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New Apple Site Design?

I don't think Aqua will disappear totally, especially for a small upgrade. Then if they have an upgraded version, there might be an option for using Aqua, different skins, who knows.

The Apple website's Photoshop page looks like Aqua, why do you think it isn't?
 
This debate can be summed up as follows:

Aqua == pretty
Aqua != snappy

The hardware overhead is too much at this point. I mean, if you need a DP1G and a gig of RAM in order to not feel slowed down then something's wrong.

I LOVE the way Aqua looks. I HATE the way it runs on my G3.
 
If Apple ever does come up with some way of redesigning their website, I would like to see just three minor changes.
(1) When I click on a tab, it should turn aqua, just as when you hit "Cancel" for an option in OS X.
(2) Some buttons or tabs should pulsate, as do a few buttons in OS X.
(3) I would like to see more spotlights on the front page. That way I do not need to search the database for certain news reports: "Students of Maine receive iBooks...", "This just in: Gateway copies Apple... https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/4110/ ", "A majority of people here use Macs, so should you!"

You get the point.
__________________

Any time is a great time for iPod.
 
The horse they rode in on

If apple is seriously considering changing their interface it would make sense. They came back from the brink by making the link between fashon and computing. Apple pulled the pc out of comodity status and turned it into a lifestyle object. Now they must deal with their own creation by keeping up with trends in computing and fashon. Luckily apple has been ahead of the curve thus far and they ended up creating more trends than they followed, but it takes a lot of talent to stay that way.


Due to Apples close hardware/software integration I wouldn't be supprised if the eye candy (not the basic UI rules and structure mind you) starts to change almost as often as the case designs.
 
Personally, I like Aqua.. I like it a lot.. I just wish the buttons came in different flavors or in the forms of dalmations or something! :) just kidding.. no really, all Apple needs to do is make a preference panel to reign in control for the control freaks.. Want drop shadows? Check this box. Want pulsations? Check this box.. What color? Use the color wheel.. Just customize it so people can change the look or optionally disable certain cpu-sapping functions, but leave it available for those who have G4s, G5s, or are in a feel good mood when they surf. For those who want faster use on a g3 or to turn an Apple into a boring Linux box, let them! But for those who want a little more panache, keep Aqua around and up the customizability!

And incidently, I don't see a major reason for Apple to change their site. It's pleasant, well layed out.. but oh yess.. I forgot, progress means reinventing the wheel every time we get bored with it.. As if enough of the old pages with broken links weren't bad enough..
 
The System Prefs settings have been called for for quite some time...I just hope Apple is listening.

I think their site looks fine. It matches their products in look and feel.

However, if new hardware/software comes out that follows different design trends, Apple will surely switch.
 
Re: the buttons

Originally posted by bellboy
I think he was talking about the buttons in the middle of page... the "buy now" I assume.
Click to expand...

Yes, I was referring to the buttons on the Photoshop page. They are 2D and, I think, much easier on the eyes than the Aqua capsules.

And, bellboy, hang around here long enough and you will learn that I am very adamantly a she. :D
 
Re: Re: the buttons

Originally posted by cleo
And, bellboy, hang around here long enough and you will learn that I am very adamantly a she. :D
Click to expand...

Don't you just love how the anonymity of the 'Net makes everyone a "he"?
Sometimes it seems like it's two steps forward, one step back...
 
Re: Re: the buttons

Originally posted by cleo

Yes, I was referring to the buttons on the Photoshop page. They are 2D and, I think, much easier on the eyes than the Aqua capsules.
Click to expand...

Yuck, I don't like them. Especially if the whole site takes over that look. The colors are too saturated and close to primary, I hope they do something a little more stylish.

I checked the site and other applications have the same buttons, but the store doesn't. We'll have to see if they start updating the other sections of the site.
 
Re: I think they know...

Originally posted by bellboy
Although Apple hasn't been as agressive as, say Microsoft, with advertising their new OS, I do think that people know what the new OS looks like - everyone who has purchased a Mac since, what was it MWSF, knows what OSX looks like as it is the default OS now.
Click to expand...

Hardly anyone knows what OSX looks like. Seriously. I'm a freelance editor. I go to production facilities with tons of macs operating. They look at my laptop with OSX and say "what is that?"

I just sublet an office for my system within another company. The entire company is macs. They are all networked. They do cutting edge websites, cdroms, videos. They come by my little office and see me running FCP, GoLive, Photoshop in OSX and usually ask the same thing... "Is that new?" The more educated as "so is that OSX?" But these guys are networked. The share work and resources. They can't even possibly think about switching to X. I can't completely. Little office programs don't run on X. Scanners for some reason haven't developed hardly a single driver for older scanners.

