Metal Interface on Mail?

[MacRumors]

Spymac reports (http://www.spymac.com/comments.php?id=348_0_5_0_C) on superficial changes to Apple's mail client:

Apple?s Mail application will sport an interface similar to iChat and Safari in an upcoming version, according to recent information sent to Spymac.


iChat and Safari currently sport a "Metal" interface which is also found on iTunes.

[dgallina]

Ugh.

Metal is OK for some simple apps, but putting it on EVERYTHING is not the way IMHO. Mail would be super-ugly with metal...

[Simon Liquid]

#1- The source is SpyMac
#2- It's about something that doesn't really matter much anyway.

[awulf]

Mail is the only Apple app with the Aqua interface. So that would have been expected to change.

I hope they add a formatting tool bar for composing emails.

[ubergrid]

Jeez, with all the great design Apple has, I don't know why they keep screwin around with this cheezy metal crap.

[vniow]

Ick, this is what it'll look like:

http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=266903

[DreaminDirector]

Geez, make some other improvements! Does metal have to be on everything? This isn't news either!

[DeusOmnis]

I wouldnt be worried, apple always does a good job of making thier apps look nice.

[robotrenegade]

I agree that this metal look is cheesy but it seems easier to look at. Is there a date for this upgrade?

[MacDuff]

Dude,
I think that image looks sweet. I don't mind going against the grain - I like the metal brushed look. You know the windows users are just drooling over something that could unify their os as much as ours is. Go apple!

[blueBomber]

i really am starting to dislike the metal interface. It worked for quicktime, but now i'm starting to wonder why Apple came up with something as elegant as aqua just to cover it up with brushed metal textures.

[garyhoare]

Does anyone else think that the metal appearance tends to slow down apps?

[moosecat]

I like brushed metal too ... In addition to its aesthetics (which set metallized apps apart from Windows nicely), I like being able to grab a window anywhere to move it.

[boobers]

Metal is for appliances like itunes and quicktime, address book and ichat and everything else is just too much for me.

[smashedapart]

It's a little out there, but, has anyone considered that Apple might be turning Mail into an entry-level mail program? Think about it, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, all of these consumer-oriented apps sport the metal interface. Maybe there's more to this than what's on the surface. Perhaps Apple is working on a pro Mail app like Outlook and is planning to use the metal theme to separate the two...? It kinda fits with the rumors that Apple has been working on their own Office suite. Just an idea...

-- smashedapart

[robotrenegade]

Does anyone else think that the metal appearance tends to slow down apps?

Not that i see.

[wilburpan]

Originally posted by garyhoare
Does anyone else think that the metal appearance tends to slow down apps?
If this was the case, then you would expect all of those skinable programs to also have a performance hit depending on the skin used. I have never seen this to be a factor in performance.

[Backtothemac]

Hey Mrs V! good job on that. I like it. I wish the entire OS was metal. If only I could do that somehow.

[Goblin2099]

Heh, I've had mail metallifized for about a year now. I don't like brushed metal on everything, but Mail seems better to me with it.

[Qball]

Originally posted by MacDuff
Dude,
I think that image looks sweet. I don't mind going against the grain - I like the metal brushed look. You know the windows users are just drooling over something that could unify their os as much as ours is. Go apple!

I have stainless steel appliances in my kitchen, so this change is a natural extension of my kitchen motif.

They should have a toggle switch in the program to go between aqua and brushed metal.

[joed]

I had a feeling this was going to happen sooner or later.

I think they're loosing the consistency with the OS look, I liked how Quicktime and the iLife bundle are all metal apps, but it seems they want to change all the apps.

What about Sherlock and Help? Should these become brushed metal as well, why not just convert all free apps. I don't like it how some are Aqua and the rest are brushed metal. They should think of something different, brushed metal been around for ages - it is so OS9 :)


James.

[Malic]

I just had a thought ... Aqua's pinstripe style mirrored (in spirit) the physical design style of the iMac. With the metal look, is this a sign of things to come? Will all Mac's have a brushed metal "PowerBook" style to them?

[coolsoldier]

Apple is going WAAAAY overboard with the metal stuff. It looks good in simple apps that usually only have one window (i.e. iTunes, iCal, Calculator), but for apps like Safari, Mail, etc. I just have to go in there with Interface Builder and take the metal out...just means more work for me. Metal only looks decent if they leave some border room around the edge of the window.

Remember how strict apple used to be about interface guidelines? Now it seems they're swinging to the other extreme:mad: .

[seven5]

everyone please go send in a feedback note to apple to TONE IT DOWN WITH THE BRUSHED METAL!!

I just did it, And am sooo sick of it.

We all love all their apps, so we all have them open, it makes the great Aqua interface look like bruhsed metal, its terrible.

Not to mention that this breaks their Human Interface Guidelines:

Mac OS X version 10.2 provides developers with a new ?textured? window appearance (see Figure 5-4). This window style has been designed specifically for use by?and is therefore best suited to?applications that provide an interface for a digital peripheral, such as a camera, or an interface for managing data shared with digital peripherals, such as the Address Book application.

