Linked by Andy Roberts on Thu 19th May 2005 19:33 UTC
Java 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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@Rayiner Hashem
by betamike on Thu 19th May 2005 21:33 UTC

"Why does Microsoft do this? Especially when Apple seems to have no problem keeping things coherent?"

As much as I love OS X, its a bit misleading to say Apple is entirely uniform considering there is the Panther default window, brushed metal, and the new gradient windows in Tiger.