Got a sneak peak of a very buggy 10.4 today!

[Hodapp]

A friend of mine I have known since grade school worked his way up through the Apple corporate ladder, first as a sales rep in my area, or whatever you call the guy who straightens up the Apple section of CompUSA/Best Buy and over the years has risen Fairly high to the quality control department, or whatever apple calls the guys who critique Apple's applications for usability and intuitiveness. (That's what I understand his job is anyway, to give the developers notes on what features to change/add to keep the Macintosh 'experience.')

Anyway, he has been living out in the Cupertino area for the past couple of years, and recently had a death in his family, so he flew back home... And while he was here, he looked up the old crew of guys we used to hang out with back in the good ol' days. We got talking about how much of a Mac-head I've turned in to, owning nearly every product they've released in the past few years since I was 'reborn' as a Mac user when I kicked my Dell out the window one day. So he says he has something I bet I'd like to see, and he pulls out his 15 inch PowerBook.

My buddy apparently was able to sneak out a machine running a very early alpha version of OSX 10.4, currently dubbed "Ocelot." The first boot up resulted in a kenel panic, which we joked about, but after that it was smooth as gravy.

I'm going to do my best to try to describe what it was like here, I'll do my best to field any questions because I'm sure I'll miss some things.

Apple was the first to revolutionize the GUI world with the concept of windows, multiprocessing, etc... Well, let me tell you, you ain't seen NOTHING yet. 10.4 allows for the placement of windows on a completely 3d plane. Imagine your desktop as sort of a 3d orb that you can place windows on, and rotated in 3d space.

Apparently they're going to introduce a new mouse with a track ball where the scroll wheel usually is, and using this track ball, you can rotate the 'sphere' of windows on your desktop to bring windows in and out of focus. Windows also have depth and dimensionality, meaning, windows can be linked together, and rotated like a cube.

Brushed metal is no more, everything is replaced with a semi-translucent plastic looking skin, so you can see through to windows on the other side of the 3d plane. This really was amazing because if you run out of desktop room, you just spin everything around, and you've got even more space to put windows on, and move them around... All the while you can see the old windows you were using, rotated off the screen and in the distance. The neatest feature being, quicktime will CONTINUE PLAYING, and you see your movie, skewed and backwards, like you're looking at the back of a movie screen!!!

Everything was running very slow, because the code apparently was not yet optimized for the non G5 computers, and apparently G3's may not be able to use most of the GUI enhancement features in 10.4.

Expose is still in place, except it is even cooler. The expose functions look like you're peeling the skin off an orange, and then flattening it, to view all the windows. Viewing only your application windows works much the same way, only it only 'skins' the windows associated with that application off the desktop 'sphere.'

He said that's all he could really show me, since it was an early alpha stage, he was just going the different widgets and method of control with the new 3D GUI.

Overall I'd say the new GUI is AMAZING. He promises me everything would be as fast as expose and the current GUI is now when it is released. Apparently the plan is to release it around the same time as Windows Longhorn, but that is very tentative, and it could come out earlier or later, he wasn't really sure.

Sorry for being kind of scatterbrained with this post, as I'm very excited and just writing as fast as I can to try to get everything down without leaving anything out.

But there you have it, 10.4, at least how windows work. :)

[Dont Hurt Me]

wish you had ask him how long till G5 imacs?

[RBMaraman]

Wow! That's all I can say.

Oh, and I'm already running 10.5 (Beta, of course). It's pretty cool. The thing that sucks is that Apple is going to charge $250 for it because you have to buy this glove, and you have to wear it to control the OS. The mouse is gone, and the glove is wireless, using Bluetooth 3 technology! It's quite amazing.

Sorry, but I just find this story hard to believe. I've known several people who work for Apple (in R&D), and I know how tight security is. I find it hard to believe that this person could "sneak out" a machine running a beta OS.

[Hodapp]

I figured I'd get this reaction, whether you believe it or not now, you'll see in a year or so. :)

[RBMaraman]

Originally posted by io_burn
I figured I'd get this reaction, whether you believe it or not now, you'll see in a year or so. :)

If you're right, I'll be the first person to apologize for doubting you.