This appearance may also be appropriate for applications that strive to re-create a familiar physical device?the Calculator application, for example. Avoid using the textured window appearance in applications or utilities that are unrelated to digital peripherals or to the data associated with these devices.

Go give them feedback here:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/feedback/

[Choppaface]

bleh.... now they're putting it on everything? come on it's getting old really fast...

[cnladd]

Originally posted by smashedapart
It's a little out there, but, has anyone considered that Apple might be turning Mail into an entry-level mail program? Think about it, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, all of these consumer-oriented apps sport the metal interface. Maybe there's more to this than what's on the surface. Perhaps Apple is working on a pro Mail app like Outlook and is planning to use the metal theme to separate the two...? It kinda fits with the rumors that Apple has been working on their own Office suite. Just an idea...

-- smashedapart

I don't think that's out there at all. This was my first thought, as well. The post indicated that Mail will have a look similar to iChat and Safari and everyone instantly jumps on the "metal" look. There's more than just the metal look in those two apps, folks. Those two apps, along with the other iLife apps, have one other thing in common -- simplicity in design. Mail, while fairly easy to set up and use, has a more complicated interface than is necessary for the functionality that it provides. Turning it into something closer to what iChat is, for example, would make it easier to integrate Mail into the OS.

And no, it's not yet integrated into the OS. It's bundled with it, and it sports a (minimal) level of integration with other apps (primarily Address Book), but further integration is possible.

I think smashedapart is right on the money with the idea of a "Pro" version of Mail, especially with Microsoft's recent announcement of Exchange support for Entourage. The new app, probably not called "Mail", would likely integrate the functionality of iCal, Address Book, iSync, iChat, and possibly some other iLife apps. Not necessarily an all-in-one app, but an app that just pulls all the disparate pieces together into a cohesive whole.

And if it offers better integration with Keynote, and other potential office-type apps that Apple would hopefully come out with, all the better. :-)

[chewbaccapits]

Originally posted by coolsoldier
Apple is going WAAAAY overboard with the metal stuff. It looks good in simple apps that usually only have one window (i.e. iTunes, iCal, Calculator), but for apps like Safari, Mail, etc. I just have to go in there with Interface Builder and take the metal out...just means more work for me. Metal only looks decent if they leave some border room around the edge of the window.

Remember how strict apple used to be about interface guidelines? Now it seems they're swinging to the other extreme:mad: .


relax, its just a color change...You guys/gals get all flustered...I think it looks cool...

[howard]

wow this is definitely making a bad program ugly

[Freg3000]

Bad idea. Everything can't be brushed metal. Can it?

[jholzner]

Originally posted by awulf
Mail is the only Apple app with the Aqua interface. So that would have been expected to change.

I hope they add a formatting tool bar for composing emails.

Actually, Sherlock, Preview, Image Capture, Chess, Keynote, and many of Apple's apps in the utilities folder are not Brushed Metal. Personally, I like it...I think it adds some style to the apps. and I think it blends well with Aqua anyway. Many of my friends who use PCs really like the brused metal appearance.

[MM2270]

Originally posted by Backtothemac
...I wish the entire OS was metal. If only I could do that somehow.

If you really want that, then check out Unsanity's Metallifizer haxie. It let's you turn the metal look for apps on or off, your choice. Look for it on VersionTracker.

Personally I think the brushed metal look is getting to be used on too many apps' intefaces. Wasn't the brushed metal supposed to be used only for apps that accessed some hardware directly, like iTunes and QuickTime, etc. It seems like Apple's breaking their own rules, but I seriously wish they'd just make up their damn minds already about which look to go with. Is it going to be Aqua or metal? :rolleyes: Sheesh!

[Escher]

Yeuck! WTF?!? I'm sick of this damn brushed metal look taking over Apple apps like the plague!:mad: :confused: :mad: :confused: :mad:

Escher

[beez7777]

i sense an online petition coming......

anyway, i guess i dont mind. personally, i prefer the aqua look over the brushed metal, except in apps like iTunes, QT, etc. also, sherlock's also probly due for a makeover as well...

[ennerseed]

Seriously though, metal fits digital life apps. Aqua for utilities, OS, etc. and Tha pro grey shaded look for pro apps... Now all Apple has to do is open that (Pro Grey) look to developers, Maya just looks silly in aqua.

[timbloom]

I, personally, really enjoy the brushed metal in many apps: Mail, System Preferences...
Just gives those apps a more refined feel to the interface.
It is slightly away from the norm, but c'mon, just because it looks slightly different, does not make it less functional.

Personally, I have always had a little grudge with the stop lights and the pinstriping, makes the OS look childish in some aspects.

I would like to see what finder windows would look like with a real metal appearance. Since it is only carbon, it can't be metallified. Themes are too static, unlike the dynamic look of apple's textured UI.

I agree that it should be an option built into the system though. It should be my choice wether I want a lickable UI, or a strictly-business UI.

[skotmiller]

I think it would be smart for Apple to work with Theme developers. I LOVE Metal and HATE Aqua. So I use a theme. It's that easy, but it would be better if they implemented it into the system. Maybe I'm wrong and people shouldn't have a choice.

