Thursday, March 9,2006 @ 2:00pm
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."