You would think there would be an objective way of measuring the user outcomes of these two directions in interface design, but so far there doesn't seem to be one. Instead, the issue often seems to come down to an emotional argument about the relative "coolness" of the two interfaces, with the decision heavily weighted by the presumption that what we already know must be better than what we don't.
"That's unresolveable in any general sense, but if you're a Windows user prepared to defend XP as better than Mac OS X , I have a challenge for you. Think about Win-D (or is it M?), and all the rest of it while reading this Apple puff piece about the "Exposé" feature in Mac OS X.
"If you're at all fair about this, I think you'll agree that the ability to deliver gimmicks like this supports the view that Microsoft's Windows GUI remains at least a full generation behind Apple's."
"But Macs Are Slower, Right?" PING!!!!
If you want to be included or excluded on the Mac Ping list, please Freepmail me.
Macophile alert!
I dislike Windows, but dislike Macintosh even more. Why? Hmmm...well, less software, harder to upgrade or build (I'm a build-your-own computer user), more difficult to troubleshoot...
my parents have MACs, I work in the Windows world.
I would rather have a MAC....especially if I have some graphics work to do.
If they ever figure out how to get the gaming portion of the market to work in their favor, Windows will have a hard time to keep up....
but, being a government contractor, Windows is capable for what we do.
Apparently the famous reality-distortion field extends a good deal farther than anyone thought.
I may be wrong, but I've been a Mac user since 1985 and I have never felt there was a lack of "programs" for my Mac. Word processing, spreadsheets, internet search engines.....I can find not just on version of a Mac compatable program but sometimes many. I absolutely love my new 20" G5 imac. I own a windows unit (not an A/C that mounts in a window)that I use at work and it's okay...no problems so far. But my mac is....well...easier and more fun to work with. I say to each his own...if you like PCs then fine. But Macs are my favorite.
There are quite a few solid rules of UI design based on how people percieve and do things. Scientists involved in HCI (Human Computer Interface) research do specific scientific studies on the effects of various aspects of UI with hard numbers in the end on what's better in what situation.
AFAIK, nobody's published a study like this for OS X vs. Windows. However, I do know that OS X uses a lot more of HCI's rules to its advantage when compared to Windows and violates fewer of them.
Rush was running windoze down on his show today. Persnally any new high end machine is faster and posessed of greater functionality than I can ever use except some fo the stuff I occaisonally do in Photoshop.
However the virus/spyware question drives me into the Mac camp.
He told he to at least to get FireFox or Mozilla and software to protect her PeeCee...
ping
IBM POWER products kick ass!
Doesn't always load on the first try.
It's a niche machine. What's its market share?
The facts are it is slower, the software offerings are a fraction of those available for the PC, and the sowftware tends to be greatly more expensive.
Which pretty much keeps it a cult/niche product, used mainly for graphic arts composition and little else.
As I like to say: "PCs ae designed to impreess users; Macs are designed to impress interior decorators." You just know that flaming gay guy Christopher Lowell is a macophile...
--Boris
nttttttttttt
[finally back online] does Apple make routers? [rhetorical]