If you're wrong, I'll be the first person to confiscate your Macs and bannish you to the world of Windows for all eternity.

Your fate rests on your words. May God have mercy on your computing soul.

[sethypoo]

Ha! I've got you all beat! My girlfriend knows this lady who knows this guy who knows this teacher who knows this doctor who knows this manager who knows this lawyer who knows this girl who knows Steve Jobs' daughter who is running Mac OS 11 on her black anodized PowerBook G7. She said, and I quote, "it's pretty cool".

[sethypoo]

Assuming you're serious.....

What about people with trackpads or regular, non-trackball equiped mice? What about them?

Can you turn the 3D GUI on and off?

Why didn't you take any pictures? That probably would have gotten you're friend in trouble, I know, but I'd like more proof.

This would be really cool if you were right.

[iMeowbot]

Originally posted by RBMaraman
Sorry, but I just find this story hard to believe. I've known several people who work for Apple (in R&D), and I know how tight security is. I find it hard to believe that this person could "sneak out" a machine running a beta OS.

Well... Apple did get a patent not long ago for a mouse with an iPod-like dial on top, so it's not too outlandish to think there might be some gimmicky software written to show off its capabilities. It does seem a bit much to think that something like that would become a standard desktop, though.

[sethypoo]

Yeah, this seems like a big leap for Apple. I thought Sun Microsytem's new 3D OS was neat, but it wasn't really neccessary. It's pretty, I'm sure, but I think I'd only turn it on or use the 3D capabilties when I wanted to show it of to a PC troll. :)

[mj_1903]

{Removed Post} - I feel no need to join in the discussion any further.

[wdlove]

I believe you in_burn. Have no reason to doubt you, you deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Thank you for the view into 10.4. So code name is to be "Ocelot." Well maybe I can get my name on the 10.5 "Tiger."

I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product this Fall. So far it's been once per year.

What will the semi-translucent plastic looking skin look like? Are there any samples that have that look?

[stoid]

While I am a bit skeptical about the validity of this description, if Apple wants to sell 10.4 they are going to have to include some awesome new features. Looking at the past updates, 10.1 and 10.2 all were for the most part only revisions, with 10.2 being the first really solid and stable and useful by the masses version of OS X. 10.3 added a lot of killer new features (Expose, Fast User Switching) that got most of the people who upgraded. If Apple wants even a fraction of the people to update, 10.4 is going to have to do some really cool stuff. Whether it's a 3D file browsing system, or Linux like AppleInsider is talking about, I'm sure that Apple will surprise us with something new and awesome!

How long was it after 10.2 that we got out first public petting of Jaguar?

[Counterfit]

Originally posted by wdlove
I believe you in_burn. Have no reason to doubt you, you deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Thank you for the view into 10.4. So code name is to be "Ocelot." Well maybe I can get my name on the 10.5 "Tiger."

I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product this Fall. So far it's been once per year.

What will the semi-translucent plastic looking skin look like? Are there any samples that have that look? I know on the street and in person it's good to be trusting, but...

[MacAficionado]

I just hope you do not ruin your buddy's career with this info. I mean with the specifics, it would be easy to find him and can him if Apple felt like doing that.

Also, I wonder how much longer this will delay Longhorn, as they are for sure going to try to implement something similar.

[airborne]

Originally posted by mj_1903
I personally know many members of the OS X team and they are hard at work finalizing 10.3.3 which will be the last set of serious 10.3 code before starting work on 10.4.

sure you do-- i am a custodian in the cupertino offices and i have seen some unbelivable things lately. now im just an old kook so maybe you dont believe me either, but i have seen bits and pieces of 10.4 and i think io_burn speaks the truth on this one.

maybe they have a separate team who works on the gui elements for the next rev. before theyre done finalizing the current batch of bugfixes or somthin but i totally believe io_burn's story, and i cant wait to get my geriatric paws on that sexy ocelot. oh the things we'll do togther....

to conclude-- dont be a naysayer mj_1903-- you may know some coders but you havent seen how shiny those linoleum floors are in there-- im very proud of them.