[mikulashek]

I hope this is false, I am so tired of the metal look, they should instead give us an option on all the iapps etc to use either metal or aqua.

[e2chris]

i dont believe you guys are fighting over a GUI color... lol

[suzerain]

maybe instead of making Mail look like a cheesy imitation of a 1980s stereo component, they should, like make the damned program faster!

i tried using it for about 6 months, and had to go back to eudora.

the program is amazingly slow...like, the only way it could be as slow as it is is if you intentionally went out of your way as a developer and *tried* to make it slow.

and all the damned thing does is sort and display text files, with the occasional attachment!

i'm a big Mac fan, but I think Mail is a piece of ****.

So, they might as well make it look like one, too.

[scem0]

Which loads faster, metal or aqua? if metal loads faster, then I
don't care, but if it is slower, then I think apple shouldn't do it.
But all in all, it doesn't matter. ;)

[RayCon]

Originally posted by Malic
I just had a thought ... Aqua's pinstripe style mirrored (in spirit) the physical design style of the iMac. With the metal look, is this a sign of things to come? Will all Mac's have a brushed metal "PowerBook" style to them?

More than just the iMac. My 17" flat panel -- and, I think, all their other flat panel displays -- have the pinstripe. As a matter of fact, the stripes I am looking at now exactly mirror the ones on my aquafied Safari.

To think that the transition to a brushed metal GUI may lead to brushed metal desktop units is an interesting observation. Imagine, however, that if Apple does it, eventually, the entire computer industry -- and a huge chunk of the general retail market -- will go brushed metal. Imagine brushed metal vacuum cleaners. ; )

[timbloom]

I see no difference in how fast they load. I use metallifizer on almost everything.

Is this really that bad?! I think it looks better!

[TEG]

on Perversion Tracker (http://www.perversiontracker.com) They talk about how Apple wants brushed metal for Apps that represent Devices.
QT = TV\VCR
DVD Player = Duh!
iTunes = Jutebox
iMovie\FCP = Two VCRs and an Editing Board
iPhoto = Photo Album
Safari = (IE?)

So it makes sense for Mail to be brushed metal
Mail = Mail Box

Apple Works really should be Metalizied
AW = Typewriter/ Paper and pencil

My 24,601 Cents Worth (BTW thats $246.01, some one should grab it and buy a Game Cube (And 4 Games) or a refurbished iPod with it.)

TEG

[serpicolugnut]

Personally, I prefer the Metal GUI to the Aqua GUI. At the very least, I would like for Apple to give us the option to use either look system wide.

I've been using Path Finder alot lately, and it has the option to run it with the Metal GUI. I think it looks much better. One of the best looking themes out there is Max Rudberg's Brushed theme. It eliminates the problems many designers have with Aqua - namely, the brightness of the white areas can be quite harsh to look at all day. I personally find a more neutral grey nicer to look at.

So, if Mail does go metal, that's fine with me. Just take it a step further and give us the option to use Metal throughout the entire UI. Apple's logic behind using the Metal GUI is now been broken, so let's see it systemwide!

[macfreak]

Actually, i like the metal interface...i got burned out on the aqua thing after a while. Actually what would be even better is if you could switch between aqua and metal, but i suppose that will be left to ResEdit.

Call me wierd, but i find the metal GUI attractive. :)

[timbloom]

I personally don't think they ever really had a set system saying "these will be metal, these will not". I think Apple thought that these certain apps looked nicer with metal. It is great to give developers that option, too. I believe that it was a widely requested option by developers to offer something that wasn't so kindergarten-ish.

I really think safari looks horrid with Aqua. So does iChat.

[scem0]

I think that it would be nice if apple let you choose what you
want in the mail preferences.

[pwfletcher]

Will it rust?

[deejemon]

*

[Codemonkey]

Originally posted by seven5
[quote from the HIG]

Hey - good catch on that. I personally think that it's a bit of a stretch to say that Mail.app represents the "mail box" device...:rolleyes: So, in having said that it seems to me that they're rewriting the rules as they go along (whatever mood Jobs is in at the moment)... so nothing's changed... ;-P

Personally, I don't care... like others have said: it makes Windows users drool, and might actually add a little functinality (draggable-from-anywhere windows).

[alset]

Good job, Apple! Why don't you just destroy every single thing I love about X. After 10.24 created problems on three formerly stable machines, it's nice to see that Apple is backing down when it comes to disappointing me.

This is weak.

Dan

[BubbaTAC]

gross, I wish they would drop the brushed metal all together...its cheesy

[job]

i'm not sure why people are getting their panties in a knot here.

look at safari and how easy it was for someone to create a hack that allowed for a pinstripe UI. it's not like you can't change the UI of apple apps.

come on people, this OS is a version of unix/distant bastard cousin of linux. if it can be hacked it will.

i'm willing to wager money that if they do release this updated interface, someone will have a haxie within weeks.

[scem0]

and just to add to what Hitman is saying - it is only how the
application looks. If you don't like it, I'm sure you will have no
problem living with it. And if you just cant stand it, there will
most probably be a GUI mod.

