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Microsoft Internally Worked on a Mac OS X Aqua Inspired Windows XP Theme

I don't blame Microsoft... I still say OS X GUI is the best/pleasant over all computer GUI of any device(open for debate) and so is iOS. The irony is that I feel Windows XP had the best looking GUI of any Windows version except for Windows '95 which wasn't more pleasant but such an upgrade from the Win3.1 you just had to appreciate it.
 
ccsicecoke said:
Apple made a mistake by ditching the Aqua interface and letting go of Scott Forstall.

The adversity will be gradually showing up.
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it has begun...
Apple software no longer "it just works".. a lot of the newer designs are no longer pleasant and easy to navigate.
 
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RogueWarrior65 said:
So what? Microsoft's UX (User experience) sucks compared to Apple's. That's what really matters. That's what matters in life too.
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Exactly. Windows has always been designed from an engineer's idea of usability and functionality, macOS and its predecessors have been designed from a consumer, i.e. user's idea of usability and functionality. In this regard, Microsoft has been playing catch up for most of this century. It's cliche to say at this point, but Apple OS's are more intuitive because they've spent time understanding how users expect their computer to function.

Microsoft has been juggling updating Windows to make it more competitive, and keeping it similar enough that legacy users (especially enterprise customers) stay put. I bet this was an early attempt at a superficial Mac-like experience, Luna being the final product and Aero being a successor. Microsoft spent much of 2000-2010 thinking it could hide Windows faults with pleasing skins and overlays. "If it looks like we put as much work into it as Apple's OS, maybe they'll think it's as good as Apple's OS!"
 
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Glad to see that the Mac vs PC war is still going on, after all these years of cross-platform interaction (Office on iPad, etc). 🤷‍♂️

But seriously, Apple doesn't always do it first, but they have a great track record of getting it right first, thus setting the standard for the industry to follow. And follow they do.

Sometimes, they fail spectacularly (I'm looking at you hockey-puck mouse and those BS keyboards, and arguably the notch), so they're not above reproach.

That said, and while I generally dislike all Microsoft products (except Office, which I can tolerate when it works as advertised), they do serve a market that Apple does not (really) compete in and I'm glad they do.

The old Vista days are long gone and MSoft has done well with Windows 10 in my opinion. Keep bringing Mac features in, I say (the multiple desktops are my favorite Mac-like feature. Yes, I'm aware Linux has it too, haters).

However, since 2001 I've chosen Apple's style over Microsoft's, and will probably continue to do so (until I don't) :)
 
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All this talk of custom themes, Windows XP, and earlier versions of Mac OS X makes me miss the days when we could really trick out the system with crazy themes.

WindowsBlinds on Windows XP and CandyBar on Mac OS X are some of the applications I miss dearly... especially CandyBar.

Now I know WindowsBlinds is still out there, but modding the UI of Windows 10 doesn't look as easy as it was with Windows XP. And on the Mac it seems non-existent these days.
 
AZREOSpecialist said:
Can nobody do anything without Apple doing it first? Jeez... the creative bankruptcy of other tech companies is palpable and the nerve with which they blatantly steal the IP of others is criminal.
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Too little too late. If this was 2000, I would sue Microsoft for 5 billion dollars.
 
AZREOSpecialist said:
Can nobody do anything without Apple doing it first? Jeez... the creative bankruptcy of other tech companies is palpable and the nerve with which they blatantly steal the IP of others is criminal.
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That was true 15 to 20 years ago. Apple now waits for others to innovate and if it is successful, they'll adopt it. There are phone manufacturers that have 100% screen coverage with under screen touch id and FaceTime cameras.
 
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ccsicecoke said:
Apple made a mistake by ditching the Aqua interface and letting go of Scott Forstall.

The adversity will be gradually showing up.
Click to expand...
Yeah they sure did! They made such a huge mistake getting rid of Scott and the aqua UI that it caused Apple's earnings to more than triple into a 2 trillion. Apple has no idea how to become a successful company.
 
I would say its less that the ditched the aqua interface but more about the flat design, MS is worse with that flat design, I hate the UWP wire icons, but I wish both platforms provide a more colorful and depth of image (sort of thing not just flat)
 
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Gasu E. said:
Normally I would agree with you. But in this case, the article is about design
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And they were not the first out the door with a GUI, they were not the first for widgets, infact they stole/used the idea of widgets from a company/app called Konfabulator. They did not create iTunes, but rather bought a music app called soundjam from another company

Apple has a history of copying/stealing/using ideas and designs for others and yes, making them better. Again the point I was making was refuting the notion that Apple is always first out the door and always innovating new products (and designs). They have created some great products, and designs, I'll not dispute that, but they also copy/stole/purchased/used other designs and products and in many cases improved them.
 
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macsplusmacs said:
Truly "Redmond, start your copiers" was both bang on truthful and behind the curve.
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True, but being a fast follower has advantages. Someone else does all the early heavy lifting and develops a market; then develop a product that has the desired features and maybe a few additions and enter a market that is big enough to be profitable yet still has growth potential. You essentuially let someone else do your market research and tehn take advantage of what tehy've learned. Even if the originator's idea flops you can still pick pieces that appear to have potential and develop for that.

Look at Linux and much OSS - that's essentially their business model. Rumor has it a computer company named for a fruit does the same in many cases. The key is to identifying the arc and when to get in.

You just don't want to be too far behind the curve.
 
I can understand why. As a long-time Linux user I worked with so many Window managers and trying hard to get the look and feel of OS X from the look of the widgets on the windows to a dock to keyboard shortcuts etc.

Eventually I just said screw it and got a Mac for real. But I still use Linux but gave up a long time ago trying to make it something it isn't and just embrace what it actually is, and I was fine.
 
maflynn said:
I know seriously, it's not like Apple visited Xerox and copied the idea of the mouse, gui and what not. They would never do that

And then inventing the MP3 player :oops:
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cooor someone has watched all the movies and thinks they are a pro.
 
AJ674 said:
Android did Widgets first. ;-)
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I had widgets on my Mac Plus back in the late 80s.

I had widgets on my Newton back in the mid 90s.

I had widgets on my Amiga.

I had widgets on OS X, first with Konfabulator, and later baked-in with Dashboard.

Windows Mobile OS had widgets.

Palm OS had widgets.

Widgets have been part of Windows for a long time.

All before Android.
 
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