Recent Comments:
ASUS' 9-inch Eee PC 900 hits the FCC with full teardown, gets multi-finger gesture support {Engadget}
Mar 26th 2008 6:36PM Hahaa...look at this lengthy list of low-ranked comments = P
I think I'll contribute by saying something...fanboyish =D
Macbook Air ripoff!1!1 :O
How would you change Windows Vista? {Engadget}
Aug 19th 2007 2:55PM The things I'd like to change would be the taskbar pop ups and the gaudiness of the UI. My mom works in Driver Development at ATI, now AMD, and thus, we got to use several beta versions of Vista since the original reset of the code. In the early versions, even when hibernating or putting your computer on standby crashed the computer, and so much as a sideways glance caused it to freeze, the Aero UI was present with all it's glossy high res icons and shiny, semi-translucent window panes. I'll admit I was impressed with the user interface, particularly the live window previews and Flip 3D, it really pales in comparison to Apple's UI. It's pretty similar to the comparison between WMP 11 and iTunes. WMP has a gaudy, glossy interface that seems to clash with every other application in XP, and overuses transparencies in Vista. Comparatively, iTunes has a more subtle, matte finish, which, although less technically impressive than the alpha blended glass used in Vista, is more professional and subtle.
The same deal applies with Vista and OS X. Since I got a new Mac a few months ago, to replace my old computer (which couldn't run Vista by the way, we had to run it on the new Dell), you can't help but notice that everything has a reserved, professional feel to it. It isn't like Vista, where UAC pokes at you at every turn, and even if you turn it off, it spouts a pop up telling you that it's turned off and should be turned on, in OS X, the OS only asks you for permission when installing a program, changing preferences, and other actions that are crucial to the system's integrity. This is quite different from Vista, which asked for my permission to empty the recycle bin. Also, there isn't a single annoying pop up in OS X informing you that there are security vulnerabilities with your computer, or anything that interferes with your work. Even regular software updates can be disabled, and done manually.
Evidently, aside from the visuals, OS X and Vista operate on completely different paradigms. While Vista embraces the "Tell the user every tiny facet of information, even if it impedes your work" approach, perhaps to make it more approachable to new users, OS X is an OS that focuses on getting out of the way, and being more of a tool for getting things done. Thus, the gaudy UI and pop ups are just an example of how Vista draws your attention, instead of leaving you alone to do you work.
Love your Finder: A keyboard shortcut for adding items to the sidebar {The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)}
Aug 12th 2007 10:12PM I assume that the blob covering the home icon's name used to be rounded and search box-esque, giving people the impression that you could search files in each icon in the sidebar. I'm not sure though >
Lenovo laying off 1,400 employees, looking overseas {Engadget}
Apr 21st 2007 11:10PM It's interesting that, even though the company is a Chinese company that has received subsidies and support from the Chinese Government, people still treat it as if it is a distinctly US Company. The majority of the company's user base is situated in China, so I don't see the issue with this decision. Local manufacturing would likely reduce shipping costs anyways. Also, although Lenovo's headquarters are located in the United States, it doesn't imply that it has any special affiliation with the US. It shouldn't be considered traitorous in any sense.
SanDisk wants you to say iDon't to iPod {Engadget}
May 22nd 2006 8:55PM If they hope to take marketshare from Apple, wouldn't it be against their interests to insult their potential customers? If I were branded a sheep or a chimpanzee, I'd be pretty offended