[macmax]

Originally posted by ubergrid
Jeez, with all the great design Apple has, I don't know why they keep screwin around with this cheezy metal crap.

i hate it too

[beatle888]

wow i had no idea how many HATE the brushed metal. :D hehehe i am always on the minorities side hmmm, well i like that :D tells me im doing something right :D

seriously though, the white trimmed windows with the strips is what i dont like, i prefer the grey. anyway, we can always use a mod to change things to our preference.

i know i know, "BUT I DONT WANT TO HAVE TO USE A MOD, IT SHOULD BE BUILT INTO THE OS."
why? to satisfiy you? what im saying is apple isnt going to satisfy everybody. however if you can prove that the majority doesnt like it apple MIGHT do something about it.

anyway, apple already stated that anything to do with the internet will be brush metal. damn dont have a link to it but i think its pretty well known.


edit
hmmm, maybe im wrong, i THOUGHT it was reserved for internet apps...but then what about sherlock and iMovie. guess im wrong.

[beatle888]

Originally posted by e2chris
i dont believe you guys are fighting over a GUI color... lol

well, believe it or not your eyes and what it perceives are an important part in an overall computer experience which apple specializes in :rolleyes: and we are simply discussing their progress.

[pantagruel]

brushed metal is just a trend they are going through, or a phase more precisely. in a year from now it will be something different, but that year cant come soon enough because brushed metal is an eyesore, from a design aspect it completely sucks.

[beatle888]

Originally posted by suzerain
maybe instead of making Mail look like a cheesy imitation of a 1980s stereo component, they should, like make the damned program faster!



it works fine for me, ive been using it for the last two years. tibook667 512ram

[backdraft]

Originally posted by vniow
Ick, this is what it'll look like:

http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=266903

Apple should dump the metal look period. The only apps that look good with the metallic look are quicktime and iTunes. Safari looks like crap with metal, so does iSync, iCal, iMovie, Address Book, etc... metal should be for media players ONLY!

The Metal look + colored icons = bad mix.

Apple is messing up something they got right the first an example of this the Show/Get info box... damn disclosure triangles

:mad:

I hope there's a way to get rid of the metal look on these apps it should be an option.

[backdraft]

Originally posted by hitman
i'm not sure why people are getting their panties in a knot here.

look at safari and how easy it was for someone to create a hack that allowed for a pinstripe UI. it's not like you can't change the UI of apple apps.

come on people, this OS is a version of unix/distant bastard cousin of linux. if it can be hacked it will.

i'm willing to wager money that if they do release this updated interface, someone will have a haxie within weeks.

Third party hacks and GUI mod's sloooooow X to a crawl :mad:

First Party solution's PLEASE!

Some ideas:
http://www.geocities.com/juan_m

[Awimoway]

Originally posted by pantagruel
brushed metal is an eyesore, from a design aspect it completely sucks.

Can you give some reasons?

Personally, I think Aqua is a design nightmare. It's two metaphors at once--the pinstripe panels that look like nice wallpaper or bond paper--and the garish, lollipop-colored aqua widgets that seem to have nothing to do with pinstripe. They clash. It looks awful.

Brushed metal is easier on the eyes and does not clash as badly with the widgets (in graphite coloration at least), but even here I think they should change the buttons and scrollbar to something more metallic-looking, furthering the metaphor.

Maybe some peope think brushed metal looks cheesy because it reminds them of appliances from the 70s? Guess what folks--design tastes are cyclical, and brushed metal is now considered classy, not cheesy. If you think it looks cornball, you're probably showing your age (i.e. old enough to remember the era AND still be embarrassed by it).

[suzerain]

Originally posted by beatle888
it works fine for me, ive been using it for the last two years. tibook667 512ram

i never said it didn't *work*...aside from its bizarre interface, it seems to work fine.

it just works verrrrry slowly...things that literally take less than a second in eudora can take up to 10-20 seconds in Mail. that's a major difference.

for instance, sort a mailbox with ~7,500 or so messages in it. highlight 100 emails and drag them to another inbox.

if you compare side by side with...well...any other email program, you'll see a noticeable speed difference.

if it was a small speed difference, i wouldn't be bitching...but from "instant" to 10 seconds? to do something simple like change from sort by subject to sort by date?

apple has proven that they can write fast software, now that they have released Safari. it's time for iCal and Mail to follow suit.

editing my post to put it on topic: i think the problem with the brushed metal is that it doesn't look like brushed metal. rather, it looks like grey stripes with a cheesy blend. my guess is that's why a lot of people don't like it. (hold some brushed metal next to your screen and you'll see what i mean.) but, as someone pointed out, it is nice to have windows that are draggable from anywhere.

[alset]

Here's another thought - I might like the metal interface if it wasn't so awkwardly implemented. I often notice that metal apps, such as iTunes and QT Player look nice only when they have a border. This was a handy feature in 9, and may serve to make the god-awful ugly Safari a contender in my browser experience.

Metal without a border is a sham. I would rather sacrifice a few pixels of real-estate by having a slightly larger window than hate my GUI. And, btw, I gotta say I hate metal with a fiery passion.

One last note - Apple obviously responds to user comments on forums across the web... perhaps they will notice the backlash against metal if enough people raise their voices.

