Mac OS X 'Leopard'-related Discussion

[.Neo]

So far I'm unimpressed by what I've seen of Leopard. They won't fix the Finder - I don't like the idea of Coverflow previews in the least. Most the 'new' features seem gimmicky. I'm not expecting a revolutionary new OS every 2 years but there are some flaws with OS X that they don't even seem to be addressing.

I'm therefore considering seriously not buying 10.5 and I'm really not even considering buying a new Mac. I'm probably going to install Linux on my iMac G5 and buying a Windows computer. It would genuinely be nice if there were more 'Windows' app makers making OS X apps but since that's not going to happen, I'm going back to Windows - though my Windows computer is not going to connect to the Internet! ;)

To a certain level I have to agree. Mac OS X Leopard isn't really that special. Sure it has some nice improvements and it has a fresh feel to it but there isn't much in there that will really change the way I work on my Mac. But then again, I don't think Windows Vista is that of a big deal compared to Windows XP either. It looks like both Apple and Microsoft have come to an impasse where they can't really fundamentally improve things without drastically change their operating systems and perhaps even the way we interact with computers.

Why you would want to install PPC Linux on your iMac instead of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger is completely beyond me though.

[.kvn]

I'm going back to Windows - though my Windows computer is not going to connect to the Internet! ;)

You're not happy with Tiger or impressed with Leopard, you have posted you'll probably install a Linux distro over your iMac and instead return to a Windows OS with no internet connection.

Am I missing something here? Is this supposed to be a good choice?

[LTD]

So far I'm unimpressed by what I've seen of Leopard. They won't fix the Finder - I don't like the idea of Coverflow previews in the least. Most the 'new' features seem gimmicky. I'm not expecting a revolutionary new OS every 2 years but there are some flaws with OS X that they don't even seem to be addressing.

I'm therefore considering seriously not buying 10.5 and I'm really not even considering buying a new Mac. I'm probably going to install Linux on my iMac G5 and buying a Windows computer. It would genuinely be nice if there were more 'Windows' app makers making OS X apps but since that's not going to happen, I'm going back to Windows - though my Windows computer is not going to connect to the Internet! ;)

"I'm going back to Windows." Did I read that right?

Looks like someone really wants to waste cpu cycles on antivirus software.

But I guess with enough lipstick, shiny surfaces and transparencies, even woefully lousy code can look attractive.

[DrunkenMaster]

You're not happy with Tiger or impressed with Leopard, you have posted you'll probably install a Linux distro over your iMac and instead return to a Windows OS with no internet connection.

Am I missing something here? Is this supposed to be a good choice?

Windows + no Internet is to avoid all the spyware and crapware. I like to do work on my computer without worrying that someone is going to take it. Ditto for financial software. It can still be connected to a network on occasion to download software. I don't see that being a problem.

@.Neo

I see PPC Linux as something that 'just works'. IBM's done a lot to get its PPC chips working on Linux kernel so I don't see it as a downgrade. True its the same with OS X. But running on my hardware with a Radeon 9600 and 1 Gig RAM, frankly, I'm not impressed with OS X. Typing long documents in Word and Pages is hard because the screen draws in OS X are bloody slow in both programs. I know Word was under is not fully Coco but I'm not paying for the next one. I've tried some smaller alternative word processors some freeware others payware and not impressed with OS X. The new Intel Macs seems to work it fine .... but I'm not buying another Mac.

@LTD - there are some specific apps I need for work and for furthering my career. They are Windows only apps. Guess which platform I'm going to need. And my iMac G5 won't run Windows well. Hmmmm. Nevermind that for a few of these apps, the Mac version is generally several builds behind (yes app maker responsible for that). This effects the quality of the work and the # of bugs in the program.

I could keep writing to justify but I'm stopping. Seems whenever someone buys a Mac everyone says congrats. But when someone moves away from Mac everyone asks ... are you insane? I'm not. I just have a change in priority and know what I need to get my work done.

[.Neo]

I see PPC Linux as something that 'just works'.

Interesting view.

