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X11 Beta 3, Mac OS X 10.2.5 Seeded, iWorks, Tidbits...
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The part of iWorks where apple can really innovate will be the database app. The fact is, most excel spreadsheets are just tables of data - aka databases, albeit rather limited ones. That's why they added the "list" features.
FilemakerPro won't cut it either. It's powerful, but not terribly user friendly. And it's limited with regards to the flexible structures of data that people often want to use. Likewise all SQL database. But XML databases like Xindice can be much more flexible.
And Address Book, while a specialized database, IS very flexible. Each entry can have as many labled phone numbers or addresses as they need. You don't need to set up a different table element for work numbers or whatever, and not have a place to put less obvious data. And best of all, Address Book has a very clean and user friendly interface for entering and browsing that data.
If they took Address Book, increased the performance, abstracted the data structures and made it work with XML based data and schemas, added in a fast "table" way of entering data, and gave it relational database capabilities, and developed user friendly methods for querying and programming the database, they would have a database that would kick the ass of anything else out there at the consumer level.
FilemakerPro won't cut it either. It's powerful, but not terribly user friendly. And it's limited with regards to the flexible structures of data that people often want to use. Likewise all SQL database. But XML databases like Xindice can be much more flexible.
And Address Book, while a specialized database, IS very flexible. Each entry can have as many labled phone numbers or addresses as they need. You don't need to set up a different table element for work numbers or whatever, and not have a place to put less obvious data. And best of all, Address Book has a very clean and user friendly interface for entering and browsing that data.
If they took Address Book, increased the performance, abstracted the data structures and made it work with XML based data and schemas, added in a fast "table" way of entering data, and gave it relational database capabilities, and developed user friendly methods for querying and programming the database, they would have a database that would kick the ass of anything else out there at the consumer level.
Just a dumb question, if I may...
But why can't/shouldn't Apple make an advanced front end with mySQL as the backend for the database? A nice aqua front end that's AppleScriptable, etc. Heck, even make it back end flexible where it could use almost any DB for the backend.
theFly
But why can't/shouldn't Apple make an advanced front end with mySQL as the backend for the database? A nice aqua front end that's AppleScriptable, etc. Heck, even make it back end flexible where it could use almost any DB for the backend.
theFly
Re: Red Hat?
you have to download Uptimeinmenubar and MenuMeters to get the RAM and uptime, and then Spy for the Processor usage (looks way cool if you have dualies), and finally Meteorologist for the temp. good stuff.
you have to download Uptimeinmenubar and MenuMeters to get the RAM and uptime, and then Spy for the Processor usage (looks way cool if you have dualies), and finally Meteorologist for the temp. good stuff.
Stop with the i in front of everything
I don't know about everyone else hear but iWorks sounds stupid just like everything else Apple has released lately that has an i in front of the word. This method of naming apps was cute in the beginning with the iMac and earlier applications but ENOUGH ALREADY! I really like Keynote as a name of an application but lets get creative with other application names as well instead of slapping an i in front.
While I'm in rant mode, I noticed rumor has it that 10.3 will employ that ugly brushed metal crap system-wide. For the love of all that is holy and decent, please please please give us the option to switch to something else (without having to go to Duality, etc.).
Rant mode off.
I don't know about everyone else hear but iWorks sounds stupid just like everything else Apple has released lately that has an i in front of the word. This method of naming apps was cute in the beginning with the iMac and earlier applications but ENOUGH ALREADY! I really like Keynote as a name of an application but lets get creative with other application names as well instead of slapping an i in front.
While I'm in rant mode, I noticed rumor has it that 10.3 will employ that ugly brushed metal crap system-wide. For the love of all that is holy and decent, please please please give us the option to switch to something else (without having to go to Duality, etc.).
Rant mode off.
Where was the rumor that 10.3 will be completely brushed metal please?
I very much doubt (read: hope) that it will. What would be nice though is the ability to skin/theme built in so you could, if you really really wanted, make the whole system brushed metal.