Dan

[bretm]

Originally posted by beatle888


edit
hmmm, maybe im wrong, i THOUGHT it was reserved for internet apps...but then what about sherlock and iMovie. guess im wrong.

Well, when apple came out with the imac, SJ stated that the i stood for internet. Guess he blew that out of the water awhile ago too. Just what does the i stand for now in all the i apps? Got me. It's just silly really.

[pantagruel]

Originally posted by Awimoway
Can you give some reasons?

Personally, I think Aqua is a design nightmare. It's two metaphors at once--the pinstripe panels that look like nice wallpaper or bond paper--and the garish, lollipop-colored aqua widgets that seem to have nothing to do with pinstripe. They clash. It looks awful.

Brushed metal is easier on the eyes and does not clash as badly with the widgets (in graphite coloration at least), but even here I think they should change the buttons and scrollbar to something more metallic-looking, furthering the metaphor.

Maybe some peope think brushed metal looks cheesy because it reminds them of appliances from the 70s? Guess what folks--design tastes are cyclical, and brushed metal is now considered classy, not cheesy. If you think it looks cornball, you're probably showing your age (i.e. old enough to remember the era AND still be embarrassed by it).
Sorry but brushed metal and the form used by apple is not retro (70's) your thinking of stainless steel and chrome looks, not the same. and where else are you finding brushed metal that is considered classy, a car?
sorry but I dont compare the look and desing of software to cars, otherwise my Windows would be tinted. hahha, that was bad.

[marklander]

Someone earlier mentioned Themes by Max Rudberg (http://homepage.mac.com/max_08/index.htm)...I'd like to echo that it's very easy to theme your mac.

For those of you who like Brushed, he has a theme that will make it all so.

For those, like me, who got tired of Aqua, he has a beautiful, simple theme called Rhapsodized that has the elegance of OSX with the clean look of Rhapsody...best of all, brushed apps are retained, but toned-down considerably (except iTunes and Quicktime--for some reason).

Give it a try.

[gandalf55]

as long as mail is improved, i don't care so much how it looks. it will look okay regardless - apple is king of elegant ui.

[scem0]

Originally posted by bretm
Well, when apple came out with the imac, SJ stated that the i stood for internet. Guess he blew that out of the water awhile ago too. Just what does the i stand for now in all the i apps? Got me. It's just silly really.

I don't think he ever said it stood for internet. To the best of my
knowledge, that is just a large misconception, and it really stands
for imagine.

[BigJayhawk]

I can't believe that so many have posted to this thread (now add one more). I was at Kinkos yesterday and they were having problems getting their scanner to work on some sweet looking Dell equipment. The guy scanned it finally on the old G-3 Mac they had that the designer in back would not let go of -- despite some paid agreement with Dell for this neat new equipment.

They were still rebooting XP Pro (Microshaft's latest and greatest) after the Mac had ONCE AGAIN paid for its keep.

The point of this is -- the Windoze world is still drooling over our OS (whether they admit it or not) and we are up in arms over a RELATIVELY meaningless GUI transition that will be here for the next year or so, maybe? If you don't like it then change it with Software.

I happen to LIKE the fact that the GUI is more closely representing my TiBook (after all, it is the YEAR OF THE LAPTOP). Some others would disagree. Oh well, MOVE ON!

[cubist]

Originally posted by alset
Here's another thought - I might like the metal interface if it wasn't so awkwardly implemented. I often notice that metal apps, such as iTunes and QT Player look nice only when they have a border. ...

That's what I don't like. Right now I am looking at a window (Safari) with a metal top that has rounded corners; but the left side is a blue line, and the right and bottom sides are blue, 3D scroll bars, with square corners. Mixed metaphors! Would you expect such a weird concoction from a company famed for the quality and consistency of its user interface?

And, for that matter, we can't select from a set of themes?! What's going on, are Apple and Microsoft trading places?!!

[timdorr]

I already have my Mail.app looking like this now. I just edited the .nib files in the app's package contents. Simple as pie with the devtools. I think it looks a lot better, but that's just me :P

[coolsoldier]

For those of you who like brushed metal and hate/dislike Aqua, there's Duality + Max Rudburg. For those of us who like Aqua (or any other theme for that matter) and dislike brushed metal, we have to manual disable BM for each app in interface builder. (or use metallifizer which is only slightly better). I like my apps to stick with the aqua theme primarily because my duality themes don't apply to brushed metal apps. I like to pick ONE theme, and have all my apps look the same, and i DON'T want that theme to be brushed metal.

[simX]

Step 1: Download and install developer tools, and open Interface Builder.

Step 2: Uncheck "Textured Window" from every window you don't want to be brushed metal.

Step 3: (insert Goldblum chuckle here) there's no step 3, there's no step 3!

-----

(Step 4: SHUT THE **** UP.)

I am SO SICK of hearing that brush metal sucks, that it looks cheesy, blah, blah, blah. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, DON'T USE IT. It's as simple as that. Apple has always made tons of choices for its users without really consulting them, and no one has complained -- I don't see how this one is any different. Hacks/workarounds have always come out, and this issue is also no different. Just follow the above 3 steps.

