What windows features would you like to see implimented in OS X?

[mmmdreg]

Re: What windows features would you like to see implimented in OS X?

Originally posted by ZildjianKX

-Being able to cut and paste files

I swear you can do that off the top of my head.. well copy/paste at least. Cutting's not really necessary if you can just delete it.

Anyhow, they should have:
*an ftp from the finder that actually works. Windows does it relatively nicely but then again, Windows explorer is nothing but a browser in the first place.

*Also, the finder should load the basic contents and then lag if it must (on servers) as windows does. Right now, it just lags until it has loaded the entire directory contents into the memory or whatever and then proceeds to list them, which is a pain in the arse.

 

[cubist]

Resizing from four sides would be good, because sometimes the bottom and/or right is off the screen, and Mac OS X makes it a real pain to resize it. Yes, I know, click the green button. How "intuitive" .

I'd like the ability to change all interface colors, fonts and sizes. Windows has been able to do it since 1995.

 

[ewinemiller]

I know some of these have already been mentioned, but here's my top things I miss when on OSX.

- Thumbnail view on folders. I use my Mac as a file server, when I want to search for a particular image I end up flipping over to the PC and browsing it over the network just to get thumbnails. I know I can use Preview to open a bunch at the same time, but it's not as quick as the thumbnails cache and it always displays them in a different order than the disk.

- File Open/Save are really just views into explorer. This is so handy, I can rename, delete, launch, etc. Anything I can do in Explorer, I can do in a File/Open window. I use this constantly, for example, I go to save a file, realize I want to keep a copy of the older one, but want the new one to have the existing name, I rename the old one while still in the File Save dialog and then save the new file with the correct name.

- Resizing windows from any edge. I can't count the number of times I've gotten a window so big that it goes underneath the launch bar and I've had to go into system preferences and move the bar to the side so I could resize the window, total pain in the rear.

- Have it remember open with selections for file extensions automatically. If I use Open With on XP, next time I select a file of that extension, it's already an option, I don't have to reselect the same application each time. I'm sure there is a way to set this up under OSX so that the option I want is there, but it should learn it automatically.

- I like drag and drop in windows with my right mouse because it gives the context menu of what I want to do with the files at the destination. I don't have to remember which hot key causes a copy, which is move.

It's good to see a thread like this here. OSX is not the end all be all of ease of use, there are a lot of very good things Apple could learn from MS and likewise MS could learn from Apple. I'd love to have a view in explorer that behaves like Finders folder and files in the same tree view. I find myself missing that when on the windows side.

 

[Doctor Q]

You've got me thinking, ewinemiller. Why are the associations between file extensions and applications treated like a "magic" feature anyway? Using an "Open with..." feature one file at a time is sometimes handy, but there should be a central place to handle file associations too. In particular, there should be an application in the Utilities folder, or a preference pane, called File Associations. In it, you should be able to see the association lists, sorted however you like, showing extensions, applications, and maybe even MIME types and icons, and be able to change the associations as you see fit. In the Finder, when you control-click or get info for an application, you should be able to see its associated extensions or have a quick link to its settings in the File Associations application or preference pane.

MS Windows Explorer has an "Open with..." feature and the View->Options->File Types dialog box, but Apple could clearly do them one better.

 

[tomf87]

How about kernel32.sys? Just kidding...

I would like for MS to support muliple remote desktop connections on their RDC. It's a pain to have to kill one just to open another.

By the way, how do you move a file on the mac? All I can get is a copy, which is pain sometimes.

The final thing is a maxmize to screen resolution instead of the green button thing. I really find that green button to be quite annoying.

 

[Raiden]

Yeah I really hate the green button.

It hardly ever works properly. Sometimes it just maximizes a window vertically, not even maximizing the horizontal size. Also, its annoying when it maximizes a window so the bottom of the window is behind the dock, and you cant see anything.

The ONE THING I liked about windows is how you can just press the maximize button and the app fills the entire screen. Cause in OSX, the green button NEVER works properly and you constantly have to position and resize the app window manually, when in windows 95 (hell 3.1 too), you could just press the maximize button and BAM! Perfect use of all screen real estate automatically.

This is my BIGGEST AND ONLY gripe with OSX. I hope the fix it soon!!

 

[matthew24]

Taskbar/Dock

I prefer the taskbar/Start-button in Windows over the Dock in OSX. Why? Because of the clear separation between active and non-active programs and because of very fast switching. The Dock in OSX becomes disordered quite easy. I gave Apple feedback: Create a quick feature to switch between different modes. These are the modes:
1) All programs. (Active on one-, non-Active on the other side.)
2) Active Apps.
3) non-Active Apps.

Anyway I really like OSX very much.

