Panther: User at the Center

[MacRumors]

eWeek reports (http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,3959,1036539,00.asp) on details of Apple's next major revision of Mac OS X.

According to the article, the theme behind the upgrade will be putting the "User at the Center" of the OS.


They said User at the Center features will make it simpler for individual users to personalize their computing experience and to move seamlessly among Macs and other devices

eWeek fills in some details on previously mentioned features coming to Panther, including Multiple Graphical Logins (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/04/20030415212112.shtml), Piles (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/04/20030414200722.shtml), new file system format akin to BeOS's (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/03/20030326012245.shtml), and rumors that Panther will provide 64-bit support.

[MarksEvilTwin]

Removed

[Kwyjibo]

That sounds very apple. I mean if they are keeping the one button mouse because they beleivei t will enahcne and make the expereince easier this seems like a lgocial next step .

[jrv3034]

This can only be a good thing.

I think multiple graphical logins is one of the few good features of WinXP, and OSX would be wise to incorporate it.

Piles seems like a really nifty idea.

Hopefully, the rumors of Panther supporting 64bits will lead to PPC 970's in upcoming PowerMacs.

Here's hopin':D

[Hemingray]

Personalize my computing experience, eh? Does this mean we'll finally get some "Appearance" options like in OS 9? That would be nice. Actually have a little official control over the interface. But I'm not holding my breath...

[gwuMACaddict]

:D

oh lord how my imac needs a rest. on with the 64bit computing!

[mac15]

Customizing the mac desktop is one of the coolest things to do. I enjoy doing it. And even if apple didn't give the tools from the start there are themes anbd many cool tools such as haxies to do so.

So its win win for us anyways.

[MrMacMan]

yay, go customization!

well, atleast haxies worked for a while. ;)

Skins, better interface, all pluses.

[richie]

A little off-topic, but...
MOSR weighs in with another update on multiple logins that can't possibly be proven wrong:

http://macosrumors.com/

Without solid evidence, the sort of claims that 'it could be removed in later builds' as a way to prove what you're saying, is ridiculous.

[dguisinger]

Originally posted by richie
A little off-topic, but...
MOSR weighs in with another update on multiple logins that can't possibly be proven wrong:

http://macosrumors.com/

Without solid evidence, the sort of claims that 'it could be removed in later builds' as a way to prove what you're saying, is ridiculous.

I don't think its that rediculous. It means Apple is testing it, if they are right. Windows XP allows you to leave your programs running while switching users to allow someone else to check their mail or browse the web. If Apple was adding multiple login support, which people have said currently focuses on remote stations, it doesn't take a very large stretch to see them suspending a user's session and loging a new user into the GUI. Again, its based on the same code base that allows multiple users remotely...by specifying which user receives the output and on what machine. Since XP has done it, and many people with XP use it, I can only imagine Apple needs to add it if they add the rest. Whether it will be in Panther or its successor is a little less certain.

[richie]

Sorry, to clear up what I was saying: what they're suggesting isn't ridiculous - in fact, it's a feature that is so widely rumoured that it makes the fact that they're so obviously covering themselves, like they are, worse.

[Perceptes]

I hope they bring back the apple menu functionality of OS 9, similar to what Fruitmenu (or whatever it's called does) but built into the system so it will be fast.

[Hemingray]

Originally posted by Perceptes
I hope they bring back the apple menu functionality of OS 9, similar to what Fruitmenu (or whatever it's called does) but built into the system so it will be fast.

I sincerely doubt they will be doing that. The closest I see them coming to that would be to have a submenu for System Prefs so you can select the specific prefs you want (such as "Network") before it launches System Prefs, instead of just having "System Preferences...".

Apple is reserving the Apple menu for system-wide specific items, it's no longer a catch-all for our stuff, that's what the dock serves as now.

