Do you like the MacOS Ventura System settings? [MERGED]

[fisherking]

Okay, but I’m not asking Apple to do it my way, I’m saying they should have just left it how it’s been for 20 years? The thread asks of peoples’ opinion on the change. Of course some won’t like it. Especially when a lot of people, myself included, didn’t see anything wrong with the old way. Not sure how I would be determined to bankrupt Apple when it’s a free update in the first place. End users are allowed to stay on a past version if they like it better just as they’re allowed to update to a new one if they prefer it. I happily stayed on ios 14.8 for a year because of CSAM.

but that's the point; why can't something change after 20 years? when is tech innovation ever coupled with traditional?

you can do what you want, we all can. but if we want to move forward, we have to learn to accept change. personally, i welcome it.

 

[fisherking]

Because they're separate devices with different input methods and screen sizes?


Users have legitimate reasons to "whine".

• The Settings window isn't resizable and doesn't resize contextually.
• The category icons on the left are barely legible; they're too small and, for some bizarre reason, designed to look like app icons. They're a step back from the easy-to-see and clear icons of the previous Sys Pref.
• Apple breaks its own human interface guidelines in several instances.
• Wasted, dead space in many categories.
• Some features, especially those in networking, have been retired.

But you're right. Let's not complain.


Congratulations. I do photo editing and design work for a living. That's important to me.


But they can fix bugs and make better design choices, no?

when you say 'better design choices", i hear 'design choices i like better'.

system preferences never resized. and i have no problem seeing the icons, or reading the words next to the icons.
apple can do what it wants. even *gasp* step outside it's earlier guidelines. and space isn't some sort-of evil, no harm in a window with space. that's like saying "i can't send this email until i fill the whole window with text'.

anyway, you do 'photo editing and design' work, so you should understand more than most how subjective these things are.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

when you say 'better design choices", i hear 'design choices i like better'.

No, that is subjective. There are very clear objective reasons why the new system settings is broken or incomplete.

system preferences never resized. and i have no problem seeing the icons, or reading the words next to the icons.

Good for you!

apple can do what it wants. even *gasp* step outside it's earlier guidelines. and space isn't some sort-of evil, no harm in a window with space. that's like saying "i can't send this email until i fill the whole window with text'.

Earlier guidelines? They haven’t changed! They’re still available from the developer portal and they’re written there on black and white. If Apple can’t even use checkboxes, toggles and tabs correctly then what does that say about their quality control?

anyway, you do 'photo editing and design' work, so you should understand more than most how subjective these things are.

I will, thanks.

 

[fisherking]

No, that is subjective. There are very clear objective reasons why the new system settings is broken or incomplete.

you left out "clear reasons in my opinion..."

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

you left out "clear reasons in my opinion..."

If it was my opinion, it wouldn’t be objective. I clearly stated the reasons for this in my initial post; there is no ‘opinion’ about toggles randomly being different sizes, tabs being incorrect widths, radio buttons and checkboxes being used incorrectly and more. These UI elements are used correctly throughout the rest of macOS, except for System Settings. That is not an opinion.

 

[fisherking]

If it was my opinion, it wouldn’t be objective. I clearly stated the reasons for this in my initial post; there is no ‘opinion’ about toggles randomly being different sizes, tabs being incorrect widths, radio buttons and checkboxes being used incorrectly and more. These UI elements are used correctly throughout the rest of macOS, except for System Settings. That is not an opinion.

you should contact apple immediately, and let them know that their design team messed up.

apple can do what it wants. and you and i can have different opinions... that's fine 👍

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

you should contact apple immediately, and let them know that their design team messed up.

apple can do what it wants. and you and i can have different opinions... that's fine 👍

I have fed feedback, like many people.

And I have never denied that Apple can do what it wants, nor that we can’t have different thoughts. Let’s just leave it at that or we’re going to go round in circles.

 

[n-evo]

I really dislike the fact there's no more ability to hide apps that launch on login. That said it would work with Mail in some Mac OS X OS X macOS version and break in the next.

 

[usagora]

Surprised at how many times the new Settings breaks Apple's own human interface guidelines. Even the blue 'toggle' switches are different sizes in several instances.

I don't understand why they don't make use of the additional screen estate of a Mac display. The icons for each category are ridiculous, they are not only tiny but they're each stylised to look like an app icon, which makes absolutely no sense. It's as if Apple literally just ported the iOS settings framework and didn't bother optimising it.

Because they're separate devices with different input methods and screen sizes?


Users have legitimate reasons to "whine".