[mod. edit - Racist remark]

[aswitcher]

Originally posted by io_burn
A friend of mine I have known since grade school worked his way up through the Apple corporate ladder, first as a sales rep in my area, or whatever you call the guy who straightens up the Apple section of CompUSA/Best Buy and over the years has risen Fairly high to the quality control department, or whatever apple calls the guys who critique Apple's applications for usability and intuitiveness. (That's what I understand his job is anyway, to give the developers notes on what features to change/add to keep the Macintosh 'experience.')
SNIP

It sounds cool BUT if this is true your probably have seriously endangered your friends future with Apple...not something I would do...so I have serious doubts but thanks for the "rumor" because its an idea that would definetly be cool - although using expose to access multiple desktops for a single user would be far simplier!

[Hodapp]

I didn't name any names. :)

[mj_1903]

{Removed Post} - I feel no need to join in the discussion any further.

[aswitcher]

Originally posted by io_burn
I didn't name any names. :)

Sure, but I think you gave far enough information for an insider to figure out who they are if indeed their security is taken as seriously as we hear. Plus assuming your information is right its a pretty big cat out of the bag. I remember how many people wrote about Expose as perhaps the coolest feature of that series of announcements, and this plans to trump that...so I think Apple would be reasonably pissed about a signficant leak regarding it...

[Sol]

This story does not sound far fetched. The Apple guy in the story went back home because of a family death and in that state of mind he could have forgotten to erase OS X 10.4 from his laptop before leaving work. Then again, taking unfinished software home could be a practice that most Apple employees do anyway, without worrying too much about the consequences... like stealing stationary from the office.

The only inconsistency in the story is the mouse that was mentioned. Was this mouse used in the demonstration with the laptop? If not, then how were the spinning windows controlled? io_burn has a bit of explaining to do about this point.

Now this 3D interface that OS X 10.4 will supposedly feature sounds like a response to that Java OS that was shown off a few months ago. All that graphical power in modern PCs has to be utilised somehow and this sounds like a good way to do it.

The transparencies are also a good idea but this is something that Apple could have offered us a long time ago. Utilities exist for OS X that let you do this allready. I wonder if this might mean that transparent plastics might make a return to the consumer lines. White does not do it for me the same way that lime did back in the day of G3 iMacs.

Ocelot sounds like a good name. This is a type of Leopard that is bigger than a house-cat but not by much. It hunts small animals during the night. These days, it is listed as an endangered species.

[MisterMe]

Originally posted by io_burn

....

But there you have it, 10.4, at least how windows work. :) Yeah right. There are enough holes in that story to run all the CAT5 cable in California through.

[virividox]

well whether its true or not, we all know there is going to be a 10.4 anyway, the moment they released 10.3 they were already working on 10.4 (at least it would make sense, no use to rest on your laurels)

i just want one of the Os 10. _ to be galled Tigger not Tiger, Tigger hehe

[me_94501]

I'm going to reserve judgement on this. However, assuming this is true, I have two questions:
1) As someone else mentioned, can you turn the 3D desktop off?
2) What about the dock? Does it stay anchored at the bottom of the screen or does it rotate with the orb?

[ChrisH3677]

There's not much too radical in that story - eg 3D desktops have been around for a few years.

And that's why I'd expect to see most of those features in an upcoming OS X whether 10.4 or 10.5 anyways, so we'll never really know if io_burn speak truth or not.

So I don't think Apple will lose too much sleep over it altho if it is true i'm sure they'll take disciplinary action.

PS And Longhorn may not be out til 2007. I'm sure 10.4 won't be that long. I reckon by then we'll be up to 10.6.

[rdowns]

Ocelot? I was willing to buy the story until that popped up. After using two of the most powerful feline names- Jaguar and Panther, Apple is going to go with an Ocelot? Geesh, it's an overgrown house cat.

From a July MR post:

Apple has added Lynx, Cougar, Leopard, and Tiger to their collection of trademarks, under the common category of "computers; computer software; computer operating system software".

This may suggest that Apple will be continuing on their recent spree of naming major Mac OS X releases after members of the feline family.

Ocelot??????

[phpepete]

io_burn, about a year ago I was watching one of these late night open university programs on GUI design. It was all about optimising GUI design and they were testing many different GUI models with a test user group.