Plus, I really can't fathom how 1 inch of brushed metal in Safari can make it look bad. Yeesh, the brushed metal is only in the toolbar! That's all! I hardly even notice it anymore!

*shakes head* Some people.

[aasun]

great! how do i get devtools without being an ADC member... and without paying for the cd?

[dpertell]

timdor,

How do you get that metal look for mail?

[job]

Originally posted by aasun
great! how do i get devtools without being an ADC member... and without paying for the cd?

It should have come

a) with your new Mac..

but if you did not purchase a new Mac, then it should have come with...

b) with your copy of OSX

but if you don't have X...

c) then there's no problem. ;)

[copperpipe]

whatever theme Apple uses people would complain.

The truth is it's not hard to change the appearance of your computers look in almost any way you want to.

The truth is we're all just chatting it up here because we're waiting for something *real* to talk about!

I love it!:)

[vniow]

Metallifizer: Do you have a love/hate relationship with Aqua/brushed metal? (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21013)

[beatle888]

Originally posted by pantagruel
I dont compare the look and desing of software to cars, otherwise my Windows would be tinted. hahha, that was bad.

:D i liked it

[beatle888]

Originally posted by suzerain
i never said it didn't *work*...aside from its bizarre interface, it seems to work fine.


i actually meant to say, it works fine for ME. i couldnt imagine having hundreds of emails in my mail program. but if i did, i would most likely save to disk and organize them according to project/subject.

i know a lot of people that dont like the mail program. i am fortunate enough to have it work well for me.

[tjwett]

I've always thought Aqua was gross and annoying, all that white is rough on the eyes. But the brushed metal thing is not much better, it's tacky and dated. iTunes looks good with it, as does Quicktime but when you start to have too much GUI on top it starts to get ugly. I'd like to see an OS that is truly transparent and out of my way. I think that would be that exact opposite of the Aqua interface. It would be nice and minimal and dark with lots of transparency, not bright white with pinstripes like a Morty Seinfeld suit.

[ebow]

Originally posted by marklander

For those, like me, who got tired of Aqua, he has a beautiful, simple theme called Rhapsodized that has the elegance of OSX with the clean look of Rhapsody...best of all, brushed apps are retained, but toned-down considerably (except iTunes and Quicktime--for some reason).

Give it a try. [/B]

I agree whole-heartedly! Rhapsodized will probably stay my theme until it breaks. I was using QuicksilveR (http://www.lostboi.com/) but it didn't make enough distinction between foreground and background windows, much like Aqua. In Rhapsodized, the tabs (like for tabbed browsing) aren't as distinct as they could be, but it's all such a nice escape from pinstripes...

Incidentally, if you want to do themes, try ThemeChanger (http://www.clichesw.com/products/themechanger/) -- much faster and simpler than Duality, and i's not nagware. Yes, it's an alpha, but it's worked fine for me (minor, non-damaging glitches) for about a dozen theme switches.

Wow, how very off-topic I've become. Oh well, the main thread of complaints and counter-complaints was getting boring. :rolleyes:

[kansaigaijin]

can't believe so many people don't know about themes. I actually forgot I had metallifizer, and just DLded it again, and changed Mail to metal. and I kind of like it. Changed a bunch of other apps to metal too. Makes a nice contrast, and gets rid of the title bar at thetop of windows, making the window one nice smmoth panel. Very clean looking.
As for metal being dated, tell that to all the people who just bought high end stainless steel appliances. Have you been to a high end design shop lately or check out any design mags?

Seen stainless steel wall or floor tiles? Very cool, and about US$100/sq.ft.

[tjwett]

Originally posted by kansaigaijin
...As for metal being dated, tell that to all the people who just bought high end stainless steel appliances. Have you been to a high end design shop lately or check out any design mags?...
Seen stainless steel wall or floor tiles? Very cool, and about US$100/sq.ft.

i agree there. stainless steele is great in the home. nothing is nicer than a stainless kitchen...but this is not steele we are talking about, this is a picture that is supposed to look like steel, which is not quite the same and maybe a bit cheesy? kind of like fake marble tiles. hell, why not make the whole OS look like wood while we're at it?

[ATobyWV]

The reason that some apps are not easily changed to or from Aqua/Metal is because those apps are all Carbon instead of Cocoa apps

[Paul Turpin]

Geez - I think you're all missing the point.

It depends highly upon what computer you're looking at it on. When looking at metallicized Safari on my 12" G4 - it blends real nice with the computer around it.

With that in my mind - what we need is a skin engine that looks at what computer you are using and changes the window GUI to match! Of course it should be user-configurable too.

Use a Al-book - get nice Aluminium metal
Use a G4 tower - graphite GUI
Use a flowered iMac - get a flowery GUI !!
Use a Wallstreet - get Black Plastic
Use a Beige G3 - you get the idea
Use a Dell - it just crashes - No GUI

[beatle888]

Originally posted by tjwett
i agree there. stainless steele is great in the home. nothing is nicer than a stainless kitchen...but this is not steele we are talking about, this is a picture that is supposed to look like steel, which is not quite the same and maybe a bit cheesy? kind of like fake marble tiles. hell, why not make the whole OS look like wood while we're at it?

everything in the GUI is an illusion. and the metal interface adds a tech quality. i dont seem to mind it, however im glad that my main applications dont use the brushed metal.