• The Settings window isn't resizable and doesn't resize contextually.
• The category icons on the left are barely legible; they're too small and, for some bizarre reason, designed to look like app icons. They're a step back from the easy-to-see and clear icons of the previous Sys Pref.
• Apple breaks its own human interface guidelines in several instances.
• Wasted, dead space in many categories.
• Some features, especially those in networking, have been retired.

But you're right. Let's not complain.


Congratulations. I do photo editing and design work for a living. That's important to me.


But they can fix bugs and make better design choices, no?

I know we can all look up Apple's Human Interface Guidelines, but since you're making allegations that Apple is violating its own guidelines, it would be helpful if you'd take the time to quote specific guidelines and then demonstrate how System Settings in Ventura violates those guidelines. And of course there are often exceptions to "rules".

I have no idea, assuming you have normal eyesight, why you'd call the category icons "barely legible". They're clear as day to me.

I'm surprised as a professional designer that you don't seem to acknowledge that empty space can be a legitimate design choice. I design web apps, and I often purposely incorporate space into the design to give it "breathing room". Cramming buttons and info into every space isn't always the best choice.

The System Settings window is resizable, but only vertically.

 

[SoYoung]

Another exemple of how bad this new settings app are : Where the hell is the settings to see your apps launching at start up and the option to hide them ?

 

[fisherking]

Another exemple of how bad this new settings app are : Where the hell is the settings to see your apps launching at start up and the option to hide them ?

gasp! general>login items (altho don't think you can hide startup apps anymore). there's a thread here about that...

 

[usagora]

you should contact apple immediately, and let them know that their design team messed up.

apple can do what it wants. and you and i can have different opinions... that's fine 👍

fisherking, you will stay after school and write on the blackboard 100 times, "System Settings in Ventura sucks"

 

[fisherking]

fisherking, you will stay after school and write on the blackboard 100 times, "System Settings in Ventura sucks"

even after 100 times, i'd still not believe it. i think it's a better, more mature, more logical approach, and makes the previous version seem 'toy-like', antiquated.

but i'll do that if you'll write on the other blackboard "everyone is entitled to their opinion".

 

[usagora]

even after 100 times, i'd still not believe it. i think it's a better, more mature, more logical approach, and makes the previous version seem 'toy-like', antiquated.

but i'll do that if you'll write on the other blackboard "everyone is entitled to their opinion".

I thought given my other comments that you read/liked in this thread, it would've been obvious my comment was totally sarcastic, but I guess not. I guess I'll always use the /s even if I think it's obvious!

 

[chabig]

I really dislike the fact there's no more ability to hide apps that launch on login. That said it would work with Mail in some Mac OS X OS X macOS version and break in the next.

I bet Apple adds that back in the future. But if you really need it now, you can create a short automator action to launch and hide the app, then run that during login. Shortcuts might do it but I am not sure.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

The fact that you cannot resize the window looks terrible, especially on the Wallpaper category. 9 out of 10 people will want to resize the window so they can see ALL the choices of wallpapers. It's sloppy and not what I come to expect from Apple. Is there a reason to not allow resizing to one's own preference? (oops, I forgot...it's Apple and we don't get a choice).

 

[GlenK]

There is a "Show All" link at the top right of each category on desktops.

 

[fisherking]

I thought given my other comments that you read/liked in this thread, it would've been obvious my comment was totally sarcastic, but I guess not. I guess I'll always use the /s even if I think it's obvious!

ha! am not keeping track of who said what, just reading what's in front of me. emojis help 🤣

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

There is a "Show All" link at the top right of each category on desktops.

Thanks. That helps but on a high res 4K screen, the System Settings window looks small relative to the screen.

I just want to drag it and make it larger. It looks like they think I'm using an iPhone.

 

[Aquaporin]

Not a fan but as along as it works I am OK with it.

 

[usagora]

ha! am not keeping track of who said what, just reading what's in front of me. emojis help 🤣

Gotta keep up, fisherking! Context, context, context! /s

 

[mi7chy]

First thing I noticed is the About window looks clean. And, for the first time the settings icon is free of annoying notification since you can now dismiss things like use iCloud nag. Overall, Ventura > Big Sur > Monterey.

 

[contacos]

Why on earth can we not resize the system prefs like any other app window? it wouldn't be as bad if the content would actually fit the window!? (it does not)

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Why on earth can we not resize the system prefs like any other app window? it wouldn't be as bad if the content would actually fit the window!? (it does not)

View attachment 2102414

Because Apple can't be bothered to optimise what is clearly the iPad U.I framework into a Mac one.

 

[fisherking]

Why on earth can we not resize the system prefs like any other app window? it wouldn't be as bad if the content would actually fit the window!? (it does not)

View attachment 2102414

click 'show all' for each wallpaper category. simple