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{quote:title=Re: Nanotube}When I wanted to buy a digital camera a year ago, I had to check if the model I wanted was compatible with the Mac. This check does not exist with regards to windows. You know it will work.{quote}
Your comment above sent off alarms such as... "He doesn't really use a Mac", or "He doesn't know what the heck he's talking about... Not with a statement like this!".
I think anyone with the slightest bit of knowledge of a Mac and digital photography and/or digital video will know the Mac recognizes 99.99% of all cameras out there. I have never, once, since digital cameras have been sold, thought of checking for "Mac compatibility". I have plugged in countless digital still and video cameras at home and work and have had zero issues.
Employees working specifically on Windows machines have come to our department to get their pictures downloaded in the past due to special software needing to be installed in order to download their images in Windows XP! The cameras are part of pool that each department has. There are multiple cameras and multiple employees on multiple machines needing to use and download photos taken from these cameras. The fact that employees are required to install special software (drivers) to download photos from the camera is ludicrous!
I have never had to install a driver or specialized software to download photos from any camera. Many times there is a Mac/PC disk with software for managing or manipulating images included when purchasing a camera, but that is a different story. The Mac recognizes the make and model camera I'm connecting without the need to install drivers.
18 Features Windows Should Have (but Doesn't)
MultiQuote
#82
jvalidazion 
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Posted 30 April 2008 - 08:51 PM
> You fail again. Exposé is OPTIONAL. You can just click the application icon in the dock to change the current active application, which also changes the menu ribbon to the active application's file/edit/view set.
This amazing feature isn't default? What a surprise. No wonder I never knew about it.
> Finder is the OS X version of explorer.exe, so you fail.
Yeah, I know that. I've used Leopard. It's used on some development boxes I have access to and I develop on them all the time. I guess my useless mind doesn't understand how I fail just because the Finder is to OS X what Explorer is to Windows.
> When you mouseover the close/minimize/maximize colors, symbols appear on them, an x on the red, a - on the yellow, and a + on the green. The maximize adjusts the window's size to it's content.
Again, I know. My point was that if I want a window to take up the whole screen, I have to drag stuff around and it's a major pain. And it won't go over the gigantic dock (which takes up like half the screen unless you make it be smallar).
> Now, you saw in the picture I had an IM to respond to. Well, when I responded to that, I didn't use Exposé. I just clicked the icon with the red notification on it, and it was brought to the front for me.
Actually, I didn't. The stuff in the picture is too small to see. I was just using that as an example because I was talking to a friend at the time and it seemed like a good example.
> So, Hang on one sec... I need to respond to an IM, and I can tell because in the dock, on the Adium (IM) icon, there's a small red circle with a number depicting how many unread IMs I have! OH LOOK! It can also tell me who has IM'd me! Okay, let's respond. Click Adium icon. Type. Click. OK I'm back.
No no! You forgot to take your glasses off! You won't need those here. That's not 8x8! That's much larger, and it says "Judy - Conversation" on it. That's how I knew whose IM it was.Anyway, this functionality is not a functionality of Leopard or OS X or whatever you're using. It's Adium's feature to notify you this way. Third-party software is generally meant to replace or enhance some part of the OS that has something to be desired. Like iChat.
This amazing feature isn't default? What a surprise. No wonder I never knew about it.
> Finder is the OS X version of explorer.exe, so you fail.
Yeah, I know that. I've used Leopard. It's used on some development boxes I have access to and I develop on them all the time. I guess my useless mind doesn't understand how I fail just because the Finder is to OS X what Explorer is to Windows.
> When you mouseover the close/minimize/maximize colors, symbols appear on them, an x on the red, a - on the yellow, and a + on the green. The maximize adjusts the window's size to it's content.
Again, I know. My point was that if I want a window to take up the whole screen, I have to drag stuff around and it's a major pain. And it won't go over the gigantic dock (which takes up like half the screen unless you make it be smallar).