[reflex]

Originally posted by suzerain
the program is amazingly slow...like, the only way it could be as slow as it is is if you intentionally went out of your way as a developer and *tried* to make it slow.


Oh, but making a program slow is no effort at all. Really.

[Hmm]

I like the brushed metal, especially in Safari. The fonts in the bookmarks bar and the title bar all have an engraved look to them.

Either way, it's still better than the WindowsXP Luna garbage brought to you by the merger of Fisher-Price and the Cartoon Network.

[F/reW/re]

The colorfull iMac HW period is over.
Why do Apple continue this periode in the GUI.
Don't they get it? Everybody is going to hate this interface in two years and some alredy do.

Give me back my OS9 GUI. Stop making everything so year 2000 mainstream. The iEra is already over!!

OSX interface basicly is a spacewaster for kids.

[TheInevitable]

I think that most of you would complain no matter what they made it look like. You're just a bunch of whiners!

I dig the metal interface. No, I wouldn't want it on everything, but its on Safari, so it makes sense to put it on mail. It makes the two apps more seamless.

[kenohki]

Yeah I think the brushed metal looks way better than that harsh aqua pinstripe candy cane crap. I even have those foofy close/dock/max buttons turned to the graphite theme. But then again, I was a NeXTstep user and NeXTstep's icons were on brushed metal. Hell, the whole dock was brushed metal. So, maybe since the Mac cube flopped, this is Steve's retribution. *snicker* Pushing us farther toward his beloved NeXT.

In all honesty though, the grey color is much easier on the eyes, is more neutral, and IMO, looks much less like plastic. But it really is a minor thing to worry about. OS X is worlds better than XP (slap a colored window around the same ol' widgets) or *cringe* the nightmare that OS 9 became before it's death. Be glad that people at Apple are finally taking interface design seriously again instead of slapping the latest and greatest shareware UI hack into the OS as became the case with 8/9. And take heart, it could be worse, you could be using KDE. (Or much worse, CDE). *snicker*

[Awimoway]

It may also depend on your biology. My optometrist asked me if I had trouble with bright sunlight because my gray-blue eyes have almost no pigmentation in them, making them more sensitive to bright whites. Maybe that's one reason I like brushed metal bettern than pinstripe.

And it may depend on the monitor you're looking at. My 17" studio display looks much better than the FP iMacs at the lab I work at, where everything looks fuzzier, less refined.

[Nemesis]

Originally posted by dpertell
timdor,

How do you get that metal look for mail?

I think we are all on the wrong way. In official Apple's technical documentation for developers, they've put info about using brushed metal interface:

/*
Use brushed metal interface for applications that communicate with external devices, such as digital cameras, MP3 players, scanners, ...
*/

Now, let's try to think Apple's way. Brushed metal just means they're going to introduce a new device that will be connected somehow with your Mail.app. And vice versa.

So now, let's all guess what that might be!!!!

:D

[twelve]

thats it i've had enough. i'm switching back!

[aharon]

brushed metal, not brushed metal...whatever. Does it check my mail, yep it does. With all the other apps as brushed metal is this really such a shocker? Nope.

[cnladd]

Originally posted by kenohki
And take heart, it could be worse, you could be using KDE. (Or much worse, CDE). *snicker*

KDE, at the very least, tries to maintain a consistent look and feel across applications.

As for CDE, I don't see what the snicker is about. Now, I'll agree that the CDE today is no longer needed. But, it did fill a very important gap. Most people think of Sun Solaris when they think of the CDE, but that's only because of how prolific the OS is. The CDE is a common look and feel that was implemented amongst a wide range of UNIX (and some non-UNIX) vendors. I remember a datacenter with several console servers side-by-side: Solaris, Digital UNIX, Tru64 UNIX, VMS, HP-UX, IRIX, and Linux. They all had the exact same interface. More importantly, the interface configuration files were portable across all of those environments.

That right there saved countless hours in support of the users who had Solaris, Digital UNIX, HP-UX, Linux, or VMS workstations. Sure, the apps they each ran were different, but a single unified interface made things so much easier to support.

Yes, it was ugly. But being beautiful wasn't the point. It was usable -- countless usability studies went into it -- for technical users and it was consistent.

[Chrisse]

To divide programs from windows is a very professional soultion I think, and I hope that this is what Apple is about to do. I think all applications should be using the brushed metal GUI.

Just look at MS Windows. You can't really tell wich windows are windows and which windows are programs when your desktop is filled with them, can you?

It's a splendid solution. I love it! :)

This is my first post by the way. I just thought I had to say something about this, because everyone seems to complain. :rolleyes:

[kenohki]

Originally posted by cnladd
KDE, at the very least, tries to maintain a consistent look and feel across applications.

