Here's as good a place as any for me to go off I guess. I have my views, and I of course think I am right. Here's what I'd change about Apple's OS, Hardware, and developers, if I was omnipotent or something...
Hardware:
- 3rd IDE bus inside the box, SCSI has little benefit anymore, except that I have reason for 2 CD drives and 3 HD's. IDE busses are cheap.
- second space needs to be 5.25" if it isn't already. Having no 5.25 expandability in the box is kinda short sighted in pro models.
- flat top to computer. I like the QuickSilver look, but the flat top is practical. Could that handle be removed or folded to allow flat top Pro macs?
- bring back the solid state mac. The cube was a sweet idea, but aimed at the wrong market. I wanted it for audio use because it had no moving parts. (If you take out the drive and netboot) Could make server racks like that too if you tried, less moving parts means greater reliability. I miss the solid state mac, but I admit it's a small loss.
OS:
- ftp disk mounting like AFP and SMB. That's where it needs to be. Browsing via SMB would be nice too
- software raid 5, they have 1 and 0, 5 would be really useful for reliable storage when throughput can be sacrificed. You don't need to boot from it.
- Maintenance phages, tiny processes defragging the OS while you use it if the files are stagnant, finding and correcting failed aliases, icons, etc.
- RAM only .DS_Store, don't put that wretched file on remote machines, that's rude. Locally it might be a selectable Finder Option.
- Window buttons (x - +) should display marks when not selected, again, hiding information here is not benefitting anyone. Let the bubbles note the highlight. And alter the spacing of the buttons, more space between x and -, and the 9 symbols were far more meaningful, think about those.
- Aliases need to also create symlinks. AFP FTP schizophrenia is annoying. Aliases are better, but why can't they also be traversed as symlinks by the BSD layer?
- Finder displays filename extensions by default, lying to the user makes them dumber, be honest. Display any text that qualifies as an extension in a notable way (smaller) but show it. command line GUI schizophrenia is bad. This philosophy includes .app - don't lie.
- Finder needs better caching and threading. folders should display INSTANTLY from their cache, then update quickly. Preview needs to be a non-blocking background thread. It's good, don't turn it off, but don't let it interfere with navigation.
Developers:
- I'm glad we're encouraging developers of the homegrown variety, but theiy're missing the value added idea of IP on the mac. Encourage freeware, hold contests with cash or prizes only available to freeware. Apple has done its part, it's tiring to see home developers trying to cash in on other people's good intentions now.
- Toss a CD of good freeware and maybe shareware out alongside the OS. CD's are cheap, give the developers a sense of accomplishment while adding value to the Mac OS distro.
Hardware:
- 3rd IDE bus inside the box, SCSI has little benefit anymore, except that I have reason for 2 CD drives and 3 HD's. IDE busses are cheap.
- second space needs to be 5.25" if it isn't already. Having no 5.25 expandability in the box is kinda short sighted in pro models.
- flat top to computer. I like the QuickSilver look, but the flat top is practical. Could that handle be removed or folded to allow flat top Pro macs?
- bring back the solid state mac. The cube was a sweet idea, but aimed at the wrong market. I wanted it for audio use because it had no moving parts. (If you take out the drive and netboot) Could make server racks like that too if you tried, less moving parts means greater reliability. I miss the solid state mac, but I admit it's a small loss.
OS:
- ftp disk mounting like AFP and SMB. That's where it needs to be. Browsing via SMB would be nice too
- software raid 5, they have 1 and 0, 5 would be really useful for reliable storage when throughput can be sacrificed. You don't need to boot from it.
- Maintenance phages, tiny processes defragging the OS while you use it if the files are stagnant, finding and correcting failed aliases, icons, etc.
- RAM only .DS_Store, don't put that wretched file on remote machines, that's rude. Locally it might be a selectable Finder Option.
- Window buttons (x - +) should display marks when not selected, again, hiding information here is not benefitting anyone. Let the bubbles note the highlight. And alter the spacing of the buttons, more space between x and -, and the 9 symbols were far more meaningful, think about those.
- Aliases need to also create symlinks. AFP FTP schizophrenia is annoying. Aliases are better, but why can't they also be traversed as symlinks by the BSD layer?
- Finder displays filename extensions by default, lying to the user makes them dumber, be honest. Display any text that qualifies as an extension in a notable way (smaller) but show it. command line GUI schizophrenia is bad. This philosophy includes .app - don't lie.
- Finder needs better caching and threading. folders should display INSTANTLY from their cache, then update quickly. Preview needs to be a non-blocking background thread. It's good, don't turn it off, but don't let it interfere with navigation.
Developers:
- I'm glad we're encouraging developers of the homegrown variety, but theiy're missing the value added idea of IP on the mac. Encourage freeware, hold contests with cash or prizes only available to freeware. Apple has done its part, it's tiring to see home developers trying to cash in on other people's good intentions now.
- Toss a CD of good freeware and maybe shareware out alongside the OS. CD's are cheap, give the developers a sense of accomplishment while adding value to the Mac OS distro.
