macOS 13 Ventura redefines what constitutes a "Network" interface

[hugo_necst]

Semantically, both linguistically and logically, as a network interface WiFi should be found in System Settings>Network where "Ethernet" is found and where it has always been. Apparently, Apple has chosen to redefine WiFi as something other than a network interface, else it would be found there in os 13 Ventura. It is not, but has its own icon. If the orthodoxy now demand that macOS parrot iOS in its design, would it not make sense then to give "Ethernet" its own icon just as WiFi, Bluetooth (and Cellular in iOS)? Where is the Equity for Ethernet?

 

[rforno]

Probably b/c most average users think WiFi = Network and go looking for that word/icon, while power users will know the difference b/c they have more specialized needs.

Ethernet Connections Matter!

 

[MarineBand5524]

Probably b/c most average users think WiFi = Network and go looking for that word/icon, while power users will know the difference b/c they have more specialized needs.

Ethernet Connections Matter!

True but it is nice to have all in one place lol maybe I'm just getting old and lazy LOL

 

[fisherking]

i can't count the number of people i've worked with who, for years, never knew what ethernet was... or even that it existed. seems, for most people, 'network' does mean 'wifi'.

even my own brother (damn him!) thought that it was a phone jack... for hooking up to a dialup modem... 🤣

 

[MarineBand5524]

i can't count the number of people i've worked with who, for years, never knew what ethernet was... or even that it existed. seems, for most people, 'network' does mean 'wifi'.

even my own brother (damn him!) thought that it was a phone jack... for hooking up to a dialup modem... 🤣

Being A network/sys admin for windows for so many years and moving to Mac (back in 2007) I just don't even want to mess with windows anything anymore. Yeah, they keep us busy and working (a job) But not being active for a while now in the field, I really don't miss it. HAHA

 

[hugo_necst]

i can't count the number of people i've worked with who, for years, never knew what ethernet was... or even that it existed. seems, for most people, 'network' does mean 'wifi'.

even my own brother (damn him!) thought that it was a phone jack... for hooking up to a dialup modem... 🤣

If what you say is so, then logic dictates WiFi be nested within NETWORK? You made my point.

The desire to "dumb down" to the lowest common denominator is no excuse for poor UX design nor is it good business to leave those of us who have 35+ years on the platform scratching our heads wondering WTF did Apple hide whatever it is I'm looking for.

 

[fisherking]

If what you say is so, then logic dictates WiFi be nested within NETWORK? You made my point.

The desire to "dumb down" to the lowest common denominator is no excuse for poor UX design nor is it good business to leave those of us who have 35+ years on the platform scratching our heads wondering WTF did Apple hide whatever it is I'm looking for.

i haven't made anyone's point, am just sharing anecdotal information.

maybe apple will 'fix' this by october. maybe it will stay as it is. but, you've already sorted it out, so... what exactly is your point?...

 

[hugo_necst]

et logica valent

 

[fisherking]

et logica valent

opinio est opinio

 

[hugo_necst]

opinio est opinio

lol u r ok pax

 

[leman]

Weird, on my system "WiFi" shows under "Network". It's just that it also has an additional settings tab for quick access to WiFi-related stuff which makes perfect sense to me.

 

[AlteMac]

Even on Monterey there is a Menubar widget for wifi as well as finding wifi under Network in System Preferences. It makes sense because, especially for portable users, wifi is a changeable connection, while ethernet is usually not. Not always; I used to back and forth between home and office with ethernet in each place, but changing wifi means selecting the wifi network logging in, etc.

 

[hugo_necst]

Even on Monterey there is a Menubar widget for wifi as well as finding wifi under Network in System Preferences. It makes sense because, especially for portable users, wifi is a changeable connection, while ethernet is usually not. Not always; I used to back and forth between home and office with ethernet in each place, but changing wifi means selecting the wifi network logging in, etc.

Thats why mobile users put it in the Menubar

 

[exoticSpice]

It maybe because WiFi is a more common interface than Ethernet and the masses know what WiFi is more so than Ethernet.

I automatically equate Network to be Ethernet IF WiFi has a special column. This sort of thing can also be found in Linux environments where servers are more common.

See below like macOS Ventura, this Linux GNOME interface has "Network" and "WiFi" seperated.

 

[RamGuy]

Weird, on my system "WiFi" shows under "Network". It's just that it also has an additional settings tab for quick access to WiFi-related stuff which makes perfect sense to me.

View attachment 2018743

It's the same on my MacBook Pro 14-inch and Mac mini both with Apple Silicone running macOS Ventura Developer BETA1. One strange behaviour on my systems is how WiFi has higher proprity compared to Ethernet by default. I had to change priority so my Belkin USB-C Ethernet Adapter had higher priority than my WiFi so the default route was using the Ethernet Adapter and not the WiFi.

 

[w5jck]

i can't count the number of people i've worked with who, for years, never knew what ethernet was... or even that it existed. seems, for most people, 'network' does mean 'wifi'.

even my own brother (damn him!) thought that it was a phone jack... for hooking up to a dialup modem... 🤣

LOL. They aren't old timers like me. FYI, ethernet was created by Xerox in 1973 and so has been around almost half a century. WiFi was invented and first released for consumers in 1997 when a committee called 802.11 was created. Consumers, of course, generally means non-techie people who would probably try to plug a phone into the ethernet port, if they even knew what wired landline phones were. Apple seems to cater to consumer level mentality, so they have a nonsense system in a ridiculously designed set of OSes which they hope tech-challenged consumers will better understand.

 

[fisherking]

LOL. They aren't old timers like me. FYI, ethernet was created by Xerox in 1973 and so has been around almost half a century. WiFi was invented and first released for consumers in 1997 when a committee called 802.11 was created. Consumers, of course, generally means non-techie people who would probably try to plug a phone into the ethernet port, if they even knew what wired landline phones were. Apple seems to cater to consumer level mentality, so they have a nonsense system in a ridiculously designed set of OSes which they hope tech-challenged consumers will better understand.

if most macusers use wifi, and an 'old timer' pro like yourself uses ethernet.... both are served. if you have to dig a little to find the setting you need... so what? you have the skill set, the experience to work as a 'pro'. everyone wins

 

[exoticSpice]

Linux is also like this. If Linux which is used in servers and by network needs has the same interface as macOS Ventura then Apple is just moving towards the common Unix form.