> Now, you saw in the picture I had an IM to respond to. Well, when I responded to that, I didn't use Exposé. I just clicked the icon with the red notification on it, and it was brought to the front for me.
Actually, I didn't. The stuff in the picture is too small to see. I was just using that as an example because I was talking to a friend at the time and it seemed like a good example.
> So, Hang on one sec... I need to respond to an IM, and I can tell because in the dock, on the Adium (IM) icon, there's a small red circle with a number depicting how many unread IMs I have! OH LOOK! It can also tell me who has IM'd me! Okay, let's respond. Click Adium icon. Type. Click. OK I'm back.
No no! You forgot to take your glasses off! You won't need those here. That's not 8x8! That's much larger, and it says "Judy - Conversation" on it. That's how I knew whose IM it was.Anyway, this functionality is not a functionality of Leopard or OS X or whatever you're using. It's Adium's feature to notify you this way. Third-party software is generally meant to replace or enhance some part of the OS that has something to be desired. Like iChat.
#83
davecrapper
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Posted 30 April 2008 - 10:29 PM
2. Virtual Workspaces
A.k.a, virtual desktops. Virtual desktops have been around a long, long time. Since Windows 3.1, I think. You either love them or hate them. I hate them. I'd rather have my balls mauled by a bear than use virtual desktops. Again, I like to organize my apps on the taskbar and then use my apps full screen.
But if you like virtual desktops, bully for you. Whatever floats your boat. I wouldn't want virtual desktops built into the OS though. It's better as a third-party add-on. That way, you get choices. If the virtual desktop is built into the OS, then you're stuck with what the OS gives you. With third-party software, you can try several and pick the arbitrary one that suits you best.
The article makes a big deal about having to download these third-party apps. Come on! Today downloading is like breathing. We routinely download emails, videos, torrents, mp3s, etc. Downloading is the easiest thing in the world and it's part of our culture now.
Perhaps a better feature would be this. Copy anything to the clipboard (a screenshot, a file, html, whatever). If you try to paste it to the desktop, a file is created based on the contents of the clipboard. Pasting a screenshot creates an image file (in whatever format you pick as default). Pasting plain text creates a text file. Pasting colored text or text and images creates an html file or a jar/zip file containing an html file and images.
7. No more Raster!
We should move away from using raster images for icons, thumbnails, and buttons. All such images should be scalable vector graphics or SVG files.
8. Full process transparency
Task manager should show every process running on the system. There should be absolutely no software running on the system that does not appear as a process in task manager.
9. Full process path
Task manager should show the full absolute path of the assembly running, not just the filename.
10. Accurate memory usage
If Windows reports that 2.3 GB of my RAM are in use, then I should be able to get that exact total by adding up all the memory used by the processes listed in task manager. Currently they are off by over 100%.
A.k.a, virtual desktops. Virtual desktops have been around a long, long time. Since Windows 3.1, I think. You either love them or hate them. I hate them. I'd rather have my balls mauled by a bear than use virtual desktops. Again, I like to organize my apps on the taskbar and then use my apps full screen.
But if you like virtual desktops, bully for you. Whatever floats your boat. I wouldn't want virtual desktops built into the OS though. It's better as a third-party add-on. That way, you get choices. If the virtual desktop is built into the OS, then you're stuck with what the OS gives you. With third-party software, you can try several and pick the arbitrary one that suits you best.
The article makes a big deal about having to download these third-party apps. Come on! Today downloading is like breathing. We routinely download emails, videos, torrents, mp3s, etc. Downloading is the easiest thing in the world and it's part of our culture now.
Perhaps a better feature would be this. Copy anything to the clipboard (a screenshot, a file, html, whatever). If you try to paste it to the desktop, a file is created based on the contents of the clipboard. Pasting a screenshot creates an image file (in whatever format you pick as default). Pasting plain text creates a text file. Pasting colored text or text and images creates an html file or a jar/zip file containing an html file and images.