 

[Santiago]

Originally posted by ewinemiller
- Have it remember open with selections for file extensions automatically. If I use Open With on XP, next time I select a file of that extension, it's already an option, I don't have to reselect the same application each time. I'm sure there is a way to set this up under OSX so that the option I want is there, but it should learn it automatically.

Select the File
Choose "Get Info"
Open the "Open With" tab
Select the Application you want (This will change it for just that file)
Optionally, click "Change All" (This will change it for all files with that extension and creator code (basically, creator code=icon you see, if you have no idea what a creator code is)), then click "Ok"

----

The problem with cutting-and-pasting files is that it doesn't and shouldn't work like all other cutting-and-pasting. Open a text document. Type two words. Select the first and cut. Select the second and cut--the first is now gone forever. Destroying files like that is a bad, bad idea. Popping up a dialog box here is also bad--cutting isn't supposed to bring up dialog boxes.

The Windows solution is to have cut not actually destroy the file and copy it to memory like a real cut, but only to remember that you want to move this file. If you then paste it somewhere else without cutting something else in between, it performs a move. This is abuse of the metaphor. Note, for instance, that if you type a word, copy it, and then delete it, it is still copied. Try this with a file, and you do not have a copy of it in memory.

The correct solution, which NeXT implemented, is to have a shelf. Drag a file to the shelf, and it behaves as a proxy for the original. You can now go elsewhere with the file browser and drag or option-drag the file to move or copy it just like the original. The shelf is sadly missing in OS X, though there are third-party programs, like X-Shelf, that implement such a solution.

 

[Santiago]

Originally posted by Raiden
Yeah I really hate the green button.

It hardly ever works properly. Sometimes it just maximizes a window vertically, not even maximizing the horizontal size. Also, its annoying when it maximizes a window so the bottom of the window is behind the dock, and you cant see anything.

The ONE THING I liked about windows is how you can just press the maximize button and the app fills the entire screen. Cause in OSX, the green button NEVER works properly and you constantly have to position and resize the app window manually, when in windows 95 (hell 3.1 too), you could just press the maximize button and BAM! Perfect use of all screen real estate automatically.

This is my BIGGEST AND ONLY gripe with OSX. I hope the fix it soon!!

This not a bug, this is a feature. On Windows, maximize means "Fill the Screen." On Mac OS, maximize means "Make the window just big enough to display its contents without scrolling." It does precisely what it is supposed to do. There is no need to make the window bigger, as there is no content to go in any possible added space.

The window going behind the Dock is due to bad coding on the part of the application. Applications are supposed to ask the Dock where it is and respect this by not putting windows there.

 

[Hugin777]

Originally posted by Santiago
The window going behind the Dock is due to bad coding on the part of the application. Applications are supposed to ask the Dock where it is and respect this by not putting windows there.

Otherwise Option-Cmd-D is your friend

 

[Doctor Q]

Originally posted by Santiago
The window going behind the Dock is due to bad coding on the part of the application. Applications are supposed to ask the Dock where it is and respect this by not putting windows there.

Should the Finder follow this rule? Once upon a time, when I was new to Mac OS X, I moved a window so that the resize handle happened to overlap the dock. I thought the window was on top of the dock, and I tried to resize the window so it didn't overlap. You can guess what happened - I ended up moving an icon off the dock, complete with the poof! effect. Not intuitive or convenient for a beginner.

 

[Hugin777]

Win -> Mac

I've also switched recently, and found much is different under OS X.

For example, in Windows you often go straight to the settings when you have installed a new application. You adjust all the settings to your liking and almost never go in there again.

In OS X the standard settings are often ok, but you (I) go in there regardless. But while using the program the settings are a part of the program. They are not full of useless junk; they are a way to suit the application for your current needs. A good example here is iTunes.

Likewise, when it comes to the Dock, I think you shouldn't think of it as a static thing that you set up when you install OS X and then never touches again. It's extremely easy to add and remove things as you switch between projects. The Dock is your currently (most) used stuff - some of it is running.

So I actually like the Dock a lot. But it's not at all like on Windows. I think it's better.

--
And as to the green button Yes, coming from Windows I also wanted to just fill the whole screen with my current application (mostly Safari or Word). But this is just not the Apple way The application takes over the menu bar, not the screen... (normally)

 

[mikeyredk]

funny

being able to restart every 2-4 hours sometimes i think we don't see enough of the startup screen

 

[alset]

Re: i dont use windows much at all but...

Originally posted by settledown
i had to print something for my mom-in-law on her computer. (she was having trouble)
Anyway XP said "I am printing your document", then said "Your document is done printing". I thought that was very useful.
At work, my iMac is in my office, but the office laser printer is in a common room. It would be nice if my iMac just said, "Done printing your 32 page document"
That way I wont be standing in the copy room waiting for the printer to spit it out.

I know it is trivial, but very helpful to mom-in-laws who can barely turn the computer on, let alone set up/use the printer.

p.s. this feature needs to be able to be turned off.