They concluded that the best GUI for the future will be exactly as you described, they showed this interactive 3D virtual desktop that allows you to see all other files and quickly access them as you would on a real world desk.

This Uni doing this GUI research was in the US, I forget the name but I do remember the program thinking it will be a long time before we see that type of GUI. :)

Pete

[Doraemon]

Originally posted by wdlove
Thank you for the view into 10.4. So code name is to be "Ocelot." Well maybe I can get my name on the 10.5 "Tiger."

Get MacOS X 10.2 Server. It's codenamed "Tigger". :D *bounce*


Originally posted by rdowns
Ocelot? I was willing to buy the story until that popped up. After using two of the most powerful feline names- Jaguar and Panther, Apple is going to go with an Ocelot? Geesh, it's an overgrown house cat.

While I don't know whether to believe io_burn's story or not, the fact that he describes an early alpha makes the codename "Ocelot" possible, don't you think (a small cat for an early development stage)?!

[CmdrLaForge]

Originally posted by io_burn
I didn't name any names. :)

Right, you didn't. But you gave a very good job description and that he was on vacation recently. I could imagine that they easily figure out who it is and then maybe he gets in trouble.

Anyhow - hope your not just kidding. Sounds awesome.

[titaniumducky]

There is no way he is telling the truth. Number 1, Apple Security is not that lax.

Number 2 is even more important. He said that it would be coming around LongHorn. Steve has told us it would be released in Fall of THIS year (as Panther was last year).

[amin]

Sounds too tricky to use. As long as my screen remains 2D, I don't want a 3D desktop. Hope this is not real.

[kuyu]

Sounds pretty neat. There's no telling whether it's true or not.

I would bet that even if this is a total fabrication, it's probably a pretty good estimation of things to come. Apple is going to have the fastest computer made soon, and it would be great if they offered a GUI option that made XP look "straight out of 1984".

In order to push a gui like this, you need a G5 with a 64-bit OS. I bet this GUI (giving benefit of doubt) is being developed along side 10.4 and 10.5, with the intent of implementation contingent on future system performance.

[DaveTheGrey]

If we belive or not... it makes no differents.
The story was pretty cool and it was fun to read it. If it´s true then fine, if not it doesn´t matter.

I think 10.4 will be great in this way, or in a nother and it will be better than longhorn for sure.

I don´t think that the codename has something to do with the release name.
As release name, "Gepard" would be cool.

Jaguar -> Panther -> Gepard
fast -> faster -> fastest

Dave

[ckelley]

This would be VERY cool and almost sounds the same as Project Looking Glass from Sun. http://wwws.sun.com/software/looking_glass/

You can watch a demo of that by clicking on the Demo link, although it is in RealMedia format :rolleyes:

Sun Microsystems' latest innovations by its Advanced Software Technology Team will make these "what-ifs" a reality for the desktop of the near future. Code-named Project Looking Glass, these Java technology-based developments will bring 3D windowing capabilities to the desktop to offer a far richer user experience for work and play. But, it's not only about looks, it's about creating an engaging user experience, one that can make communications and collaboration even easier.

http://wwws.sun.com/software/images/products/I1_looking_glass_lg.jpg

[Veldek]

Originally posted by Dave187
I don´t think that the codename has something to do with the release name.
As release name, "Gepard" would be cool.

Jaguar -> Panther -> Gepard
fast -> faster -> fastest

Dave

Don't want to shatter your dreams, but Gepard is German and means Cheetah in English, which has already been a release name of OS X...

[billyboy]

Ocelots are about as rare as that guy's future pay days at Apple- assuming he exists.

[DaveTheGrey]

Originally posted by Veldek
Gepard is German and means Cheetah in English, which has already been a release name of OS X...

sorry I didn´t know...
I´m sure apple will find a good name.

Dave

[bousozoku]

I consider that IBM is less secretive than Apple. When I had an early release of one of their operating systems, I had to keep it at work, behind locked doors, away from windows, and to myself per the non-disclosure agreement, I seriously doubt that Apple is allowing people to carry the thing out of the building to allow it to be shown to other people.