[MacBandit]

I think there is something underlying all this that everyone is missing. This means that as of 10.3 OSX will be very mature. They should have optimized nearly everything and have worked out all the large bugs. GUI evolution as the focus of a build usually only comes after you have made a fairly good base program/system. I would say that this means OSX has finally graduated from a public beta to a full blown ready to fight operating system. From here on out the development can shift from the arduous sifting through the code to the ingenuitive creation of new objects and new ways of doing things.

[wsteineker]

I personally would love for Apple to include theming ability in the OS. Haxies are great, but they can make your system unstable (at least in my experience). It would also quell a lot of dissent surrounding the potential switch to brushed metal. Just a thought...

[The Shadow]

Originally posted by MacBandit
I would say that this means OSX has finally graduated from a public beta to a full blown ready to fight operating system. From here on out the development can shift from the arduous sifting through the code to the ingenuitive creation of new objects and new ways of doing things.

What he said!

[Longey Nowze]

MacBandit I love your avatars! where do you get them? or do you make them your self?
and your sig... add to that... the tallest guy in the NBA is chinese, and the most powerful men in the US if not the world are called Bush, Dick and Colon :eek: :p

Originally posted by MacBandit
I think there is something underlying all this that everyone is missing. This means that as of 10.3 OSX will be very mature. They should have optimized nearly everything and have worked out all the large bugs. GUI evolution as the focus of a build usually only comes after you have made a fairly good base program/system. I would say that this means OSX has finally graduated from a public beta to a full blown ready to fight operating system. From here on out the development can shift from the arduous sifting through the code to the ingenuitive creation of new objects and new ways of doing things.

back to topic, this is exactly what i was thinking! and it makes me thing that even when OS X (from v10.1-10.2) was getting a lot of great reviews and it was/is amazing! so think of what could/wil happen now that OS X has matured!

THANK YOU
MaT

[cubist]

Great! At a minimum we should be able to:

1. Change the size or typeface of the system font, to any size or font

2. Change any GUI element to any desired color of the 16M, besides just selecting from pre-built "themes"

3. Get rid of pinstriping, brushed-metal, etc. system-wide

4. Set system-wide and per-folder defaults for how we want icons to be arranged (left, right, top, bottom, etc.)

If anyone at Apple is lacking in inspiration, I can give them another dozen or two along these lines.

[allpar]

The ability to SHUT OFF ANTI-ALIASING.

And apologies for the all caps.

It makes me feel as though I've lost my vision! After a day of squinting at X, I'm happy to return to the nice, sharp fonts of 9. And, yes, I've tried shutting off aliasing for under 12 point fonts.

[eric_n_dfw]

Originally posted by allpar
The ability to SHUT OFF ANTI-ALIASING.

And apologies for the all caps.

It makes me feel as though I've lost my vision! After a day of squinting at X, I'm happy to return to the nice, sharp fonts of 9. And, yes, I've tried shutting off aliasing for under 12 point fonts. Hehe - to each his own I guess. I find the OS X display a welcome, easy on the eyes, change from all day staing at Windows 2000's "sharp" fonts. Much more like reading a printed page IMO.

But, I agree, they should provide a way to shut it off for those who dislike it.

[beatle888]

Originally posted by Perceptes
I hope they bring back the apple menu functionality of OS 9, similar to what Fruitmenu (or whatever it's called does) but built into the system so it will be fast.

hey neighbor:) (location = long beach)
the doc is just like the apple menu with ADDED features. the doc lets you setup folders that you can navigate through just like the apple menu. i just wish you didnt have to click the folder for the menu to fly out. also the apple menu was text base, the doc is so graphical that you cant really tell what all the folders are about until you have your cursor over it. but still, it can be used as an apple menu if you'd like.

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by Longey Nowze
MacBandit I love your avatars! where do you get them? or do you make them your self?
and your sig... add to that... the tallest guy in the NBA is chinese, and the most powerful men in the US if not the world are called Bush, Dick and Colon :eek: :p



back to topic, this is exactly what i was thinking! and it makes me thing that even when OS X (from v10.1-10.2) was getting a lot of great reviews and it was/is amazing! so think of what could/wil happen now that OS X has matured!