Look at the Print Center in your dock during printing. It shows page numbers of your document.

Dan

 

[wowoah]

Did anyone ever mention Windows' Add/Remove Programs control panel? I know that in theory, OS X's way of just being able to drag your program to the trash is better and more intuitive, but realistically and practically, things don't always work that way, and too many of my programs which I've "uninstalled" by dragging to the trash end up leaving little remants all over my computer that are impossible to find. Apple should really consider implementing some kind of more effective uninstall method (albeit something more pretty and Mac-like than an ugly window )

And ditto to all those who griped about the maximizing windows, inability to manipulate files through the open/save boxes, and other stuff.

Anyone at Apple listening?

 

[Chealion]

Originally posted by wowoah
Did anyone ever mention Windows' Add/Remove Programs control panel? I know that in theory, OS X's way of just being able to drag your program to the trash is better and more intuitive, but realistically and practically, things don't always work that way, and too many of my programs which I've "uninstalled" by dragging to the trash end up leaving little remants all over my computer that are impossible to find. Apple should really consider implementing some kind of more effective uninstall method (albeit something more pretty and Mac-like than an ugly window )

And ditto to all those who griped about the maximizing windows, inability to manipulate files through the open/save boxes, and other stuff.

Anyone at Apple listening?

We did talk about this... about 7 posts or so in.

 

[gello2424]

The window going behind the Dock is due to bad coding on the part of the application. Applications are supposed to ask the Dock where it is and respect this by not putting windows there.

Yeah apps you have to respect the dock!

 

[mozzchops]

It would be nice if the app your running only has 1 window open and you click the X is closes the app - I hate it when u gotta quit the app !!!

 

[macguymike]

My list

Some of these may have been posted before...

1. Windows-like image/video thumbnailing and previewing within the Finder.

2. Crtl-click on an image to set it as the desktop picture.

3. Better contextual menu support.

4. More games.

I think that's about it. I'm sure I'll think of and agree with other ideas here once I read all the posts.

 

[Vector]

Originally posted by mozzchops
It would be nice if the app your running only has 1 window open and you click the X is closes the app - I hate it when u gotta quit the app !!!

What if i had one window opened and wanted to close it and open a new one? Then the app is going to quit and i will have to start it back up or double click the file in order to get to the other file. This would confuse people more as they would wonder why apps were closing without being told to. If you hate having to close the app after closing the last window just pres command-q instead of command-w and it will quit the whole program.

 

[Vector]

Re: My list

Originally posted by macguymike
Some of these may have been posted before...

1. Windows-like image/video thumbnailing and previewing within the Finder.

You can. The finder window has to be set to column view and then once you get to a picture it shows it to you and if you select a movie you can play it in the small preview window it has (you can play quicktime and qtvr compatible files).

 

[Doctor Q]

Originally posted by mozzchops
It would be nice if the app your running only has 1 window open and you click the X is closes the app - I hate it when u gotta quit the app !!!

Leaving the application active is correct behavior as far as Apple's guidelines are concerned, and I have argued until I am blue in the face that it is a bad design. The evidence: I have yet to meet a beginner who found this intuitive and it leads to frequent confusion for beginners and casual users. Under virtual memory, the resources to keep the application open aren't really a problem, but the user who clicks the application in the dock (or, under Mac OS 9, selects it in the Application menu) or tries to relaunch it thinks it didn't work. They don't notice that the menu has changed to that application's menu because they are expecting to see a document window.

Apple wrote the rules and Apple's software is pretty consistent about following them. Yes, users can learn Apple's conventions. But I say that if every beginner is confused, it is the O.S.'s fault, not the users'.

 

[Doctor Q]

Re: My list

Originally posted by macguymike
4. More games.

What could be more fun and exciting than Apple's latest game: Mac OS X 10.2.8 Update? It's the talk of the town and people were "playing" it all day yesterday! Wheeee!

 

[mozzchops]

Originally posted by Vector
What if i had one window opened and wanted to close it and open a new one? Then the app is going to quit and i will have to start it back up or double click the file in order to get to the other file. This would confuse people more as they would wonder why apps were closing without being told to. If you hate having to close the app after closing the last window just pres command-q instead of command-w and it will quit the whole program.

Then minimize it and open the new one ;-)

I'm a *nix user so use the keyboard more than the mouse - but its confusing for new users, they sometimes have apps open without a window and open the app again wondering whats wrong...

 

[macguymike]

Re: Re: My list

Originally posted by Vector
You can. The finder window has to be set to column view and then once you get to a picture it shows it to you and if you select a movie you can play it in the small preview window it has (you can play quicktime and qtvr compatible files).

True, but the preview doesn't work for all files (even images) and I can't resize the image as it's stuck in its column.