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What do You want in Mac OSX that isn't there yet?

TEG

TEG

macrumors 604
Original poster
Jan 21, 2002
6,629
178
Langley, Washington
I was thinking about this reciently, but most other UN*X systems support several thing Mac OSX doesn't. I know some are comming with Panther, and some can be done via 3rd Parties, but I wan't to know.. What do You want in Mac OSX that isn't there yet?

My Top 5.
1)Multiple Desktop Environments under one User
2)Support for Smart Card (For the Enterprise Environment, User Folders are on the Server, one logs into a machine, with a smart card incerted, when one wants to move, take the smart card with you, and plug it into another machine, type your password, and boom, right how you left it on the other machine) Very common in UN*X Environments.
3) Use Different Themes (Easilly Made)
4) Allow for Unix Scripts to be executed from Finder (Great for some programs that require some special tag or info in the command line to run them)
5) Utilize all Shells, remote access shells, and utilities.

Special Mention - Fix the FTP integration into Finder

Any others?
Please Point out things that are comming, or things I just don't know how to do.

TEG
 
Re: What do You want in Mac OSX that isn't there yet?

Originally posted by TEG
... What do You want in Mac OSX that isn't there yet?...
Click to expand...

Okay, this might be a little out of context as it's not nearly as technical as the features you've mentioned, but as you asked what I would like in Mac OS X...

Something similiar to Character Map in Windows. Or will this be Font Book? All I want to do is scan the characters in various fonts and copy whatever character from the 'map' to whatever app I want it to appear in.

Maybe it's already there but I haven't seen it. But then it took me a while to figure out how to get the hash symbol on screen, so it's probably me :)

MARK
 
Doesn't the Keycaps utility do that, mmmbop?

I have a suggestion for the list: I'd like to have builtin support for Windows Media Player files. There are free players available, but I think it's a basic need that MacOS X should meet, like being able to display BMP files or play WAV files.
 
For Extra Characters in a peticular font, use Character Palette. You may have to activate it via the Keyboard Pane.

TEG
 
I'd like to see something like Windows accessability, so I can make the Mac beep when I press Caps Lock, so I do not end up with a paragraph of capitals. Very easy, and oh so useful.
 
That's my point. BMPs are a Windows-native file format that is commonly used, so its important that Preview know how to display them. I'm saying that Windows Media file playback should be handled directly by QuickTime Player (or some other program provided by Apple) for the same reason.
 
UI themes and an upgrade pricing path

1. UI themes.

The Mac platform is largely used by and marketed toward creative professionals. Why doesn't Apple enable OS X's users to alter the look of the UI to suit their tastes?

2. An upgrade pricing path.

I'd like to upgrade for a discounted price, based on version proximity to the new release (via the Software Coupons which come with the OS I currently own-- currently a waste of paper) :rolleyes:
 
Originally posted by Doctor Q
Doesn't the Keycaps utility do that, mmmbop?
Click to expand...

Key Caps, thanks Doctor Q and TEG!! I can't beleive it's been under my nose for so long. I feel a right lemon now.

It's always been one of those things I've always wanted to know but been too afraid to ask!

Moving on... One inconsistency I've noticed, and I guess there's probably a sane explanation for this, is the preview of graphics files in the actual file icon. Sometimes it shows the graphic scaled down, or a generic Mac OS X icon (like PNG, or JPG) or the application icon that created it (most notably Fireworks - is that because it's a carbon app???) It would be nice if the OS could maintain a consistent appearance, as I find the preview feature useful, although I rely on the DOS file extension to differentiate which may not necessarily be there always.

I guess this issue has been discussed once or twice before and I can't imagine Steve Jobs wowing the crowds with news he's made this more consistent in Panther. I'll stick with dragging the files to Preview, then...

I wish I could think of the exciting ideas like expose...

MARK
 
1) Better Windows Sharing
If you haven't noticed Windows has comments usually with their computer name (i.e on XP other computers show up as "mh456001 (Free Music)" where all mac users see is "mh456001"). Also an easier way to share files with Windows users would be cool too. Right now one would need a seperate account to do so with Windows loggin turned on. Even if I do all that all Windows users see is "Samba 2.2.3 (Jonshipman)". Mostly this is Window's fault, but Apple should compensate.

2) Universal gamepad support
Windows 98-XP has it and OS9 has it... why not OSX?

3) Fix the prob that screensavers don't kick on with 3rd party HID drivers

4)Themeable GUI

5) Speed up Finder file transfers. It can be done. Copying via Terminal is currently faster, I suppose it'd be easily fixed for Finder

6) Build in things like Macjanitor and a RAM emptier.

