Merging Windows and OS X
I just had an interesting thought. Many people would like to use some Windows programs while running OS X. Since Windows and OS X will be running native on the same computer, some company will try to make them interoperate as much as possible. I'm wondering how much can be done. I realize that they are two completely separate pieces of software.
The first thing that needs to be done is cut and paste. It would be great if you could cut and paste between the two OSes. For example, a lot of switchers would buy a Mac just to use the internet without security problems. But what happens when you find what you are looking for in Safari and then want to past it into your Windows version of Quicken or Photoshop? OS X is much less useful to switchers if they can't transfer from the Mac internet to their Windows environment.
Here's what I would like be able to do so I could learn to do programming for Windows using Windows tools, but use the Mac whenever possible:
- In Windows, instead of using My Computer to open files and folders, I could use the Mac Finder. This might sound crazy but I think it's doable. Remember, Windows files will be on the same hard drive in the same hierarchical structure. When a user double clicks My Computer in Windows, the message is intercepted by the software and runs a script in OS X that opens a Finder browser window and lets you choose a file. The name of the file is then sent to Windows and that file is opened.
along those lines
- You could use System Preferences and Apple Menu Bar items in Windows instead of Windows Control Panel. This is possible because the choices Apple gives you are a more basic subset of what Windows gives you. After the user clicked their choice in System Preferences, the software would just map that change to Windows.
- You could run OS X and Windows on the same screen and send Windows windows down into the dock. You could have the Start menu if you wanted to but more likely just leave it off and pick Windows programs through the Finder
- You could have the stupid Windows notification icons below or above the Dock but more likely you would just leave them off.
In general the goal would be that you could do Windows work with that one major Windows app you needed, but use the Mac UI, and Safari, OmniOutliner, Preview, Quicktime, iCal, etc. at the same time for all the supporting stuff.
The first thing that needs to be done is cut and paste. It would be great if you could cut and paste between the two OSes. For example, a lot of switchers would buy a Mac just to use the internet without security problems. But what happens when you find what you are looking for in Safari and then want to past it into your Windows version of Quicken or Photoshop? OS X is much less useful to switchers if they can't transfer from the Mac internet to their Windows environment.
Here's what I would like be able to do so I could learn to do programming for Windows using Windows tools, but use the Mac whenever possible:
- In Windows, instead of using My Computer to open files and folders, I could use the Mac Finder. This might sound crazy but I think it's doable. Remember, Windows files will be on the same hard drive in the same hierarchical structure. When a user double clicks My Computer in Windows, the message is intercepted by the software and runs a script in OS X that opens a Finder browser window and lets you choose a file. The name of the file is then sent to Windows and that file is opened.
along those lines
- You could use System Preferences and Apple Menu Bar items in Windows instead of Windows Control Panel. This is possible because the choices Apple gives you are a more basic subset of what Windows gives you. After the user clicked their choice in System Preferences, the software would just map that change to Windows.
- You could run OS X and Windows on the same screen and send Windows windows down into the dock. You could have the Start menu if you wanted to but more likely just leave it off and pick Windows programs through the Finder
- You could have the stupid Windows notification icons below or above the Dock but more likely you would just leave them off.
In general the goal would be that you could do Windows work with that one major Windows app you needed, but use the Mac UI, and Safari, OmniOutliner, Preview, Quicktime, iCal, etc. at the same time for all the supporting stuff.
Comments
But I think you have outlined a good wishlist there, question is who's best interest is it in for this to happen... who'll do it? microsoft (they make virtual pc) ?? apple ??
I don't think Microsoft is going to do this but an enterprising third party developer most likely will.
Originally posted by spindler
I think it would help Apple a lot. If a person likes just a couple of Mac features, and they have a choice in their computer at work, why not use Windows, but with the Mac features, instead of a regular Windows computer. Apple loses when the choice is either/or. But why not have both?
I don't think Microsoft is going to do this but an enterprising third party developer most likely will.
personally, i think it has tremendous potential for that third party developer, especially with MacIntels. i would love such a thing. Virtual PC gets the job done, but it actually is a bit rubbishy.
Originally posted by Aquatic
It's pretty damn good! However, setup is a little bit complex and must be hard for novices. That should be fixed, and of course...it will run at FULL SPEED and hopefully even utilize the graphics card, in MacIntels! sweeeeet!
HALF LIFE 2, UT2004/2005, CS SOURCE, STARCRAFT GHOST!. 6800GT. DUAL BOOT MAC OS X.4.8 AND WINDOZE XP PRO
YEAHHHHHHHHH
if such a thing is designed and made by say Sony mac os X and dual-bootage setup licensed from Apple.... i would definitely sell my left kidney** for such a machine, particularly if it comes in a sexy portable form factor
(sorry for the caps... got carried away)
**hey at least selling one kidney and buying a pc is better than ending up in a bathtub of ice with both kideys gone