AppleMatt
Oh btw I want Shadowfax's mac
I very much doubt (read: hope) that it will. What would be nice though is the ability to skin/theme built in so you could, if you really really wanted, make the whole system brushed metal.
AppleMatt
Oh btw I want Shadowfax's mac
Technically speaking, neither does AppleScript - it's a scripting language. Now AS does have a nice IDE with the dev' tools - but I'd bet you could start an AppleScript as a cron job, if you wanted to.
I'll have to look, but I believe there are some GUI cron managers out there - I'm sure there are for Linux, I'll keep my eyes open for any that have been ported/written to OS X.
Originally posted by AppleMatt
Where was the rumor that 10.3 will be completely brushed metal please?
I very much doubt (read: hope) that it will. What would be nice though is the ability to skin/theme built in so you could, if you really really wanted, make the whole system brushed metal.
AppleMatt
Oh btw I want Shadowfax's mac
thanks for the compliment
you know you can get it to be all brushed metal though, with third party apps that aren't that hard to figure out, and they seem to work pretty well as far as performance (in fact, you can optimize performance by trashing transparency and drop shadows with some of them skins).
Duality 4 (beta)
Duality 3.1.1
Just realized you may have to wait on that though
but here is where you can get themes, including good ol' brushed metal
i don't like brushed metal everywhere, myself.
10.3
The rumor regarding 10.3 was located at www.looprumors.com.
I really don't know how accurate they are as I've just discovered them not too long ago.
The rumor regarding 10.3 was located at www.looprumors.com.
I really don't know how accurate they are as I've just discovered them not too long ago.
How about instead of preserving ".DOC", how about Apple creates an open-standard word processing document that they provide to a standards body. Hell, could even just publish everything in an XML document format, a format that any XML-capable program could read/edit. This would preserve an "open standard" formatting, and any and all programs in the Apple Office suite could import/export/write/read/save to an "identical" XML file. Apple could even ship out exporters to RSS (to pick-up the feed on a wireless phone and view it) and other online formats, thereby making a word processing file that could be opened in web browsers on other platforms, at the bear minimum. Microsoft Office is rumored to be shifting to XML in the future, and if Apple capitalizes as well, it could very well create a compatible format that the W3C keeps tabs on and keeps in check. .DOC is all well and good, but you're still slaving to the monster... XML is open, free, and could be inclusive of the spreadsheet and word processing work, as well as perhaps the database documents.
Otherwise, you could even export to PDF or save as an .rtf. True, reading a .doc is a "MUST", but for Apple's native file format... they could well go with anything that's open-standard and perhaps start a revolution rather than try to chase after the current head of the pack by copying.
As far as nomenclature:
Keynote is a good name, Ledger was brilliant (kudos to the person that thought it up), the database could just be Filemaker ::scratching chin:: (not the best name in the whole world but it's known), Document... I'm not too keen on, the verb/noun conundrum. It makes it sound iffy.
However, there should be multiple ways to get the functionality you need:
1) Trim out the excess and sell it as a new "works" style suite, but let's call it "iOffice" as it fits with the iConsumer line, fully integrated to where there's "ONE" common interface. Perhaps iOffice is nothing more than an updated codebase of AppleWorks borrowing much of it's functionality from the "hardcore" Office suite. Like toss in a paired down version of Keynote, Filemaker, Ledger, and Document (or whatever they're all called) that are integrated into "ONE" simple interface.
2) Sell each program individually that comprise the office suite(s). Just like Microsoft does with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access.
3) Apple Office Express... the "Prosumer"/"Small Office"/"Education" edition. Perhaps a more limited license of Filemaker (the database program) and perhaps devoid of such things as a OS X compatible Mail server (perhaps an Exchange server competitor/clone), and any "plug-ins" for stuff such as web page publishing. The Office programs could be extensible via licensed plug-ins.