That said, Apple has worked on a 3D desktop (Project X, Hot Cocoa) for Mac OS 8.x, 9.x already. Would it be a stretch that they would be continuing to daydream about this? The current Finder already has little hints at 3D and certainly, the compositing layer uses OpenGL in Quartz Extreme so it's not a big deal to put a value in the z-axis and give it some depth.

[iJon]

i dont believe it. people that high up in apple arent dumb enough to walk around with a laptop with alpha operating systems, and if they did happen to have it then woudnt be dumb enough to show it to their old grade school buddy.

iJon

[Veldek]

Originally posted by Dave187
sorry I didn´t know...


No need to apologize...:D

[bitfactory]

Originally posted by iJon
i dont believe it. people that high up in apple arent dumb enough to walk around with a laptop with alpha operating systems, and if they did happen to have it then woudnt be dumb enough to show it to their old grade school buddy.

iJon


i'm with you... the story is big-time fantasy - and sounds almost exactly like Sun's Looking Glass. no sale.

[etoiles]

Originally posted by bousozoku

That said, Apple has worked on a 3D desktop (Project X, Hot Cocoa) for Mac OS 8.x, 9.x already. Would it be a stretch that they would be continuing to daydream about this? The current Finder already has little hints at 3D and certainly, the compositing layer uses OpenGL in Quartz Extreme so it's not a big deal to put a value in the z-axis and give it some depth.

I am convinced Apple must be 'playing around' with 3D GUI ideas, but that doesn't mean it is going to be used, especially if it is not more intuitive than the current solutions.

I think there is two big problems with 3D for GUI's: First, navigation. People need to learn how to move in space or manipulate objects, and they can also get lost. This might not be an issue for your average gamer kid, but other demographics might find it more challenging.
A popular misconception of 3D is that you 'gain' much more space to work in. In reality, you are still limited by your computer screen. 2D will always make better use of this space than some 3D projection, and perspective distorts windows information, you lose clarity. If you want to add more 'virtual screen space', then you can do it in 2D, too.

And second: data becomes more difficult to read the more information it contains. 2D is usually more efficient than 3D to display clear information because there is less 'overlap'. A good old example: the most efficient UI for a 'shooter' game would be a top 2D view, where you click on the enemy to kill them. It would not be as fun as UT2K, but way more deadly. Another example are filing systems: I have not seen a single 3D filing system that is easier/faster to use than 2D ones. Some people might be looking for a more entertaining way to interact with their machine, but probably not when they have to get work done.

I really like the way Apple has introduced some depth to the finder, with the subtle drop shadows and re-arrangement of windows under expose. But they work more in terms of layers than actual 3D space, which IMHO is the way to go. There is still a lot that could be done in this direction (stacks of windows that minimize to the desktop etc.), and I am sure that Apple will surprise us with some exciting new ideas in future...

[iJon]

Originally posted by bitfactory
i'm with you... the story is big-time fantasy - and sounds almost exactly like Sun's Looking Glass. no sale.
no kidding, we couldnt even get a leaked copy of garageband or find out what it was about before macworld, now there is the world changing 3d deskspace gui controlled by a trackball that a friend from grade school showed him.

iJon

[vniow]

Originally posted by titaniumducky
Steve has told us it would be released in Fall of THIS year (as Panther was last year).

Link?

[wdlove]

Originally posted by BlingBling 3k12

http://wwws.sun.com/software/images/products/I1_looking_glass_lg.jpg [/B]

Thank you for the link, BlingBling 3k12. That would be an awesome desktop, the 3D is really cool. I imagine that would use a lot of processor power & memory.

vinow, I think that titaniumducky like myself is going on the recent history of Apple. After all Steve did say "that there is a lot more coming throughout the year."

:cool:

[aswitcher]

Originally posted by titaniumducky
There is no way he is telling the truth. Number 1, Apple Security is not that lax.

Number 2 is even more important. He said that it would be coming around LongHorn. Steve has told us it would be released in Fall of THIS year (as Panther was last year).

So are we going to have to pony up more cash for the new OS? Is this definetly happening each year now as a revenue stream for Apple?

