The Mac OS X dock and Tiger
It has been awhile since Apple has added any nice new features to the dock. While it is pretty feature packed right now, I wouldn't mind a few other ones such as...
Spring loaded dock folders
Allowing you to close all minimized windows from the dock using control-click (like you can do with the Finder).
These are just a few off the top of my head.
Mike
Spring loaded dock folders
Allowing you to close all minimized windows from the dock using control-click (like you can do with the Finder).
These are just a few off the top of my head.
Mike
Comments
-Macrules101
Originally posted by MPMoriarty
...Spring loaded dock folders
...
That would be great.
Next i would like to have a - let's say: an extented clipboard memory.
In the dock there would be a new Icon -> the clipboard Icon. Drag any content from any app to that icon (or at least to the dock itself) and it would be virtually stored in the clipboard. Mouse over would pile out all the content for your convenience. Drag them to where ever you want. Simple but great posibilities, - exposé...
1. "grouped application windows" -- if I have multiple windows for a single application open/minimized, it might be nice if they were somehow grouped on the dock.
2. multiple docks -- it would be nice to have my "programming" dock where I have my development tools, and my "media" dock where I have my iLife (et al) like applications...like that
I'd like spring loaded Dock folders. I'd also like the spring loading to extend to app aliases and minimized windows - drag over an app alias, hold, the window comes up, you complete your drag and drop, the window goes back where it came from.
Currently the Dock is divided into two parts. I think three might be in order, since there are three distinct types of objects there: apps, minimized windows, and folders (which includes Trash). It's not logical that minimized windows and folders are in the same compartment.
Maybe they could change the "minimized window in Dock" concept to an app specific window manager. If you are in Mail, and have minimized some mail windows, you see them. When you switch to iTunes, you no longer see the minimized Mail windows. Just throwing some ideas around...
They are all just containers.
Expose-container for open windows
Dashboard-container for mini apps
Desktop-container for recently uses files/links/text clippings
Dock-container for favorite apps/apps in use/minimized windows
I think the Dock's functionality could be absorbed into Dashboard and Expose. It could possibly stick around for novices though. But the difference between open windows and minimized windows is pretty slim and so is the difference between mini apps and the representation of open apps/favorite apps.
Originally posted by Aquatic
Hi intastella. Welcome to Macintosh. Where you Have it Your Way. Oh wait that's Burger King. But anyway, more than one way to do things. Unlike Windows where if you don't follow the Wizard and you are a newbie, you're screwed.
Aquatic -
proposal for a new signature: just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean I'm not being followed.
I think it is missing, i am watching you
Originally posted by intastella
I think the Dock, Desktop, Expose, and Dashboards are overlapping to the point of being redundant. I think a unifying concept of windows, apps, and files "launcher" could streamline all these.
Sorry, i've got not the faintest idea what you are talking about.
1. Dock = general quick access to files, folders apps, and name it.
2. Expos´ = ...er... windows management?
3. Desktop = metapher for spatially beeing there,
Seeing is believing! (ok this is a point to discuss later)
Expose-container for open windows
Dashboard-container for mini apps
Desktop-container for recently uses files/links/text clippings
Dock-container for favorite apps/apps in use/minimized windows
Exposé is more a state of a particular action/ intention to move content
Desktop was and still is a bit a metapher for the spatial finder.
I think the Dock's functionality could be absorbed into Dashboard and Expose. It could possibly stick around for novices though.
How? The Dock could be greatly improved by adding some functionality
(spring loaded dock, clipboard, piles, smart search icons and so on) but what do you mean "absorbed into Dashboard and Exposé"?
But the difference between open windows and minimized windows is pretty slim and so is the difference between mini apps and the representation of open apps/favorite apps.
?
I like cmd+tab. I like Expose, somewhat. I don't like the Dock at all. There isn't nearly enough orthogonality, or power, in any of these interface elements. They do not feel "clean". Enough orthogonality and simple, powerful basic functionality enables the user to learn quickly, and easy development of more complicated structures. They should pare down the Dock, then make it more powerful.
I find Windows' taskbar (and many *nix GUIs) a bit better than Dock at managing the desktop and windows - because it does this in a lot simpler, orthogonal fashion, and the apps/windows on the Taskbar are spring loaded - but Dock is definitely designed to be a better launchbar, and a better status indicator. I won't detail Windows' failings in these areas, but they are many. I wish Apple could come up with better window management - not copy the others, or invent something earthshattering, but just sit down and design something better. Right now it feels like Dock covers 40% of window management, Expose covers 60%, but they overlap so 20% of window management is still not at all intuitive/effortless/etc.