7. No more Raster!
We should move away from using raster images for icons, thumbnails, and buttons. All such images should be scalable vector graphics or SVG files.
8. Full process transparency
Task manager should show every process running on the system. There should be absolutely no software running on the system that does not appear as a process in task manager.
9. Full process path
Task manager should show the full absolute path of the assembly running, not just the filename.
10. Accurate memory usage
If Windows reports that 2.3 GB of my RAM are in use, then I should be able to get that exact total by adding up all the memory used by the processes listed in task manager. Currently they are off by over 100%.
#84
jvalidazion
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Posted 30 April 2008 - 11:13 PM
Quote
Task manager should show every process running on the system. There should be absolutely no software running on the system that does not appear as a process in Task Manager.
It does show all the parent processes that your user has permission to see... the stuff it doesn't show to you are the running DLL files on the system. You can use System Information if you want to see the DLL files (there are a lot that are loaded by the running processes). Most users would probably be overwhelmed by the mass of information.
You can also use Process Explorer for this. http://technet.micro...s/bb896653.aspx
You can also use Process Explorer for CtrlAltDelete, replacing Windows Task-Manager with it. "Select Replace Task Manager" under Options in Process Explorer.
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Task manager should show the full absolute path of the assembly running, not just the filename.
Again, this would overwhelm most users. Use Process Explorer or System Information for this....
Quote
If Windows reports that 2.3 GB of my RAM are in use, then I should be able to get that exact total by adding up all the memory used by the processes listed in task manager. Currently they are off by over 100%.
This has to do with the page file and memory sharing. See http://shsc.info/Win...emoryManagement for more information.
#85
mateus109
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Posted 01 May 2008 - 12:02 AM
Expose for Windows....
http://www.microsoft...tantviewer.mspx
Not had chance to use it but Instant Viewer looks just like Expose!
http://www.microsoft...tantviewer.mspx
Not had chance to use it but Instant Viewer looks just like Expose!
#86
sssbbb
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Posted 01 May 2008 - 05:17 AM
Apple implemented a workaround by building a monstrous storm of fanboys who believe things that are untrue. OS X was the first to fall in a recent hacking competition by the way of a bug in Safari : http://www.channelre...03/28/mac_hack/
#87
rschallack
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Posted 01 May 2008 - 12:49 PM
Not every version of windows has IIS. In addition, the version included will run for only one IP and you can't do virtual sites (this is pre-Vista). You need to purchase the server version of Windows to get the IIS that has comparable power with Apache.
#89
jhartzell42
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 06:26 AM
Expose and the ability to remotely browse your files both come with Ubuntu. The "remotely browse your files" things is non-obvious but rather easy. I use them both regularly on my computer, and I installed no extra software. Do your research! Grr...
You do also realize that Mac applications are folders, not files! Which is why you can't just "save" an application file to the desktop but have to do the clunky disk-image thing.
You do also realize that Mac applications are folders, not files! Which is why you can't just "save" an application file to the desktop but have to do the clunky disk-image thing.
#90
smurfman
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 06:52 AM
{quote}You do also realize that Mac applications are folders, not files! Which is why you can't just "save" an application file to the desktop but have to do the clunky disk-image thing.{quote}
I'm not quite sure what you mean. What does the disk-image have to do with it? the disk-image is either used as a transport mechanism or, as I've seen it, for archival of Applications. Please elaborate.
An application on the Mac can be moved or copied to any location and work perfectly (be it a folder or file). I actually keep many applications backed up to a server where I can access, move or copy from/to any other machine. Each of those machines need to have a license (if a license is required) but many Mac applications act as a single file. Some actually are single files while others are a "packages". The "package" looks and feels like a single file but you can right-click on the application to "Show Package Contents" allowing the user to access the "invisible" files if needed. Applications, like the Adobe Suite, are in folders but those folders can be copied/moved anywhere on the machine.
