Brushed metal initiative

[theNonsuch]

I recently installed my first theme, and haven't had any problems. I used ThemeChanger 0.5 to install the theme Aqua Extreme, which looks almost exactly like the new toned down Aqua look in Panther.

It's really nice - much more subtle and softer on the eyes than the Jaguar version of Aqua.

[phatcactus]

Originally posted by arden
What else is a theme in an OS? What are all the themes made for Kaleidoscope besides simply hacks of Platinum, or whatever <=7.6's GUI is called? I don't see any of these themes pasting new code over Apple's existing code.

Kaleidoscope offered much more than simply new graphics over the Platinum layout.

http://kaleidoscope.net/schemes/schemespotlight.shtml

Pretty! (well, some of 'em.)

[BBenve]

just to clarify someone s else post before FINDER IS COCOA NOW

[fryke]

It doesn't matter whether the Finder is Cocoa or not in Panther. It doesn't contain the Interface Builder files for the stuff that is Brushed Metal in Finder.

Fact is: Apple wants the Finder to be Brushed Metal, and the hack won't work with the Finder. Maybe someone will find a way, but up until now, there is none to make the Panther Finder look Aqua (or new Aqua, rather).

So: The question about choice is legit. However, as has been said, Apple doesn't seem keen to give that choice to the user.

It's a pity, because the 'new Aqua' is a really professional looking theme I can work with. BM in Finder makes me avoid it, which it obviously shouldn't, because the Finder is an integral part of my workflow.

[theNonsuch]

It's a pity, because the 'new Aqua' is a really professional looking theme I can work with. BM in Finder makes me avoid it, which it obviously shouldn't, because the Finder is an integral part of my workflow.

I agree - I really like the toned down aqua a LOT. It's much less garish and "in-your-face".

For me, I've been using Path Finder as my Finder for ages, so the BM finder isn't the end of the world... but I really wish Apple would stop forcing basic UI decisions on users - if they had used the textured window preference in Interface builder like everyone else, they could have at least given power-users an "out".

Again, that's why I started this initiative. Who knows - Apple sometimes listens to their users.

[griz]

When is Apple going to learn that The Function of an OS is not defined by the look.
The visual aspects of the OS should all be customizable so that each user can create their own experience. Afterall, you already bought the OS, you must be a user, why now give that user choice so they can add their own personaity into the look of the OS. Noone wants to live in a house which is painted by the realestate company to look like their company colors.
I for one like Brushed Metal, but would also like the option to change it.

[theNonsuch]

I hate to sound like a weiner-necked businessman, but... "it's all about the branding".

Apple has grabbed onto branding with both hands recently, and are seemingly convinced that the aqua / brushed metal look is part of their overall branding strategy. They want people, when they see either the brushed metal or the aqua interface, to think "Apple".

I guess with OS 9 and earlier, part of their branding strategy was that you could make the OS look the way you wanted (I mean, they included appearances, for goodness sakes)... but along the line I guess someone decided that it was more valuable for them to have an immovable look.

I think this makes perfect business sense, and normally I wouldn't complain as much if Apple followed their own rules (read: Aqua Human Interface Guidelines)... but the seemingly random implementation of brushed metal, toolbars (why is the Safari toolbar not a "true" toolbar?), and other niggling details tells me that all bets are off.

If Apple isn't going to eat their own dog food, they should at least give users the ability to do so.

[vrapan]

I sympatasize with all of you about the fact that at Apple they seem to change the look of OS X more often than their t-shirts but I would hate right now to see one more programming hour spent on yet another looks tweaking. I would say let them release a fast responsive mature OS in Panther and the looks tweaking can wait for a patch or a future update. It does not bother me nearly as much as the slow respnsiveness of it.