Forbes: MS Longhorn (Longwait) / Vista Has a Mac like Feel

[Sportymonk]

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2005/...ap2171055.html


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Associated Press
Longhorn Beta Shows Where OS Is Headed
08.03.2005, 03:39 PM

Known for years by the code name "Longhorn," the successor to Microsoft's Windows XP has been dubbed "Longwait" for its numerous delays. As features have been announced, it's also been accused of copying of Apple Computer Inc.'s Mac OS X.

And that was before most people had the chance to see - let alone use - what's now been christened Windows Vista.

Microsoft finally took some of the wraps off last week, releasing Vista's first major test version to about 500,000 programmers and tech professionals. The goal is to let them kick the tires, run their software on it and provide feedback.

Beta 1, as it's known, is far from complete but gives a taste for where the world's most widely used operating system is headed.

Yes, it does have more of a Mac-like look and feel.

And, yes, it's insanely late.


What can I say, as things improve they become more Mac like.

We all knew Mac was the answer all along didn't we?

[Sportymonk]

If you want to find a document in XP, there's a search link in the start menu. Once the keywords are entered, a cartoon character - a dog, by default - does a little dance while the hard drive is scoured. Results appear in seconds - and they include not just text documents but pictures, e-mails and any other type of file.

.....

Mac fans are probably screaming. Yes, this is very similar to the Spotlight function in the recent update of Mac OS X. At this stage of development, Vista does bear a significant resemblance.

........

It remains to be seen whether the graphics capabilities will be turned into something more than eye candy. Apple has made great strides on this front, particularly with a technology called Expose that quickly tiles open windows with one key press.

.....

With Windows Vista's User Account Protection, even administrators are prompted for a password whenever anything is installed or a system setting changed. It's an extra layer of protection that's long been a part Unix-style operating systems, including Mac OS X and Linux.

An Apple a Day Keeps the Viruses, Worms, Trojans, and reboots away!!

[rocky]

Tried a mac laptop over the weekend when simply viewing pictures on a compact flash. in comparison to windows total disaster

[Scoobs]

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1840479,00.asp

[Sportymonk]

Originally posted by rocky
Tried a mac laptop over the weekend when simply viewing pictures on a compact flash. in comparison to windows total disaster

Waht kind of laptop and OS were you using? What was the problem?

[Sportymonk]

Originally posted by Scoobs
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1840479,00.asp

Great link! Liked the comment on page 2

"Right now, and as much as x86 users do not want to admit it, the Mac OS is already better than Windows in its modern look and feel as well as its functionality. I see too many smart people with Mac laptops nowadays."

[shellebelle]

For the record, I loathe Macs. I like the dumbed-down user friendlyness of XP

I won't go into specifics, but my graphics programs are a royal PITA to use on Macs. But Expose is a fantastic feature, I wish Windows had it. In Windows you can have multiple documents open in a program and only have one button for the whole program on the task bar. Need a image file at the bottom of the stack? Go digging...

[jay]

Originally posted by shellebelle
For the record, I loathe Macs. I like the dumbed-down user friendlyness of XP

I won't go into specifics, but my graphics programs are a royal PITA to use on Macs. But Expose is a fantastic feature, I wish Windows had it. In Windows you can have multiple documents open in a program and only have one button for the whole program on the task bar. Need a image file at the bottom of the stack? Go digging...

That's surprising to hear. I'm on the periphery of publishing and graphic arts in my job in the computer biz, and that work has always seemed easier on a Mac. It's no day in the park on the Windows 2000 laptop or Unix box I use at work, that's for sure.

[shellebelle]

As they say, opinions are like, well, you know...everyone has their preference in computers.

We have G5s at school with OSX. We have a few labs with XP for the animation students, I guess their stuff works better on those computers.

My complaints are mostly with how much Macs slow me down, and the little "features" that slow you down even more.

As you know, graphics programs are very keyboard/mouse heavy if you're like me and don't want to go dig the tool you want out of a palette. I've used my programs on a laptop before (with Windows '98- ) and it's difficult, but not awful. Do the design programs even work on Unix? I thought that system was just for computer geeks like my dad.

[shellebelle]

Interestingly, "Vista" is the name of a city near San Diego. I know Microsoft used the name for the translated value, but the city isn't anything to get excited about.

In reading the article I see a lot of minor complaints about things that already have fixes in XP. There's a quick start menu that you can plop on the task bar. You can drop shortcuts to your most frequently used programs into it and not bother with the Start menu. And don't the minimize/maximize buttons already look like glowing Chicklets?

Not sure if I'll dig the transparent elements.

[robottik]

I hear Macs even have a multi button mouse now. Now that's progress!

[shellebelle]

Originally posted by robottik
I hear Macs even have a multi button mouse now. Now that's progress!

Yep, I heard about that the other day on my graphic design forum. Welcome to the twentieth century Mac!

[jdeanski]

actually, Shellebelle in one of the few "graphic" type people to like XP. Most praise Apple. Their operating system may receive praise but their business model sucks. And that's why they are number two!

The only reason their iPod does so well is because they were there early. Compared to the competition Apple is overpriced and you have to buy from their website because of their priority format.

Yep, Im biased...........I got a Dell, dude!

[CMasten]

Originally posted by jdeanski
actually, Shellebelle in one of the few "graphic" type people to like XP. Most praise Apple. Their operating system may receive praise but their business model sucks. And that's why they are number two!

The only reason their iPod does so well is because they were there early. Compared to the competition Apple is overpriced and you have to buy from their website because of their priority format.

Yep, Im biased...........I got a Dell, dude!

The main reason that the Apple IPOD is number one is because it has the best user interface and its connection and autoupdate with ITunes is a knock out punch. Yea I use both, have for 20+ years have Dell, HP etc, but I also have a drawer full of Dell Jukeboxes, Creative Muvos etc.. and now have an IPOD for ea member of the family. I dont see it as a bandwagon, I see it as clearly the best product in its class Same reason I have a Dell Lattitude Laptop.