I love the flexibility of being able to move or organize applications however you desire. Very few applications store files outside of their "package" and into the Application Support folder. Not sure what the need is to do it that way since 99% of all applications I have keeps things to one file, one folder or one package. The quality of the developer, I believe, matters a great deal in these cases.
I'm not quite sure what you mean. What does the disk-image have to do with it? the disk-image is either used as a transport mechanism or, as I've seen it, for archival of Applications. Please elaborate.
An application on the Mac can be moved or copied to any location and work perfectly (be it a folder or file). I actually keep many applications backed up to a server where I can access, move or copy from/to any other machine. Each of those machines need to have a license (if a license is required) but many Mac applications act as a single file. Some actually are single files while others are a "packages". The "package" looks and feels like a single file but you can right-click on the application to "Show Package Contents" allowing the user to access the "invisible" files if needed. Applications, like the Adobe Suite, are in folders but those folders can be copied/moved anywhere on the machine.
I love the flexibility of being able to move or organize applications however you desire. Very few applications store files outside of their "package" and into the Application Support folder. Not sure what the need is to do it that way since 99% of all applications I have keeps things to one file, one folder or one package. The quality of the developer, I believe, matters a great deal in these cases.
#91
crayzeewulf
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 07:18 AM
mscrivo said:
Are you kidding me? "Windows doesn't have any kind of built in web server" ... have you never heard of IIS? Has been bundled with all versions of windows since Windows 2000 I believe.
Not really. You have to have specific versions of Windows (Windows XP Professional, for example). See:
http://support.micro...kb/224609/en-us
support.microsoft.com/kb/304197
#92
rodolfodc
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 08:23 AM
This is the WORST article I've read in PC World. This guy is a newbie in Windows OS. Most of these features are there, but he does not know or care to investigate.
-Time Machine?? it is a fancy name for a feature that has been there in Windows for many many years.
-Not a buil-in Web Server?? no comments.. I rest my case.
Please PC World never let this guy to write any article again.
-Time Machine?? it is a fancy name for a feature that has been there in Windows for many many years.
-Not a buil-in Web Server?? no comments.. I rest my case.
Please PC World never let this guy to write any article again.
#94
dpt308
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 04:40 PM
oh really, than please tell me why my mac mini locks up when ever I try to import a cd into itunes, after installing leopard(a clean instal mind you). is this because leopard is not as great as apple would have you think? I also have Vista and its been running great.(and that was an upgrade) its like coke and pepsi all over again and they are stil both around.......
#95
smurfman
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 07:51 PM
{quote}oh really, than please tell me why my mac mini locks up when ever I try to import a cd into itunes{quote}
That's not typical dude... you probably have a lemon Mac Mini. Which model is the Mac Mini? Recent or 1-2 years old?
That's not typical dude... you probably have a lemon Mac Mini. Which model is the Mac Mini? Recent or 1-2 years old?
#96
Dermatea
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 09:51 PM
"Windows doesn't have a plethora of built-in features!" That's just about the oldest piece of info I've ever heard. Who gives a damn about built-in features when full-featured apps provide better functionality than any built-in feature ever could? "Expose", "Virtual Workspaces", and "Desktop Cube"? Please, one word: CubeDesktop: http://www.cubedesktop.com/ It gets you six virtual desk spaces and can be more than
just a "cube". Plus, its "Window Exposer effect" is essentially the same as Expose.
ISO Burning? Has no one ever heard of ImgBurn?! http://www.imgburn.com/
It burns CD, DVD, HD DVD, Blu-ray, you name it. Yes, it's 100% free and provides more functionality than any built-in function in any OS.
Standardized Menu Ribbon? I thank God every day that Windows doesn't have this "feature". I actually find it very annoying, and difficult to get used to.
just a "cube". Plus, its "Window Exposer effect" is essentially the same as Expose.
