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03/09/2006, 2:00pm, EST

Thursday, March 9th

Windows Vista resembles OS X

Microsoft's next generation operating system looks more and more like Mac OS X, according to Paul Thurrott's review of Windows Vista Build 5308, the latest iteration of the OS. Thurrott expresses some "misgivings" about Vista resembling Mac OS X. In a general observation Thurrott says the new build features Mac OS X-style translucent windows and applications. "But Vista's similarity with OS X goes well beyond window dressing. Certain applications, such as Calendar, Sidebar, and Photo Gallery, appear to be directly, ahem, influenced by similar applications in OS X." Acknowledging that Microsoft will be "eaten alive for the similarities," Thurrott also mentions the complexity of Microsoft's latest build, saying that Apple got it right by releasing just two versions of Mac OS X--one for desktops and one for servers. However, he concludes that Windows Vista is still Windows, however, "and that means you can be far more productive with Vista than is possible with OS X, especially if you're a heavy keyboard user like me."


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Well then!
0
03/09, 2:21pm, EST
If you can be much more productive with Windows, I'll go ahead and sell all of our Macs and buy Windows boxes. Why didn't anybody tell me this before?
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That says it all...
0
03/09, 2:28pm, EST
"Windows Vista is still Windows" which means it will look like OS X, but with all the bugs and viruses of Windows.
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Keyboard Useability
0
03/09, 2:34pm, EST
Here's the email I sent to him:

"Of course, Windows Vista is still Windows, and that means you can be far more productive with Vista than is possible with OS X, especially if you're a heavy keyboard user like me."

I don't think you know all that much about Mac OS X.

There are several websites that discuss this very feature comparison, but none really give the edge to windows. Mac OS X has a very broad breadth of shortcuts (some would argue they're even more intuitive and standardized that Win) across the system. Further each application chooses how many shortcuts to implement (beyond the standardized set).

If the shortcuts available with the three modifier keys (as opposed to windows' 2) aren't enough, one can, with a few clicks turn on keyboard control of the whole system and apps via the accessibility system preferences.

This isn't even mentioning the vàlüé øƒ spèçîál characters that can easily and intuitively be typed (´ accent is option-e followed by the letter to apply it to, ¨ accent is option-u followed by the letter to apply it to, ç is simply option-c, å is option-a whereas Å is shift-option-a, all pretty simple).

The fact that it's different, does not make it worse, or non-existant. If you take the time to look into it, you may find that Mac OS X's human interface with the keyboard is even better than Window's.

Thanks for your time.
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NT 5.2: the total rip off
0
03/09, 2:35pm, EST
Featuring buttons randomly placed on screen, preferably outside the windows, inconsistent use of typefaces and a strong feeling of déjà vu.
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never used quicksilver!
0
03/09, 2:37pm, EST
i always wonder why windows people think keyboard support is better on windows when:

-cut copy paste keyboard commands are different in every app -common application keyboard commands (prefs, close window, next window, etc) are different in every app -no standard for keyboard commands: is it alt- or ctrl-? -harder to enter éèáçô, etc if that matters to you -the biggie: quicksilver!

ooh boy, you can hit alt and then scroll through the menu items?
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resemble OSX but . . .
0
03/09, 2:59pm, EST
who's going to know it except for computer geeks and the 5% of us who use OSX.

I've always commented that Apple does a piss poor job of marketing OSX. The iPod is everywhere but where is OSX and the Mac in the tv ads?

OSX is way ahead of Windows XP and Apple had a few years to capitalize on it but I can't remember seeing advertisements for OSX. Maybe there were some but the point is I can't remember them. In the same period I've seem numerous ads for Windows that make it look like it's the solution for everything.

I think Apple has a tough marketing job ahead of them that should have started years ago. 90% of computers won't know Vista is a rip off of OSX and most of them probably won't care either.

C'mon Apple, put the iPod ad team on the Mac.
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resemble OSX but . . .
0
03/09, 3:01pm, EST
resemble OSX but . . . who's going to know it except for computer geeks and the 5% of us who use OSX.

I've always commented that Apple does a piss poor job of marketing OSX. The iPod is everywhere but where is OSX and the Mac in the tv ads?

OSX is way ahead of Windows XP and Apple had a few years to capitalize on it but I can't remember seeing advertisements for OSX. Maybe there were some but the point is I can't remember them. In the same period I've seem numerous ads for Windows that make it look like it's the solution for everything.

I think Apple has a tough marketing job ahead of them that should have started years ago. 90% of computer users won't know Vista is a rip off of OSX and most of them probably won't care either.
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funny
0
03/09, 3:05pm, EST
I find it rather humorous that an article about Windows evens mentions OS X. Is Windows not good enough to stand on it's own two feet? Does it need to be compared with the "other" OS to warrant it's merits?

"Of course, Windows Vista is still Windows, and that means you can be far more productive with Vista than is possible with OS X, especially if you're a heavy keyboard user like me."

A comment like that is just asinine. Of course he's going to be far more productive on a system he is already familiar with! He trying to dissuade would be switchers with this comment?
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Don't click on the link!
0
03/09, 3:19pm, EST
Don't go to his website; you'd be falling right into his plan. This guy makes a living by pissing off the Mac community and raking in the advertiser money from all the page hits generated. Just ignore Thurott if you want to make him go away...
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microsoft lets...
0
03/09, 3:36pm, EST
paul thurrott take vacations? who knew???

i thought they had locked in a cubicle in the basement of HQ. and was only let out to occasionally suck bill off.
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