Linked by Andy Roberts on Thu 19th May 2005 19:33 UTC
Java Swing comes with "pluggable look-and-feel technology", which essentially boils down to the fact that interfaces can be "skinned" (although this is simplifying a tad) and is therefore, extremely flexible. By default, Java ships with a cross-platform look-and-feel (LAF), which means your apps can look consistent across all platforms, or LAFs that mimic the look of a specific platform, say Windows, for example. However, one of the chief complaints of Java desktop applications is its "look". It basically stems from two issues:
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After so many years of research, it still amazes me what a mess most desktops are. I'm no zealot, but when it comes to the GUI I am all for consistency. For instance, the official Apple guidelines state that the metal look should be used for apps that represent a real-life device, right. So what the f*&k is wrong with these programmers at Apple, what's up with Safari, what's the real-life device equivalent of a webbrowser?
Seriously, how does this happen at a company such as Apple? It really amazes me, no matter how brilliant some of their stuuf is, how can this happen?? Does no one ever stop to think about that.
And then Java has a general look and feel, but that's a bit weird, because it's cross-platform, so I should think that the best option would be to just look like the host platform, as much as possible. Having these themes and such will only get us nowhere. Look at what some software companies do with programs. Have you ever tried Nero Showtime. It took me 1 minute to find the volume control on that piece of garbage. And I'm not even talking about all that crap software that comes bundled with scanners, printers and usb devices. My desktop looks like a toystore/electronics shop!
It just goes to show that if you give people/companies these tools, they will abuse 'em, and make more shitty looking apps, with radio buttons in dropdown menu's and silver/shiny grab/hold/release/twitch controls.
Bah!