THANK YOU
MaT

Yeah, about the tars. I just happen across them while looking for desktops. I found this one at Spymac and the last one at deviantart.com.

[MetallicPenguin]

Yes, I really can not wait for 10.3, and yes I agree it sounds like everything is maturing a lot!

[elo]

How did you all get themes and skins from this article? It didn't even mention those things, and Apple is highly unlikely to move in that direction. It's also mostly irrelevant, since third parties can and do provide visual themes.

The big news here, AFAIC, is that Piles will finally be used. I've been waiting eagerly for this capability ever since I read the patent for them. It's an interface leap as significant as putting a trash can on the desktop. And it's a power-user feature, the sort of thing that let's people get real work done.

elo

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by elo
How did you all get themes and skins from this article? It didn't even mention those things, and Apple is highly unlikely to move in that direction. It's also mostly irrelevant, since third parties can and do provide visual themes.


It has to do with the way the statement is made. It talks about putting the user experience at the center and allowing the user to personilize there computing experience. This to me says themes or some other vast appearance options. Face it currently OSX doesn't allow a vast amount of custimzing. Yes you can use different folder view and arrange your icons differently. Woop de frickin doo. I want to be able to view my music folder by the ID3 tag information and my video and photo folders by there tag information too. Also I should be able to change the color and design of my windows any way I want. It's just a GUI how is it supposed to cause my system to crash huh? Come on apple give us options.

[Snowy_River]

Originally posted by beatle888

the doc is just like the apple menu with ADDED features. the doc lets you setup folders that you can navigate through just like the apple menu. i just wish you didnt have to click the folder for the menu to fly out. also the apple menu was text base, the doc is so graphical that you cant really tell what all the folders are about until you have your cursor over it. but still, it can be used as an apple menu if you'd like.

Well, you can give each of your dock folders a unique icon. My dock folders are (from left to right): Applications; Office; Graphics; Audio/Video; Physics; Games; Internet; Project Files; Personal Files.

There are two requests that I'd have for the dock's functionality. First, I'd like it if I didn't have to control-click to get the pop-up menu. Allow us the option of having a folder in the dock pop-up immediately. (There's the 'Show in Finder' item at the bottom of the menu, anyway.)

Second, I'd really like to be able to get rid of the alias arrows on the alias icons that I use in the dock folders. They are a bit annoying.

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by Snowy_River
There are two requests that I'd have for the dock's functionality. First, I'd like it if I didn't have to control-click to get the pop-up menu. Allow us the option of having a folder in the dock pop-up immediately. (There's the 'Show in Finder' item at the bottom of the menu, anyway.)

Second, I'd really like to be able to get rid of the alias arrows on the alias icons that I use in the dock folders. They are a bit annoying.

Just click and hold on an icon to get the same menu as the control-click gets you. Or get a two button mouse.

What do you mean by pop-up immediately?

Why use an alias in the dock? Just go to the original folder or app that you made the alias of and drop it on the dock.

[Snowy_River]

Originally posted by MacBandit
Just click and hold on an icon to get the same menu as the control-click gets you. Or get a two button mouse.

What do you mean by pop-up immediately?

Why use an alias in the dock? Just go to the original folder or app that you made the alias of and drop it on the dock.

Sorry, I mis-typed. When I control-click one of the folders it does pop-up immediately. The other option, as you noted, is to click and hold. That's what I want to change. I want to be able to simply click and have the folder menu pop-up.

As to aliases, it's fine to drag the original to the dock, but the folders that are in the dock don't act the same way. In order to organize the applications in these dock-folders, I have to use aliases. (See the attached image.) It's these aliases whose arrows I'd like to be rid of.

I am familiar with a third party add-on called 'Dock Extender' that creates true dock menu (instead of imbedded folders), but I have trouble justifying paying the money for a very subtle change in behavior.