As for CDE, I don't see what the snicker is about. Now, I'll agree that the CDE today is no longer needed. But, it did fill a very important gap. Most people think of Sun Solaris when they think of the CDE, but that's only because of how prolific the OS is. The CDE is a common look and feel that was implemented amongst a wide range of UNIX (and some non-UNIX) vendors. I remember a datacenter with several console servers side-by-side: Solaris, Digital UNIX, Tru64 UNIX, VMS, HP-UX, IRIX, and Linux. They all had the exact same interface. More importantly, the interface configuration files were portable across all of those environments.

That right there saved countless hours in support of the users who had Solaris, Digital UNIX, HP-UX, Linux, or VMS workstations. Sure, the apps they each ran were different, but a single unified interface made things so much easier to support.

Yes, it was ugly. But being beautiful wasn't the point. It was usable -- countless usability studies went into it -- for technical users and it was consistent.

I'd say there is plenty to snicker about. I still have a CDE machine at home (a SPARC machine running Solaris 7) and it's got a horrible interface. Want to change something, edit a text file. The only thing it's good for is as a window manager. Maybe you can have a couple shortcuts to your apps. But you sure as hell can't change or do anything meaningful to the system through CDE. Ooh, change my beep length or my window color. Whoop dee doo. And when you start talking about any driver or configuration issues with those Unices, they are light years behind OS X, barely usable to an end user, IMO.

Sure, CDE may have been a little better than OpenLook (some would beg to differ), but it wasn't anything near usable for anything other than system admins. It was basically Sun caving in to HP with Motif and HP-Vue.

As far as KDE, I've seen so many different configurations that it's hard to know what value it adds besides integrated apps. Once you customize every little widget, throw on dissimilar window managers, and then run something like AfterStep or Gnome with it, who knows how it will turn out. Maybe the integrated apps have a common feel, but if you just look at the screenshots on their web, you see the horrible inconsistency of that environment. End game, it's not usable on the desktop.

I'll give you the point that both environments serve their purpose, that much is true. But I'll go out on a limb and say that if Mac users had to use CDE or KDE, they would be miserable. However, I'd wager a large amount of cash that there would be a lot of CDE or KDE users that would be thrilled to have an interface as powerful and consistent as the Mac OS X UI.

[neilg]

Originally posted by TheInevitable
I think that most of you would complain no matter what they made it look like. You're just a bunch of whiners!

People are 'whining' because they give a damn. Apple does great UI because it gives a damn. If we didn't give a damn we'd end up with XP.
That's why we're 'whining'...;)

[me_94501]

Originally posted by seven5
everyone please go send in a feedback note to apple to TONE IT DOWN WITH THE BRUSHED METAL!!


I just did. I like it for the iApps, but for everything else, as someone else said, you should be able to toggle it on/off.

[LimeiBook86]

I think that Mail looks nice in Aqua, maybe the metal interface will be better, but I don't know. That would be cool if you can change the theme. that would be nice... :D

[d46799]

Metal this and metal that...its a fad, and like most fads, it, too, shall pass. Its novelty instead of true innovation, that's all. Nothing wrong with novelty, mind you, just keep in in perspective.

[deejemon]

*

[beatle888]

oh wow, i just realized something. have you guys noticed that all metalized applications have the window and all toolbars or buttons built INTO that window? as opposed to say photoshop were the document window is separate from all its tools?

i think it gives devices a good front end....like the front of a vcr or even a tv or a microwave. all the windows in these applications contain the WHOLE application features that would otherwise be split up between bunches of pallets making it harder to organize and manage your desktop space.

having these apps that tend to work in this "hardware face plate" style seems to be a way to simplify our computing....the experience is smoother and less work is involed moving windows and pallets around. as far as it being metal....i dont care....i like the mix between aqua and the metal. but i LOVE the way they are containing all the features and tools within the metal framed windows.


actaully i think this post planted the seed of realization :D


Chrisse
macrumors newbie


Registered: Mar 2003
Location:



To divide programs from windows is a very professional soultion I think, and I hope that this is what Apple is about to do. I think all applications should be using the brushed metal GUI.

[xelterran]

they should make it look more authentic.. add some rust here and there.. maby some bumps and scratches... hmmm lol:p

[d46799]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by deejemon
[B]Since when is it "metal"?

Its clear to me that they're trying to simulate a real-world texture known as "brushed metal". Its a textured effect applied to metal surfaces to make it look cooler. To achieve this in real life, they take a big sheet of aluminum or steel and push it through a big machine with an abrasive spinning roller. I seen 'em do it--its pretty cool. As far as I know its only done for looks.

[scem0]

I sent in feedback saying that it would be easy for them and
good for everybody if they included a a preference pane where
you can specify which GUI you want.

[Awimoway]

A GUI theme preference pane for 10.3 would make a lot of sense.

One of those nice little extras to induce people to pay the somewhat excessive price Apple will inevitably charge for Panther.

[kansaigaijin]

just versiontrack for the various themechangers, and get soem themes or make your own.

[Awimoway]

Originally posted by kansaigaijin
just versiontrack for the various themechangers, and get soem themes or make your own.

Not sure if you've read the whole thread. Many of us do not like the half-a$$ed implementation you see in some apps with third-party theme changers. We want something more stable and, frankly, I trust Apple to put out something better-looking than all those Windows XP retreads I've seen.