[iJon]

Originally posted by aswitcher
So are we going to have to pony up more cash for the new OS? Is this definetly happening each year now as a revenue stream for Apple?
its not like your forced to buy it every year. if you dont want it dont buy it, simple as that, no need to complain.

iJon

[aswitcher]

Originally posted by iJon
its not like your forced to buy it every year. if you dont want it dont buy it, simple as that, no need to complain.

iJon

I am not sure that I am complaining...but I disagree its a simple as buy or don't buy, when updates for other software then start only being written for the latest OS release or perhaps the last two. I just want to know if this is what Apple are going to do. Its not allot of money if the features continue to come in quantity to my mind but I would prefer to know this is their business model than guess when and why we might see updates. Does anyone know if Apple have declared anything?

[Grimace]

proof - any kind. Screen shot, digital pic, anything. No bonus points for "only" a description.

[johnnyjibbs]

I agree it sounds just like Project Looking Glass. There's no denying that most of that could quite easily be implemented into Mac OS X - most of the technology is already there in Quartz and Quartz Extreme.

One thing though.. brushed metal is gone? Yeah right. I can really see that happening, the way everything has been going recently. :D

[ChrisH3677]

3DOSX exists now and is available on MacUpdate. Which is why io_burn's post is nothing radical - especially for an OS 3 years away.
I'm surprised you guys haven't mentioned it.

Anyone who's seen it could quite easily predict it for inclusion in an upcoming OSX.

I found it quite difficult to use and trashed it from my system. I also saw and used something similar on Windows a year or two back - and had the same issues.

I really don't think this approach to 3D desktops has a future. But if anyone can pull it off - Apple could.

Here's the link on MacUpdate:

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/11560

Here's a link to more screenshots:

http://www.acm.uiuc.edu/macwarriors/projects/3dosx/screenshots.html

And here's a screen shot. Pretty radical, eh?!

[wowser]

Originally posted by aswitcher
Sure, but I think you gave far enough information for an insider to figure out who they are if indeed their security is taken as seriously as we hear. Plus assuming your information is right its a pretty big cat out of the bag. I remember how many people wrote about Expose as perhaps the coolest feature of that series of announcements, and this plans to trump that...so I think Apple would be reasonably pissed about a signficant leak regarding it...

they are a lot cuter than panthers!

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=off&q=Ocelot+

[billyboy]

3d images are ok if they were instantly recognisable, but 3d stretched out text? that doesn't compute with humans at this stage of our evolution. Not the humans I know anyway.

[HexMonkey]

I had a short play around with 3DOSX. The concept is alright, but if Apple implement something like this into Mac OS X, they'd have to develop it a lot more to make it more powerful and intuitive. 3D desktops as they are now are not very usable, but I believe that there's potential for something big (especially if it's done by Apple ;)).

[Spock]

Well I know it is real I have it installed on my Hamster Powered Powerbook G5

[aswitcher]

Originally posted by Spock
Well I know it is real I have it installed on my Hamster Powered Powerbook G5

Well why didn't you say so earlier - I feel like such a fool for doubting. :p

[Ryan1524]

i thought there's an OS out there that does exactly this. floating glass windows in 3D space that we can manipulate. i just forgot its name. it's either Linux, Unix or somet other thing...or was it KDE. but someone did this and there was even a video of it. does that mean those guys beat apple to this??

[bennetsaysargh]

where's apple legal?

if this is correct, im sorry for doubting, but now, im following the herd and not believing. who runs an alpha on a laptop?

[savar]

If Apple is putting a 3-d desktop into the next version of OS X, they're certainly not running it on a G4 powerbook.

[P-Worm]

Originally posted by savar
If Apple is putting a 3-d desktop into the next version of OS X, they're certainly not running it on a G4 powerbook.

Who said it was a G4? ;)

P-Worm

[gotohamish]

A question: If you need a trackball mouse thing, how did it run on a current Powerbook G4 with a trackpad? Please explain.

[firewire2001]

this is such bull ****

what happened to macrumors

i only left for a year

damn

[MoparShaha]

I think a development as large as this would warrant more than just a point upgrade. This would be Mac OS 11/XI. I just don't see how something this revolutionary would just be thrown into the middle of the OS X series.