7) Be able to scan for corrupted .plist or other files.

8) Help AOL develop a compatible video conference system with AIM so iChaters can conf with PC users

9) System Restore a la WinXP
Very useful if you try to install an app that messes with system files and do to error that app quits half way through...
 
Originally posted by mmmbop
Moving on... One inconsistency I've noticed, and I guess there's probably a sane explanation for this, is the preview of graphics files in the actual file icon. Sometimes it shows the graphic scaled down, or a generic Mac OS X icon (like PNG, or JPG) or the application icon that created it (most notably Fireworks - is that because it's a carbon app???) It would be nice if the OS could maintain a consistent appearance, as I find the preview feature useful, although I rely on the DOS file extension to differentiate which may not necessarily be there always.
Click to expand...

-mmmbop

If you want you graphics files (.gif, .jpg, etc) to consistently display the icon preview, the graphic as icon, do "View Options" in the windows of choice (Desktop, "All Windows, This Window Only) and select the checkbox for "Show icon preview".

I hope that's what you were after.
 
Originally posted by Schiffi
8) Help AOL develop a compatible video conference system with AIM so iChaters can conf with PC users
Click to expand...

-Schiffi

This is coming now that the FTC removed the antitrust limit on this last week from AOL.
 
Originally posted by vollspacken
"I WANT SPRING-LOADED FOLDERS IN THE DOCK!!! AAAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!"
Click to expand...
Indeed! Let's make the dock useful. Also, I don't want the trashcan to move when I want to trash a number of files. Imagine dropping 50 files in the dock, and manually removing them.
I know, holding down the Apple key while hovering over the dock makes the trashcan stay put, but if I wanted to use shortkeys I would have Apple-backspaced the files into eternity.. So when I'm lazy, using only one hand, I'd like to trashcan to stay put. Aight!?
 
Originally posted by afonso
by far...

multiple desktops for one user... please please PLEASE implement this...
Click to expand...
Apple won't do things that may be too difficult for new users.. As if their largest usergroup are newbies.. Steve, make your pro users happy! We shell out the big money.
 
Re: What do You want in Mac OSX that isn't there yet?

Originally posted by TEG
I was thinking about this reciently, but most other UN*X systems support several thing Mac OSX doesn't. I know some are comming with Panther, and some can be done via 3rd Parties, but I wan't to know.. What do You want in Mac OSX that isn't there yet?

My Top 5.
...
4) Allow for Unix Scripts to be executed from Finder (Great for some programs that require some special tag or info in the command line to run them)
...
Please Point out things that are comming, or things I just don't know how to do.

TEG
Click to expand...
If you name your unix shell script to be "script.command", it becomes runnable from the finder. What would be better would be to use ApplecScript instead. It's cleaner.
 
There are only 2 more things I want in OS X(that aren't being added in Panther). The the platinum sounds of OS 9, and the great speed of OS 9.
 
Some more things I came up with,

A Hypercard esque programing environment, that will write your "stack" as Java or Coca/Carbon with out you knowing any of the language.

I want IPX capability. Most games out there for multi-player use IPX, especally playing with PCs. Its quite embarassing when you have to boot into a different Operating System to play a game with some PC guys.

How about the standard UN*X format for Home Folder location /home/username not /Users/username. This would make cross platform UN*X stuff esier to use and cause less errors (If written by the unexperienced).

TEG
 
How about a simple way to see which tasks have control of which communications ports and be able to override them, if necessary?

I constantly find that giving the modem to the system ends up starting the modem and it rarely shuts off. The internal communications from/to 127.0.0.1 shouldn't do that.

After watching over big systems, it may seem that I'm paranoid, but I certainly don't want someone able to browse my system unless I ask for them to do so.
 
-springloaded folders in the dock
-springloaded folders to stay in a single window and navigate thru column view
-more theme color choices
-all app windows to come forward when clicking on one
-faster mouse tracking in sys prefs
-sounds
-naked girlie desktop pics at the often neglected 1920x1200 size
-more contextual menu options in the dock
-upgrade discount or cheaper new OS price. $130 is a tad much. go back to $99 rate because they charge for the iApps
-OS 9 style open save dialogs with path
-info on items are either on bottom or on the right. Ah fellows, our **** goes on the right, so we need an option for the info to be placed on the LEFT! we aren't using left aligned windows here!!
-finder window icons easier to change or replace as any other icon currently is
 
Originally posted by XnavxeMiyyep
There are only 2 more things I want in OS X(that aren't being added in Panther). The the platinum sounds of OS 9, and the great speed of OS 9.
Click to expand...

Panther has the speed of 9 and we have about half the sounds, so you should be 150% satisfied!
 
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