| '... Tiger seems alot more Windows like with the way it handles associations.' - most of us noticed the progression since the pre-release copy of MacOS X 10.0.0.
'Mac OS X seems to be unable to specify system wide icons.' - is incorrect. Default (non assigned custom) application, (non assigned custom) document, and folder icons will display default 'system wide' icons, as one example.
'Saving a native fireworks PNG file creates an icon that is a preview of the file, it's not possible to copy, delete or paste over this icon in the 'get info' window.' - you cannot remove the icon, resulting in the 'system default' document icon; however, yes, you can paste other icons on to it. Only after pasting an icon over the original icon, can one then delete that (new) icon, resulting in ... the 'system default' (dog eared) document icon.
'Even when saving a .PSD file from Photoshop CS, the resulting file is not bound to photoshop, the creator is set as Photoshop CS but the binding is <no application>.' - while that may be true at your location, with your Mac, it is not true elsewhere. Any 'Photoshop CS2' file that I have created, launches 'Photoshop CS2' when double clicked on.
I am referencing the above to MacOS X 10.2.8, 10.3.4, 10.3.8, 10.3.9, 10.4.0, 10.4.3, and 10.4.4. I doubt, although it is possible, that MacOS X 10.4.5 will change the above experiences. Besides, I am waiting for MacOS X 10.4.6 - and its fixes ... of all fixes ...  |