ISO Burning? Has no one ever heard of ImgBurn?! http://www.imgburn.com/
It burns CD, DVD, HD DVD, Blu-ray, you name it. Yes, it's 100% free and provides more functionality than any built-in function in any OS.
Standardized Menu Ribbon? I thank God every day that Windows doesn't have this "feature". I actually find it very annoying, and difficult to get used to.
#97
Runningflame570
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 09:51 PM
There are those of us who consider 1-2 years old recent, maybe not you but most of us. Also the more likely scenario is software, not hardware, aside from issues with heat I've virtually never heard of hardware causing hard freezes like that (only while doing one specific thing).
#98
pantera9
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Posted 03 May 2008 - 02:52 AM
1. Expose: Switcher
2. Virtual desktops: codeplex.com/vdm
3. Back to my Mac: Remote Desktop Connection?
4. Screen sharing: meeting space, remote assistance
5. Time machine: Shadow Copy
6. ISO Burning: Server 2003 Resource Kit -> cdburn.exe/dvdburn.exe
7. Stickies: Gadget notes, Stikynot (type this in startmenu)
8. Podcast: Shoutcast?
9. Software Repositories: true, though someone is making a windows repository somewhere on the net I've read.
10. Desktop cube: I would like to see this aswell. Meanwhile, we have Yodm, cubedesktop..
11. Application dock: not really useful, but objectdock
12. Automated Screen Shots: Snipping Tool with Task Scheduler?
13. Multitouch Trackpad Gestures: who cares?
14. Cover flow: agreed.
15. Pre-Installed Web Server: IIS
16. POSIX Compliance: Cygwin, Subsystem for Unix-based Applications
17. Standardized Menu Ribbon: only a mac fanboy would suggest this stupid feature for windows.
18. Single-File Applications: Thousands for win32 already
2. Virtual desktops: codeplex.com/vdm
3. Back to my Mac: Remote Desktop Connection?
4. Screen sharing: meeting space, remote assistance
5. Time machine: Shadow Copy
6. ISO Burning: Server 2003 Resource Kit -> cdburn.exe/dvdburn.exe
7. Stickies: Gadget notes, Stikynot (type this in startmenu)
8. Podcast: Shoutcast?
9. Software Repositories: true, though someone is making a windows repository somewhere on the net I've read.
10. Desktop cube: I would like to see this aswell. Meanwhile, we have Yodm, cubedesktop..
11. Application dock: not really useful, but objectdock
12. Automated Screen Shots: Snipping Tool with Task Scheduler?
13. Multitouch Trackpad Gestures: who cares?
14. Cover flow: agreed.
15. Pre-Installed Web Server: IIS
16. POSIX Compliance: Cygwin, Subsystem for Unix-based Applications
17. Standardized Menu Ribbon: only a mac fanboy would suggest this stupid feature for windows.
18. Single-File Applications: Thousands for win32 already
#100
zero08
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Posted 03 May 2008 - 07:42 AM
NuonSoft's ShellEnhancer Freeware provides two features I miss on any windows version (since 3.11) much more:
- always on top button for all windows
- moving/resizing windows with ALT
additionally it has two cool taskswitcher alternatives.. together with the Sysinternals Suite and the shell tools from the GnuWin32 project, and after having turned off all this Luna nastiness with XPY tool, windows can be converted into something actually providing basic operating system capabilities..
How M$ has the nuts to call XP professional is beyond my limited horizon but each itch deserves a scratch.
- always on top button for all windows
- moving/resizing windows with ALT
additionally it has two cool taskswitcher alternatives.. together with the Sysinternals Suite and the shell tools from the GnuWin32 project, and after having turned off all this Luna nastiness with XPY tool, windows can be converted into something actually providing basic operating system capabilities..
How M$ has the nuts to call XP professional is beyond my limited horizon but each itch deserves a scratch.
