderstand what you’re asking, you can do that. You just Control-Click (or right click) and choose “Open With"… If the app you want doesn’t appear in the list, select “Other” and in the future that application will be included on the list.
This allows you to open any JPG with iPhoto or Graphic Converter or Photoshop, etc… The default double-click is (usually) the application that created the file, but you can also change your defaults for a given file type.
4) I don’t recall off the top of my head, but I believe there is a slideshow mode that puts it full screen. I don’t have iPhoto at work to experiment.
5) There isn’t quite what you ask without a 3rd party app, but you can do something very close. In the Get Info dialogue, you can set the permissions to “No Access” if you own the folder/file… You can change it back to “Read & Write\” in Get Info without a password, but it does keep the casual browser out of the folder.
Alternatively, you can set the owner to “system” under the “Details” sub-arrow (no need to create another user - “system” is a default OS X user). This will prompt you for the admin password and the folder will now be off-limits and require another admin password to change the folder ownership back. This is a lot close to what you describe… but it doesn’t actively prompt for a password to open the folder when clicked. You still have to use Get Info command to unlock it.
6) Is this what you want:
In the “Window\” -> “Connect to Server” menu (Command-K), you can add bookmarks for server mounts. For instance, I have “ftp://ftp.fishtankdiver.com/ as a saved mount. Type in the address and use the [+] button to add your bookmark. It also has a list of Recent Servers if you haven’t already saved the bookmark.
What I’ve also done in the past is mount the network share and then make an alias to it on the desktop. After that, you can just double-click the alias to the share (assuming the server is up/on the network). It will then prompt you for the user/pass and viola.
Hopefully, that should get you past your OS X growing pains.
Marty
PS - I do recommend a “Visitor” user with no password for when friends come by. I’ve recently set one up and it was pretty easy. You can even lock down individual applications. With Fast User Switching, it’s a piece of cake to put yourself in the background and bring up the managed user.
(whoops—continued)
Not only will that keep them out of your pr0n, but also from reading private email from your SO, or other items of an embarrassing or private nature.
PPS - “Open With” is also on the File menu as well as the contextual menu, just as an FYI.
Thanks vb_baysider! I’ll try all of your tips out when I get home! I think the addition of the multi-button mouse announced today will help as well. Even if Grandma can’t figure out how to right-click, I can, and I want to
Thanks again,
Sean
One more question! I’m posting here as I have no idea where else to post it. If someone could indulge me, I’d really appreciate it.
I’ve noticed that Command+Tab cycles through individual applications, but not through instances of a single application. For example, I use Safari in non-tabbed mode (windowed mode?). Is there a keyboard shortcut for going through the individual Safari windows? In Windows each IE ( or Firefox ) window is it’s own Task bar item, and so Alt+Tab cycles every open thing. Is there a Mac equivelent for inter-application window cycling?
Thanks!
Sean
Been a while since I’ve been here. Mighty Mouse is certainly interesting. I’ll reserve judgment until I use it, but the low-profile scrolling button and the general shape seem to be rather nice.
BergenDog, you can cycle through application windows with Cmd+` (the button right above tab).
Also, if you have Expose turned on (System Prefs), F10 provides an easy visual way to get to the window you want. F9 will show you all windows, not just the one for the active application.
I have F9 programmed as one of my extra Logitech mouse buttons so I can quickly switch if I on the keyboard or mouse.
Expose was probably the best feature from Panter (10.3). I think Automator might be the best 10.4 one, though I haven’t really gotten a chance to use it.