Panther: User at the Center

MacRumors · Apr 21, 2003, 11:48 PM

eWeek reports 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.

Quote:

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, Piles, new file system format akin to BeOS's, and rumors that Panther will provide 64-bit support.

MarksEvilTwin · 01:33 PM

Removed

Kwyjibo · Apr 21, 2003, 11:54 PM

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 · Apr 21, 2003, 11:55 PM

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'

Hemingray · Apr 22, 2003, 12:08 AM

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 · Apr 22, 2003, 12:10 AM

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

mac15 · Apr 22, 2003, 12:18 AM

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 · Apr 22, 2003, 01:41 AM

yay, go customization!

well, atleast haxies worked for a while.

Skins, better interface, all pluses.

richie · Apr 22, 2003, 01:52 AM

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 · Apr 22, 2003, 03:00 AM

Quote:

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 · Apr 22, 2003, 03:27 AM

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 · Apr 22, 2003, 03:49 AM

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 · Apr 22, 2003, 04:09 AM

Quote:

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 · Apr 22, 2003, 04:54 AM

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 · Apr 22, 2003, 05:33 AM

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 · Apr 22, 2003, 08:19 AM

Quote:

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 · 08:26 AM

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

Quote:

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 · Apr 22, 2003, 09:05 AM

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 · Apr 22, 2003, 09:58 AM

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 · Apr 22, 2003, 11:20 AM

Quote:

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 · Apr 22, 2003, 12:08 PM

Quote:

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 · Apr 22, 2003, 01:09 PM

Quote:

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

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 · Apr 22, 2003, 04:38 PM

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

elo · Apr 22, 2003, 10:49 PM

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 · Apr 23, 2003, 02:51 AM

Quote:

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.

Apr 21, 2003, 11:52 PM	#2
MarksEvilTwin macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2002	Removed Last edited by MarksEvilTwin : Feb 2, 2009 at 01:33 PM.

Apr 21, 2003, 11:55 PM	#4
jrv3034 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: New York City	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' __________________ jrv3034 Dual 2GHz G5 PowerMac / 160GB & 200GB internal HDDs / Two 250GB LaCie FW HDDs / 1.5GB RAM / Superdrive / Mitsubishi 22" DiamondPro / JBL Creature / Logitech MX500 / Zip 100 / iPod 15GB 3G / Samsung i500 / Miglia AlchemyTV DVR

Apr 22, 2003, 12:10 AM	#6
gwuMACaddict macrumors 68040 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: washington dc	PLEASE 64BIT! oh lord how my imac needs a rest. on with the 64bit computing! __________________ *"if everyone is thinking alike, then someone isn't thinking"*

Apr 22, 2003, 12:18 AM	#7
mac15 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Sydney	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. __________________ Check out my guiKitting at the theflanneleffect

Apr 22, 2003, 01:41 AM	#8
MrMacMan macrumors 601 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: 1 Block away from NYC.	yay, go customization! well, atleast haxies worked for a while. Skins, better interface, all pluses. __________________ There is a little Steve in all of us! -->Folding is Fighting Against Disease and help MacRumors. Join Today!<-- Props to --> Shadowfax For Making My Avatar! IM Me On AIM Already!

Apr 21, 2003, 11:54 PM	#3
Kwyjibo macrumors 68040 Join Date: Nov 2002	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 .

Apr 22, 2003, 12:08 AM	#5
Hemingray macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ha ha haaa!	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...

Apr 22, 2003, 01:52 AM	#9
richie macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia	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. __________________ bang

Apr 22, 2003, 03:27 AM	#11
richie macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia	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. __________________ bang

Apr 22, 2003, 03:49 AM	#12
Perceptes macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego, CA	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.

Apr 22, 2003, 04:54 AM	#14
MacBandit macrumors 601 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Springfield, OR (Home of the Simpsons)	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. __________________ Folding@Home "Folding FAQ," for more information. Fold with your PS3. Message me on the Playstation Network ID 'MacBandit'

Apr 22, 2003, 05:33 AM	#15
wsteineker macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Montgomery, AL	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... __________________ "Let's drink to the hard working people. Let's drink to the lowly of birth. Raise your glass to the good and the evil. Let's drink to the salt of the earth." - The Rolling Stones, Salt of the Earth

Apr 22, 2003, 09:05 AM	#18
cubist macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Muncie, Indiana	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.

Apr 22, 2003, 09:58 AM	#19
allpar macrumors regular Join Date: May 2002	One more feature request... 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. __________________ car reviews and business and organizational development articles are all very fine, but here's a prime site for Mac statistics software

Apr 22, 2003, 04:38 PM	#23
MetallicPenguin macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NC, USA	Yes, I really can not wait for 10.3, and yes I agree it sounds like everything is maturing a lot! __________________ Come join Macsight.com now to enjoy a new Macintosh Community! It's free and only takes a second, everyone is welcome. Click Here!

Apr 22, 2003, 10:49 PM	#24
elo macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2003	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

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