An interesting article has been making its way around the internet the past few days, titled "Top 10 Usability Highs Of Mac OS". Mac OS X indeed does some things very, very right, just like many other operating systems and graphical environments do some things very, very right. The issue with the list of the article in question is that many of the items on the list are not exactly examples of "Usability Highs" at all.
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Member since:2005-07-06
you want a unified toolbar for all apps?
from photoshop to textedit?!
If you unify the toolbar you will likly make it less intuitive, not more. Certain items within the toolbar can be, and often ARE consistent
With regards to the dock, beyond when you sitdown at a new Mac, it is highly unlikly you will be greated with any application YOU didnt put there, as such you almost certainly know what the application is.
If the visual queue is powerful enough, there is no need for a written one (in paticular if it is familiar)
floppy disk = save
printer = print
scissors = cut
Member since:2007-01-22
Member since:2006-01-10
He didn't talk about a unified toolbar, but a global one. I actually agree with him on that. I like that the menu is always at the top of the screen. But if you're consequent, the toolbar should always be at the top of the screen, too - and not attached to each window as it is right now.
Member since:2007-01-22
oh I see your definition of a unified toolbar is different than mine. I meant sticking the toolbar of whatever app you're using right under the menu on top. That unifies the menu and the toolbar.
Or you can do as Microsoft did in Office 2007 and replace the menu with a ribbon.
Member since:
2007-01-22
I would like to like mac os. I have 2 major problems. The fact that there is only one menu and that is at the top. (but this is inconsistent as the toolbars are attached to the apps: there is not a global toolbar to go along the global menu)
I also don't like the fact that there is no text with the icons on the dock. I want to see what I'm dealing with before I move my mouse. Every other OS seems to get it 'right' on those points, at least for me. The taskbar is so important and that is why I'd say Windows wins even if it is cruddy in so many other aspects.