4) Apple Office Pro... full and hardcore, bundled perhaps with some other niceties (Exchange-compatible mail server or an open-source server, perhaps a fully integrated "UPGRADED" version of Mail.app that could be called "Collaborate", that has iCal and iSync integration along with Exchange server compatibility and works cross-platform with Outlook; perhaps fusing a more "business-minded" interface to iChat and integrating it into the program for collaboration and workflow management; maybe even with a built-in flowchart interface distributed to users as an XML/RSS feed).
I also believe Apple could do well to make a simple page layout program for doing office memos and flyers (iPublish?) and drop it into the Pro suite (sell it separately and/or give it away as part of .Mac as a free download). I spoke of this on the Adobe Acrobat discussion on MacCentral.com. Even perhaps Apple on their high-end version comes with a version of other programs like perhaps a higher-end photo editing/drawing program, which could well be something like Photo Studio Express, which would be like an Apple Photoshop Elements/Illustrator Elements (non-existant but likely a future evolution) or perhaps a first... integration of Vector-based and Bitmap editing in one program.
This is all in keeping with the Apple nomenclature of things, and looking at the MS Office model of things. Just ideas more than anything.
Welcoming the new Apple Office Suite:
iProduce - featuring;
*Ledger - a word processor
*Record - a spreadsheet programme
*Keynote - a presentation creator
and including
*FileMaker, the easy to use database application.
what do you all think? the complete name sounds good. i got the idea from ilife. what does it relate to, iApps relate to your lifestyle. office apps relate to productivity. Well, your thoughts would be appreciated.
iProduce - featuring;
*Ledger - a word processor
*Record - a spreadsheet programme
*Keynote - a presentation creator
and including
*FileMaker, the easy to use database application.
what do you all think? the complete name sounds good. i got the idea from ilife. what does it relate to, iApps relate to your lifestyle. office apps relate to productivity. Well, your thoughts would be appreciated.
This 'iThis', 'iThat' naming structure has become REALLY tired. Apple would be smart to reinvent itself. Looks like they're trying: Keynote, for example.
My .02 cents.
My .02 cents.
Ledger, as said previously, would better fit the name of a spreadsheet. I can't think of anything better than Document so far for the word processor but I don't particularly care too much for it as a name because of the verb/noun confusion. It's not as strong as Ledger (spreadsheet) or Keynote (presentation) as a name. I had thought of perhaps "Novel" but, it'd likely get confused with Novell (networking software)... Novel has the definitions of being an extended writing, book... and being a "novel invention", as in creative or ingenious. Yet it just doesn't roll off the tongue nicely either. Then again, like I said... Document just doesn't seem to work either.
As far as the iNames.... it just fits within their product planning. iApps are either free or consumer/educational level applications. *Name* Express apps. are for Prosumers and perhaps Small businesses that can't afford the *Name* Pro apps., but need more features than the majority of iApps. For Apple to change this philosophy... they'd have to come up with a new "low end" brand philosophy, which would violate everything they've worked this hard to do. Unfortunately, the brand equity tied to iTunes and iPhoto is "TREMENDOUS". Whether you like the naming convention or not, the iApps have stuck and are doing quite well, and people are quickly beginning to understand the equity of them. Killing off the iApp name for non-professional applications would be foolish. In the case of a Keynote, it stands on it's own as a software that thus far, is both entry-level capable, and professional-grade. As a result, it transcends and carries a singular name. My bank is that Keynote will remain this way, as will other members of the Office suite, but I'd not deny Apple the opportunity to take on MS Office's gradings on PC. After all, Apple could use an alternative to MS products like Exchange Server, Outlook, Publisher, Photodraw, etc. to bolster their product lineup, provide competition, and back themselves up in case MS pulls the plug or doesn't offer it.