[pinto32]

While I doubt we will be seeing this in 2004, the concept does seem very Apple-like. I mean, its soo easy to picture Steve saying "a couple of years ago we blew people away with Expose and the 3-D effects of fast-user switching. Today, we announce the next revolution in desktop computing: Mac OS XI! The world's first all 64-bit customer-centric OS. Oh, and there is one more thing........its 3-D! Now, I think a demo is in order, so let me just head over to Apple's new 3-D display, and show you how to download Finding Nemo 3 from iFlicks."

It sounds plausible to me.....in 2-3 years.....or do I just need sleep?

[johnnyjibbs]

Chris - I want to try out that new 3D desktop thing you downloaded but I'm worried it's going to completely mess up my computer. Is it easy to uninstall it and thus remove it completely or does it leave a mess?

[PalmHarborTchr]

Hey if they could make OS X as fast
as OS 9.2 it would be worth some
money.

[bennetsaysargh]

Originally posted by johnnyjibbs
Chris - I want to try out that new 3D desktop thing you downloaded but I'm worried it's going to completely mess up my computer. Is it easy to uninstall it and thus remove it completely or does it leave a mess?

i downloaded it, and you just drag the app off of the dmg. it's so cool. with some more hotkeys and stuff, it could totally replace my finder. (except for burning and other finder features.)

[johnnyjibbs]

Yeah I didn't realise it was just an another app, rather than some system-changing thing. It ran fine on my PowerBook but I found it to be a pain in the ass so I've trashed it now. Novel idea but asthetics over usability. The Finder is faster and easier. (Plus I almost moved the Applications folder into itself by mistake!)

[bousozoku]

Originally posted by MoparShaha
I think a development as large as this would warrant more than just a point upgrade. This would be Mac OS 11/XI. I just don't see how something this revolutionary would just be thrown into the middle of the OS X series.

Why would it even be considered a Macintosh at all? Something revolutionary shouldn't be tied to the past so carelessly. Could we really be running the Apple IV or V or... right now?

[Spock]

I am getting with Steve later to talk to him about the Problem I am having with my Hamster Powered Powerbook
I am getting more than just bugs.

[Powerbook G5]

Originally posted by johnnyjibbs
Yeah I didn't realise it was just an another app, rather than some system-changing thing. It ran fine on my PowerBook but I found it to be a pain in the ass so I've trashed it now. Novel idea but asthetics over usability. The Finder is faster and easier. (Plus I almost moved the Applications folder into itself by mistake!)

I had issues with accidentally moving folders into other folders and such, too. It's a little awkward and the graphics are really terrible so I trashed it after about two minutes total.

[bennetsaysargh]

i think with work that app could be better. the concept is there, they should just improve the graphics and then some of the moving of items.

[tjwett]

that 3DOSX thing is just plain disgusting. provided me with about 58 seconds of non-fun. LaunchBar is where it's at for OS navigation right now. forget that 3D nonsense and forget the disgusting Dock.

[KC9AIC]

It's very fitting for this site to carry completely unconfirmed rumors and other stuff to get our hopes up. If you ask me, this is one of the most interesting posts I've read yet.

[hvfsl]

I remember seeing an OS like the one described a few weeks back on Macrumors. I think it was by Sun. So its not as if its a totally new idea.

[1macker1]

Isn't this project looking glass?

[bousozoku]

Originally posted by Spock
I am getting with Steve later to talk to him about the Problem I am having with my Hamster Powered Powerbook
I am getting more than just bugs.

I think it's probably got lice, but then, those are bugs, aren't they?

Perhaps, if you had steroid-powered Hamsters, fully-de-liced, it would be a much better PowerBook experience for you. You just have to remember to open the trap door every few hours before your performance starts to s(t)ink. :D

[encro]

Originally posted by bennetsaysargh
i think with work that app could be better. the concept is there, they should just improve the graphics and then some of the moving of items.

I think that the problems are more to do with useability and trying to find justification as to why its better than a 2D environment. It's just a bit... well gimicky.

Themes are available for 3DOSX and its quite easy to make you're own if you feel inclined.