From what I can tell you're nothing short of extremely demanding when it comes to Mac OS X, but you are completely willing to let that all go when it comes to Windows or Linux.

But hey if you have your reasons to switch to another system you should. That's what I did as well. :) Investing money in something you don't feel comfortable with is one of the worsts things one could do.

Edited September 2, 2007 by .Neo

[LTD]

Windows + no Internet is to avoid all the spyware and crapware. I like to do work on my computer without worrying that someone is going to take it. Ditto for financial software. It can still be connected to a network on occasion to download software. I don't see that being a problem.

@.Neo

I see PPC Linux as something that 'just works'. IBM's done a lot to get its PPC chips working on Linux kernel so I don't see it as a downgrade. True its the same with OS X. But running on my hardware with a Radeon 9600 and 1 Gig RAM, frankly, I'm not impressed with OS X. Typing long documents in Word and Pages is hard because the screen draws in OS X are bloody slow in both programs. I know Word was under is not fully Coco but I'm not paying for the next one. I've tried some smaller alternative word processors some freeware others payware and not impressed with OS X. The new Intel Macs seems to work it fine .... but I'm not buying another Mac.

@LTD - there are some specific apps I need for work and for furthering my career. They are Windows only apps. Guess which platform I'm going to need. And my iMac G5 won't run Windows well. Hmmmm. Nevermind that for a few of these apps, the Mac version is generally several builds behind (yes app maker responsible for that). This effects the quality of the work and the # of bugs in the program.

I could keep writing to justify but I'm stopping. Seems whenever someone buys a Mac everyone says congrats. But when someone moves away from Mac everyone asks ... are you insane? I'm not. I just have a change in priority and know what I need to get my work done.

OK, I get most of that - makes sense.

I use a Windows PC at work as well. In fact, the software we run is industry-related and Windows-specific (accounts recovery software called ACE), so obviously. And I do understand that some people need particular Windows apps at home as well. But for everything else, and there's *alot* of "else", why choose Windows? I use Windwos because I have to. I'm forced to do it at work. I come home to my Mac where, incidentally, I feel most productive in terms of getting the most out of a computer. I'd say buy an Intel-based mac and you'll have a system that has greater shelf life and usability than anything else out there. But you don't seem to be motivated to do so. You don't think it's worth the money in terms of what you'll use it for. I can understand that, I suppose.

You're a computer *user*, and not really a platform afficionado. You've got your reasons. In fact, it's kind of good that you don't mind switching from system to system. If you're equally comfortable in Windows as you are (were) in OS X, and perhaps in Linux, then more power to you. Fair enough.

[.Neo]

Can someone with Leopard and InDesign tell me if Quick Look can preview INDD files please.

I just tried it for you, and no, currently Quick Look won't preview INDD files. Either Apple or Adobe will probably (and hopefully) release a CS3 Quick Look plugin once Leopard hits GM.

Viewing already supported files, especially documents be it from Word, Pages or simply .rtf, isn't exactly picture perfect either.

Edited September 2, 2007 by .Neo

[PyX]

He's clearly not using Mac OS X Leopard.

Exactly. But my point was, it would be nicer if the default view in Leopard would make the styles bar lighter than the main bar.

[.Neo]

Exactly. But my point was, it would be nicer if the default view in Leopard would make the styles bar lighter than the main bar.

Can't say I agree. Other applications, like Safari, don't look that way either.

[Quillz]

To a certain level I have to agree. Mac OS X Leopard isn't really that special. Sure it has some nice improvements and it has a fresh feel to it but there isn't much in there that will really change the way I work on my Mac. But then again, I don't think Windows Vista is that of a big deal compared to Windows XP either. It looks like both Apple and Microsoft have come to an impasse where they can't really fundamentally improve things without drastically change their operating systems and perhaps even the way we interact with computers.

Why you would want to install PPC Linux on your iMac instead of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger is completely beyond me though.

Both Leopard and Vista have included major improvements under the hood. In a way, having new user interfaces are sort of a "bonus." Vista, for example, uses a radically improved kernel based on Server 2003, but you'd never know this as it's not something you can see. The same thing with Leopard. The kernel has been improved a bit, as it's not true Unix, and it features improved networking, especially with other PCs.

