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the second is the ability to update apps to new versions with one click.

Yeah, because no Mac applications currently have that ability. Oh, unless you count the ~750 listed here, that use Sparkle.

~Philly

Well, you can't get all your apps up to date at one time with Sparkle. I have a lot of apps that I only use occasionally. Every time I run one of them, I have t update it. Sometimes I even find an app that won't run because it needs updating for compatibility with whichever version of MacOS X I'm on now.

It would be nice to have a centralized system for updating third-party apps. This isn't perfect, but it is a step in the right direction

The second is the ability to update apps to new versions with one click.

Huh. Someone didn't tell that to all of the developers that have been using the Sparkle framework for the last however long in their applications. While it's great that Apple is finally rolling this functionality into the OS as a native component, it's not like Mac applications have been without it up until now. Most of the decent ones have been using Sparkle for a few years, and it does this just fine. Now, if only they would buy out Growl, I'd be a happy man.

Only by submitting their apps to Apple's store and giving up 30% of their receipts will developers get to take advantage of two new OS features.

The first is Apple's new 'Launchpad,' a tool for easily opening application

Where exactly does it say that no apps except those bought from the App Store will be available in the Launchpad? Doesn't say that on Apple's page, and the way it's written doesn't even imply it, unless you're out looking for something to post an anti-Apple screed.

the second is the ability to update apps to new versions with one click.

Yeah, because no Mac applications currently have that ability. Oh, unless you count the ~750 listed here, that use Sparkle.

~Philly

Hate to reply to myself, but just thought of this: If iWeb were crapware, would it really have over 5000 users who actually go out of their way to say they use the software? It has more hits than Dreamweaver, or even another bundled app, iChat, which is definitely not useless (I use iChat so my daughter can see and talk to both her Grandmas).

First, mods: this is OT and I'm feeding a semi-troll and I know it.

Second, to the parent: I see what you're saying, but Quad G5s don't exactly comprise the bulk of the PPC Mac's installed base. I don't have numbers on-hand, but I'd bet the vast majority of PPC Macs out there are iBooks, iMacs, and single-CPU G4s and G5s. Those are far slower than, say, even my October 2007 MacBook. And this isn't coming from a guy who dislikes those boxes - I finally sold my last PPC Mac in February of this year.

Here's an illustration of what I'm talking about. You know those cute little webpages where you click on "screenshot" and the page dims and a popup comes up with the shot? (If not, check out some of the screen shots on iusethis.com.) That effect was almost totally unusable on my 2001 G4 tower and only moderately bearable on my latest edition iBook. I didn't see screenshots for months because of that nonsense. Now, can you imagine Photosynth using that hardware?

Point being: don't dis MS until you have some confirmation that they're going to screw Mac users. I'm not saying to welcome them into your home and make them dinner, but there's no need - right now - to get all bent out of shape about the (current) lack of a Mac version.

I know what you are saying. Lucky for me, all your reasons are actually reasons I like the mac.

I gave up gaming on computers, it simply is not worth it. I use my xbox 360 and wii for that now and I'm having a much better experience. No drm that requires me to shut down tools just to play a game, no constant upgrade mill to get the latest graphics, etc. All my favorite windows games run on mac anyways (either via wine/cider or native)

I actually like the hotkeys much better on mac. Sure it really pissed me off at first, but the fact that they are so constant across programs rules (command-, for example). Sure it would be nice to be able to remap them, but that is not an issue to me at this point my hands do what they are supose to do on each OS.

I love the interface, i'm finding that I no longer work with apps fullscreen on linux and windows now. I'm more productive now as well (I think it is because i'm not constantly switching windows to read documentation and such. I also love that I can close the app but leave it running (like itunes). A simple command-w and the app is gone but still running, very nice if I know I'm going to use it again but don't want to clutter up the dock and very nice for programs that I use headless (like iTunes). But as you said, it's a personal thing, not a technical one.

As for backspace, I know exactly what you are saying, which is why I use a external keyboard (the apple one) when I'm at home. Although I think you have it backwards, delete is backspace and function-delete is what we think of as actual delete. But on my fullsize keyboard at home, you have both keys (just named delete and a funny icon and delete) in the places you would expect them as a touch typer and they work exactly like every other OS (only backspace says delete on it). Not an issue to me, but I can see how it throws people off.

My real pet peeve is the home/end keys. I am very programed to use home/end as a programer. They do not function as expected. They function more like page up/page down. It has been hard for me to replace this with command-arrow right/left. There is a way for me to change this, but I have decided to learn to deal with it.

As for software, yea repo would be nice (although for most open source software there is macports and the like). However I find that with sites like http://www.macupdate.com/ http://osx.iusethis.com/ and ttp://www.versiontracker.com I have no problem finding all the software I need.

I think it is just like migrating from windows to linux, you have to give up your thoughts on how things are done and learn the (insert os here) way.

If you turn off the warning sound and set the sensitivity real high, anyone foolish enough to detach anything from your laptop will jiggle it enough to have his picture taken.

• http://coolosxapps.net/
• http://www.versiontracker.com/macosx/
• http://osx.iusethis.com/
• http://osx.hyperjeff.net/Apps/cats.php
• http://www.macosxapps.com/

Dont forget: http://osx.iusethis.com/

It refers to an optional System Preferences pane that can be downloaded for OS X Tiger (link) called DashOnOff which lets you disable Dashboard - it's not the only way to do this, but it's been a while since I updated my sig. You may also want to Google "MainMenu" which probably enables you to do the same thing, as well as having quick recourse to utility scripts and other stuff (I don't recommend it wholesale, AFAIK, you need to sudo su to run /etc/weekly from the Terminal, so this menu might retain more privileges than needed).

The original NTFS-3G source code doesn't compile on Mac OS X without some changes but the MacFUSE and NTFS-3G precompiled packages are available from IUseThis.