Not until these sort of companies realize they can make the switch (or are forced to... say with PS 8 or Avid version 12, will the mass of people SEE OSX. I'd say it's the little guy that can afford to upgrade a single system instead of a whole floor or the cutting edge folk you find surfing MacRumors in the off hours. But we ARE NOT the norm guys. OSX has only been worth having since OSX.1 when people started making apps for real. That's been what... half a year?

If I were Mac I wouldn't doubt myself. I'd add on. I wouldn't ditch a concept so quickly. Make more themes. Make everything equal to OS9. Make a OS9 or classic theme. Make the transition even easier for the latecomers. They don't know they're late. They were just busy working instead of surfing. :)

Know what I want more than anything? GoMac for OSX. Or at least LiteSwitch. app+tab fuctionality that works!
 
Re: Re: I think they know...

Originally posted by bretm
Know what I want more than anything? GoMac for OSX. Or at least LiteSwitch. app+tab fuctionality that works!
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with those apps, what do they do?
Do they provide better application switching than X does with Command + Tab?
 
I think we have to stop looking at the G3 as a performance benchmark. I understand that there are still a lot of people who own and use G3 based computers, and I feel you pain, but OSX was definitley not built for you - and I don't think that will ever really change. Apple designed OSX 2-4 years in advance, and the G3 definitely isn't on their roadmap. They'll support you, to some degree, because they have to, but I'm pretty sure that they're going to move away from the G3 processor as quickly as they can (the iMac is obvious proof of this).

Apple likes/has to progress technology a lot quicker than most companies... they kinda' have to to survive. They're a hardware vendor, first and foremost, and moving people over to OSX is a great way to increase sales. Do I agree with it? yes, to some extent.... I mean, they had to draw a line in the sand somewhere. They didn't phase out the ADB ports when the brought USB in, so I guess we're lucky the didn't do the same thing with the G3.


cleo, I do appologize about that. I swear I pressed the 's' key... ;)
 
Re: Re: Re: the buttons

Originally posted by Rower_CPU


Don't you just love how the anonymity of the 'Net makes everyone a "he"?
Sometimes it seems like it's two steps forward, one step back...
Click to expand...

Remember that thread long ago about the whole "any girls in here?" Basically it's been established that the majority here is guys, so for one to assume that one is talking to another guy is only natural, especially in an anonymous environment.

I don't exactly see the relevance of gender when it comes to discussing in forums anyway... does it really matter whether we're a guy or a girl? After all, I thought the idea was to blur the the line of difference, not enhance it...
 
Blurring the lines of identification on the 'Net also leads sexual predators to seduce girls on the web...

My point was that unless you know the person's sex for sure it's rude to assume they're a "he"...or even that they're a "she"...My first name is Robin, so naturally I get a lot of mail for "Ms. Robin...". It's irritating and rude of people to assume they know the sex of the party they are addressing.

The boards here make it difficult because 1) we can't see each other, 2) people's usernames are cryptic and androgynous (for the most part).

My solution: take a grammar lesson, and learn to use the pronoun "they".
 
Originally posted by Xapplimatic
Personally, I like Aqua.. I like it a lot.. I just wish the buttons came in different flavors or in the forms of dalmations or something! :) just kidding.. no really, all Apple needs to do is make a preference panel to reign in control for the control freaks.. Want drop shadows? Check this box. Want pulsations? Check this box.. What color? Use the color wheel.. Just customize it so people can change the look or optionally disable certain cpu-sapping functions, but leave it available for those who have G4s, G5s, or are in a feel good mood when they surf. For those who want faster use on a g3 or to turn an Apple into a boring Linux box, let them! But for those who want a little more panache, keep Aqua around and up the customizability!
Click to expand...

I believe that this kind of customization is the wrong thing to do. This is why Windows is soo complicated compared to the Mac and why it has so many problems all the time. The more options you give the user, the more complicated it gets and the more frustrating it is. Apple is know for simplicity and ease with their products so I think the most customization you'll ever get with the appearance of the OS is just a drop down list with each theme.
 
I disagree

I think customization is a must in an OS....

Each person is different, and enjoys using their computer in different ways. I don't think that having these options hurt the experience at all. I mean, as a "power user" I love the idea of tailoring the OS exactly the way I want it.... as long as these options are presented in a easy-to-use fashion, and there is a "reset to default" button, I don't think anyone will have a problem.

As for windows, I think it's level of complexity has more to do with it's poor craftsmanship than it's level of customization.
 