[CPressland]

I agree that there isnt anything major added to OS 10.5 but thats for the same reason that people dont see the major improvements in Vista.

99% of the work is under the hood

50% of the improvements are only noticeable on powerful machines.

Vista has a Major work under the hood, too boring to go into but OS 10.5 is more then likely the same.

Some things to need to be added, like having a built in uninstallation application. It's a real pain to have to download the Parallels Trail just to uninstall Parallels from my system.

but I really believe that OS X will make a sudden change for the better (like Vista RC1-RC2) we'll get a sudden improvement about two weeks before the launch, then after a few months Leopard will become more stable and powerful then tiger.

[PyX]

Well, I didn't really mean to make that style universal, but yeah, since Leopard has a constant UI, it would be obvious that other apps look the same... So I tried to wok a little bit on Safari, the result isn't all that ugly IMO, I really like it :

[Menge]

Well, I didn't really mean to make that style universal, but yeah, since Leopard has a constant UI, it would be obvious that other apps look the same... So I tried to wok a little bit on Safari, the result isn't all that ugly IMO, I really like it :

hey i quite like that! :D i think it looks MUCH better than the current brushed metal look :)

[CPressland]

Yeah that was the sole reason I installed Uno, to get rid of the brushed metal look

[.Neo]

Both Leopard and Vista have included major improvements under the hood. In a way, having new user interfaces are sort of a "bonus." Vista, for example, uses a radically improved kernel based on Server 2003, but you'd never know this as it's not something you can see. The same thing with Leopard. The kernel has been improved a bit, as it's not true Unix, and it features improved networking, especially with other PCs.

Mac OS X Leopard on Intel is true UNIX. Apple got the official certificate for it.

Overall the amount of end-users features of Mac OS X Leopard are a bit disappointing. Doesn't matter how you twist it, regular people won't cough up ?129 (or in Windows Vista's case ?300+) because the OS received a bunch of under-the-hood changes.

[Toxikk Veteran]

there are lots of reasons that i cannot wait for this release. mostly, time machine, spaces, and a fully unified UI. i will be sure to snag this as soon as i can get my paws on it!!

[giga Veteran]

there are lots of reasons that i cannot wait for this release. mostly, time machine, spaces, and a fully unified UI. i will be sure to snag this as soon as i can get my paws on it!!

Wow you're alive. :|

[Toxikk Veteran]

i sure am. in the flesh. well, kinda.

you seem surprised :p

[.Neo]

there are lots of reasons that i cannot wait for this release. mostly, time machine, spaces, and a fully unified UI. i will be sure to snag this as soon as i can get my paws on it!!

Like always going back to the previous Mac OS X version, in this case 10.4 Tiger, is a bit of a pain. No doubt about that! :D

The UI looks very clean now compared to Tiger, starting to love the new Menu Bar as well:

[Toxikk Veteran]

that new dock looks super sweet. and the coverflow view is money!

[.kvn]

The more I see of Leopard the more I like it. I've tried an earlier build which was impressive but had the transparent menu bar. But these screenshots and others posted around of the current developers release just keep getting better.

Roll on October

[instant.human]

is coverflow really that useful?

i dont use it in itunes (some of the songs i have dont have an album art, too local, too whatever, so no need) and yea im not sure wheather it really makes sense... even in pictures-folders i highly doubt it. i prefare the thumbnail-view...

what are your experiences?

[Spielo]

Coverflow is occasionally useful, but not something you'll use all the time. Quick Look is the feature that I've found to be much more useful than I was expecting.

[.Neo]

Coverflow is occasionally useful, but not something you'll use all the time. Quick Look is the feature that I've found to be much more useful than I was expecting.

I agree. I prefer Quick Look over Cover Flow.

[.kvn]

I like CoverFlow when viewing photos but only if you drag out the viewing display of the Finder window. I also like the playback of videos but Quick Look is the preferred app here too. It is so useful.