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by Snowy_River
Sorry, I mis-typed. When I control-click one of the folders it does pop-up immediately. The other option, as you noted, is to click and hold. That's what I want to change. I want to be able to simply click and have the folder menu pop-up.

As to aliases, it's fine to drag the original to the dock, but the folders that are in the dock don't act the same way. In order to organize the applications in these dock-folders, I have to use aliases. (See the attached image.) It's these aliases whose arrows I'd like to be rid of.

I am familiar with a third party add-on called 'Dock Extender' that creates true dock menu (instead of imbedded folders), but I have trouble justifying paying the money for a very subtle change in behavior.

Ah, yes the nested folder aliases. I forgot about those. For some reason I don't even notice them but I have tons of them.

Get a two button mouse. No click and hold no control clicking just right click.

[backdraft]

I just hope apple incorporates these ideas: http://www.geocities.con/juan_m007

and a quad 4ghz PowerPC 970 system helps too:D

[backdraft]

Originally posted by Perceptes
I hope they bring back the apple menu functionality of OS 9, similar to what Fruitmenu (or whatever it's called does) but built into the system so it will be fast.

I also wish apple would bring back the Apple Menu functionality found in OS 9. The dock isn't all that and it gets in the way. The only way that the apple menu and any feature is going to be returned is if enough users send feedback to Apple, feature by feature.

More feature's I wish Apple would bring back: http://www.geocities.com/juan_m007

[cubist]

That's a very good list, Backdraft. It incorporates everything I've heard said and a lot more.

[Snowy_River]

Originally posted by MacBandit

Get a two button mouse. No click and hold no control clicking just right click.

Actually, I have a five button mouse... But it only helps when my computer is at my desk. It certainly doesn't help right now. (I'm relaxing in bed with my computer on my lap. I don't even know where I'd have a mouse if I had one plugged in right now.)

Still, I think that it would be a nice simplification of the UI to make a single click pop up the menu. If you want the folder opened in a window, there's always the 'Show In Finder' option. Ideally, this could be a user controlled function, such that some folders could be set to pop-up the menu, and some would open the finder window with single click...

Ah well, I guess we'll see soon enough... ;)

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by Snowy_River
Actually, I have a five button mouse... But it only helps when my computer is at my desk. It certainly doesn't help right now. (I'm relaxing in bed with my computer on my lap. I don't even know where I'd have a mouse if I had one plugged in right now.)

Still, I think that it would be a nice simplification of the UI to make a single click pop up the menu. If you want the folder opened in a window, there's always the 'Show In Finder' option. Ideally, this could be a user controlled function, such that some folders could be set to pop-up the menu, and some would open the finder window with single click...

Ah well, I guess we'll see soon enough... ;)

I prefer the the single click opening the folder in the finder like it does now. If you need a portable mouse check these out. There small enough to use on the wrist rest of your laptop. I do agree it could be made an option either way. My only wish of apple with OSX right now besides more speed improvements is options, options, options.....

http://www.macally.com/spec/usb/input_device/micromouse.html

There smaller then a business card have two buttons and a scroll wheel.

[xj9000]

I found this link in a newsgroup...

it is someone's idea of the box cover for 10.3

http://www.bka.net/andy/pinkx.jpg

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by xj9000
I found this link in a newsgroup...

it is someone's idea of the box cover for 10.3

http://www.bka.net/andy/pinkx.jpg

You obviously haven't seen the comic at www.Geekculture.com.

http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joyarchives/465.html

[crazytom]

Personally, I need a big change in Core Audio.

I have 2 Delta 1010 units (8 analog in/outs each) and because of something within Core Audio, I can only use one or the other...they can't be chained together so I can record 16 tracks at once. It can be done in OS 9...but I hate OS 9---a crash in 9 means I have to reboot twice (once gets me back to X then after resetting the boot drive, again to get back into 9!

For some reason, I don't think this issue is anywhere near the top of Apple's priority list...