That is why, as I previously stated, Apple should release both an iOffice (AppleWorks replacement, more up to date, carves a new niche by being more innovative, new name symbolizes this change by not continuing on in the *Works realm of Claris and Apple) as well as Apple Office Express (mid-level, restricted version of the Pro app.; perhaps just the 4-5 "CORE" Office Applications; 5 being like MS Office:Mac in that it has an Entourage competitor that is both Exchange [or open alternative] savvy, and works like pumped up version of Email.app or Outlook Express) and perhaps an Apple Office Pro (contains more bells and whistles for the Professional Office, designed to go toe to toe and exceed MS Office Premium/Professional). iOffice's database would be very simple and easy to use (even if based on Filemaker; it'd be far simpler), as would the other versions of the database component... but they would be more full-featured with more functionality, options, and ability for serving akin to a roadmap of like a Filemaker (iApp integrated and redesigned for easier use), Filemaker Pro (Express), and Filemaker Pro Unlimited Server (Pro) respectively.
Of course, this is presuming that Apple even goes with reintroducing Filemaker into the "NEW" Apple loop of Office software. They could make a brand new XML-based database program that's easier to use, as the other person suggested... and this could be tied to a Office-wise use of XML documents, along with complete interaction between applications (think GoBe or OpenDoc) in terms of ability to read said documents and embellish on them. Imagine if you will, that the Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Database, all use XML formatted files; perhaps even Keynote is updated to use this new pholosophy. Then you'd have "one" file that could work as a form of "projector" in the Macromedia Flash sense... in that you can view it any of the three and add to the document without having to import/export; as well as view it in Safari, IE (Mac/PC), Netscape, et al. with XML being the future of the web as well. Hell, Apple could even toss in a source editor (suite-wide or application-wide) and the program could take it's approach as a web editor too for those that want to muck in the back end.
These are just ideas, but to me it makes more logical sense to keep the branding scheme going because it's successful. I mean, think about it (names in Red could fill in voids currently not in Apple's philosophy):
iMovie -> Final Cut Express -> Final Cut Pro
iDVD -> DVD Studio Express -> DVD Studio Pro
iPhoto -> Photo Studio Express -> Photo Studio Pro
Get the idea? With this philosophy that Apple has created:
iOffice -> Apple Office Express -> Apple Office Pro...
works.
iProduce to me strikes too much as a "movie" application, it might've been a better name than iMovie though now that I think about it. Like iProduce or iDirect (which could be construed as a Director competitor, unfortunately).
I like iPublish for a lightweight page layout program (perhaps a free download for .mac users; another perk of the system), which could be included with something like an Apple Office Pro (similar to MS shipping Publisher with their high end suite on PC) for office works to produce flyers and company documentation for products. Of course this component could lead itself into something like Design Studio Express and Design Studio Pro or some Design-esque name in fitting with Final Cut or Keynote's play on what they're used for, moreso than what they are.
I had thought of iType for the word processor, but it doesn't fit with Keynote, and it doesn't wreak of a "works-style" Office application so much as it does a cheeky name for a word processor, which of course any works-style app. will be more of a swiss army approach. It doesn't fit Apple's current product nomenclature approach; which is as strong a brand equity as anyone in the business; based on it's consistency.
Wait... maybe the word processor could be called "Memo", as in the office lingo to "Jot down a memo". ::shrug:: I dunno, I still don't like "Document", but I'm not sure what sounds better. LoL That'd make:
Memo (word processor)
Ledger (spreadsheet)
Keynote (presentation)
...and whatever we can think up for the database. LoL Filemaker, even if integrated, probably needs an interface overhaul as well as a name change... although it might be best to leave Filemaker out and create a new, easier to use, database program that packs feature for feature but perhaps shifts to an integrated model moreso. Then again, there's Apple's ties with Larry Ellison of Oracle (on Apple's board)... could use an Oracle-integrated database system, or even just support a MySQL backend as suggested. Although I prefer the application(s)-wide approach to a unified XML-based/PDF-based document format system the best.
Re: Re: Re: X11 Beta 3, Mac OS X 10.2.5 Seeded, iWorks, Tidbits...
LOL I had a girl dye her hair blue once and I told her we wouldn't go out. She says oh so you won't date me? I said, no, I'll still date you... we just won't go anywhere.
LOL I had a girl dye her hair blue once and I told her we wouldn't go out. She says oh so you won't date me? I said, no, I'll still date you... we just won't go anywhere.