Proteron today announced an update to its application switcher, regarding Apple's assimilation of third party software into the Mac OS. Although "a similar-looking feature is integrated into Mac OS 10.3, Proteron was not involved or credited in any way for the feature. Proteron remains committed to its LiteSwitch X customers and will continue to develop and improve on LiteSwitch."
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Let's see if I have the timeline straight - Microsoft creates the alt-tab feature for Windows. Apple copies it for Mac OS 8/9. Proteron copies Apple, where Apple had previously copied Microsoft. Proteron brings the Apple/Microsoft stolen feature to Mac OS X, then "enhances" it by copying the window background design from Apple (to make it look like Apple's volume and brightness controls with semi-opaque black rounded corners). Apple allegedly then "copies" Proteron, who had already copied Apple (twice), where Apple had previously copied Microsoft (twice).
What were these guys whining about again? Haven't they ever heard the old expression about glass houses? If they are so concerned about originality, try making a utility that ISN'T a blatant copy of something else. At least the Watson guy had a legitimate complaint, his utility was clearly innovative, these guys have nothing to stand on.
Apple copied it from proteron for their OS 8 and 9 incorporation as well, but it was not as closely resembled.
I've been using Program Switcher, by Michael F. Kamprath for years pre-OS X. It's also available as Keyboard Maestro, on OS X.
If anyone should be upset it should be he. His application has more features than LiteSwitch, and has been around longer.
In fact, I've always used it for its features that were much like Expose, without the fancy "shrink the windows" trick (which is cool no doubt). He mapped function keys (same ones) to hide all apps, show only Finder, restore windows, etc..
It can also assign command keys to AppleScripts, so it continues to be useful.
Not to dis Proteron. I use Max Menus, an excellent program, and will continue to give it most of the screen corners.
Program switching with Cmd-Tab was a natural move for Apple. What's amazing is that it took them so long. How about an Apple 2 button scroll-wheel mouse? Is Logitech going to throw a fit when/if that happens?
apple has plenty of money AND enough ability to at least send a LITTLE BIT OF CREDIT proteron's way, if not payment. there was a day and time when they used to do that.
now you get the feeling that anyone who comes along with a good idea had better have a team of lawyers and a rock-solid patent in their back pocket, or else apple will be "inspired" by it in their next major release. of course, it's easy to feel some sympathy for apple, since they're probably the most famous company to have many of their features "inspire" a massively successful rip-off. maybe they see it as karmic balance?
and by the way, you would have to be brick-f'n-stupid to not see the "influence" (if that's what you want to call it) of proteron's utility on panther's new app switcher. admittedly, proteron's is an IMPROVEMENT of a pre-existing feature, using GUI elements from other areas to make it all fit. so apple just returned the favor (and, from what i can tell, didn't take all of the features, so maybe proteron can improve and compete still.
as a consumer, i have to admit i am glad that apple at least uses good ideas when they see them, but not giving credit or sending a little cash the developer's way seems a bit low.
who took out the NYT ad cause he got no credit for the noble prize, just cause he has this silly patent.
First of all, MICROSOFT had an almost exact feature in a downloadable "PowerPack" for Windows 2000 to enhance ALT-TAB just as nicely as did Proteron's and Apple's. In fact, its a bit better.
And Sherlock 3 was in development BEFORE Karelia's Watson which was a complete ripoff of Sherlock.
Does apple lose the right to improve their own software when other's improve Apple's?
...just don't understand intellectual property, because they have never had to defend it.
i design lots of logos, and i am ALWAYS worried that whatever i show in a closed-door meeting with a critical potential client will be "borrowed" by them, tweaked, and then used for millions of dollars. it's happened before. it gives you a sick, "cheated on" feeling, and pisses you off. but what else can you do but move on? especially in the realm of "user interface," microsoft and apple proved that it is an incredibly difficult thing to prove ownership over.
apple can't just drop every developer a note like, "great work on the software! we'll be ripping off that idea in the next OS!" unless they want to spend a good deal of time in court. it's best to just keep quiet and hope the developers are flattered by the imitation.
They'd have to pay everyone else, INCLUDING Microsoft, as a payout would be an implicit admission that they borrowed or "licensed" concepts.
What was the last instance where Apple paid a third party to integrate a shareware feature in to the OS? MenuBar Clock?
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001
boo freaking hoo
sorry, but everyone has to innovate. and if folks think that apple is bad - they should try writing softare for Windows and if its any good, not see it assimilated into Windows against their will. In fact, Microsoft goes out of their way to crush you in order to make it happen.
at least apple just lets you be.