Customization

I think you're both right. The key, I think, would be havign a certain number of options available, but only such that if they are selcted in any combination the result is still distinctively Apple-ish and elegant. I think the fear is that if Apple opens up too many customization options, the overall quality of the appearance will go down, which will not be good at all for attracting new users.
 
Re: Customization

Originally posted by cleo
The key, I think, would be havign a certain number of options available, but only such that if they are selcted in any combination the result is still distinctively Apple-ish and elegant.
Click to expand...

Thats a great idea, make it more than just 'themes' on the same template. If you could have more than one button/scroll bar design instead of just selecting colors you might even be able to optimize for speed if that is necessary on a slower computer. It might allow Apple to gain more acceptance on upgrading older machines to OSX, something they sorely need. Not to mention on some of the late model iBooks.

If they can incorporate this in OSX.2 it would be a major leap forward for Apple's OS. Zooming windows and eyecandy are nice, but when you get right down to it, functionality/usability is truly the most important aspect of the OS.
 
Originally posted by kainjow
I believe that this kind of customization is the wrong thing to do. This is why Windows is soo complicated compared to the Mac and why it has so many problems all the time. The more options you give the user, the more complicated it gets and the more frustrating it is. Apple is know for simplicity and ease with their products so I think the most customization you'll ever get with the appearance of the OS is just a drop down list with each theme.
Click to expand...

Wrong. What makes Windows complicated is the registry, device drivers, IRQ settings, etc.

Windows XP did something right by allowing you to turn off the "Fischer-Price" GUI, and go back to the Win2K appearance. Ugly, yes. More functional, HELL yes.

I would be tickled pink to have the ability to individually turn off the GUI "enhancements" in OS X.
 
Re: Re: Re: the buttons

Originally posted by dukestreet


Yuck, I don't like them. Especially if the whole site takes over that look. The colors are too saturated and close to primary, I hope they do something a little more stylish.

I checked the site and other applications have the same buttons, but the store doesn't. We'll have to see if they start updating the other sections of the site.
Click to expand...
It seems that each product has a "Buy Now" button that, somewhat, matches the product. The TiBook is, well, "Ti" looking, the iMac, iBook and iPod are soft-white and the PowerMacs and Monitors are clear-ish.

Now that I've surfed to all of those pages and seen all those buttons, i have the uncontrolable urge to "Buy Now!" ;)
 
Originally posted by Rower_CPU
Blurring the lines of identification on the 'Net also leads sexual predators to seduce girls on the web...
Click to expand...

That door can swing both ways, though. If the sexual predator doesn't know the person's gender in the first place, how will they know whether to stalk them or not? (Unless they're just totally nuts, and I don't even wanna go there... :eek: )

You're right, using "they" is a good solution. And with a name such as "Cleo", I would think one would naturally think twice anyway before calling them a "he"... :D
 
Re: Re: I think they know...

Originally posted by bretm


Hardly anyone knows what OSX looks like. Seriously. I'm a freelance editor. I go to production facilities with tons of macs operating. They look at my laptop with OSX and say "what is that?"

[snip]

I'd say it's the little guy that can afford to upgrade a single system instead of a whole floor or the cutting edge folk you find surfing MacRumors in the off hours. But we ARE NOT the norm guys. OSX has only been worth having since OSX.1 when people started making apps for real. That's been what... half a year?

If I were Mac I wouldn't doubt myself. I'd add on. I wouldn't ditch a concept so quickly. Make more themes. Make everything equal to OS9. Make a OS9 or classic theme. Make the transition even easier for the latecomers. They don't know they're late. They were just busy working instead of surfing. :)

Know what I want more than anything? GoMac for OSX. Or at least LiteSwitch. app+tab fuctionality that works!
Click to expand...


Great post. Most of us forget and begin to think that everyone dreams in aqua every night, read Think Secret while eating their Cheerios, and count the days until OS X preview announcements. ;)

Aqua isn't going away any time soon. When Apple feels the message has finally sunk in, we may get some official themes...

Does anyone remember the leak of several themes on a German web site shortly around the release of OS X 10.0? (Or was it more around PB-time?) Snow and Metal are the two I recall. These could've just been fakes but they were very polished (you can often tell the genuine Apple stuff from the small details), and when discovered the web pages disappeared *very* quickly.

I thought the Snow theme was pretty nice.

In the meantime, though, if you've tired of Aqua get a theme manager and go the unoffical route.

BTW bretm - I'm not personally a big GoMac fan (why not just use the Dock, or alternatives like DragThing, LaunchBar, or DropDrawers?) but for proper app+tab functionality check out Keyboard Maestro or App Switcher (the latter, still in beta, is free and very similar to the thank-God-it-exists LiteSwitch).
 
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