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: is used as a seperator for path names.

On the plus side, this allows you to use just about any other character. Backslashes, forward slashes, dashes, asterisks, spaces, percent signs, etc.

Before URLs became commonplace, colons weren't terribly common when you think about it.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

It's not hard, if the OS is designed with a single button in mind. You just weren't used to it.

I agree 100% with the round mouse thing. I think Apple was aiming toward little kids (which seem to be able to use it, due to its size), but they should never have shipped it with their higher end systems. Same with the keyboard.

For the record, I prefer 2 button mice, which work just fine on the Mac (you can simulate a second button on later revs of the OS by holding down control and clicking on the a file - contextual menus). On the other hand, I have been forced to support Windows users confused by the second button, so they may have a point.

In the end, it doesn't cost much to buy a better mouse. Apple should make it a build to order option, and support both equally.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Are you sure it's just a theme? I tend to think so given the speed Apple 'dropped' the new appearance in at the last moment, but they have not commented on this publically as far a I know, and Apple's previous position on themes in the past has been somewhat negative (ie. we were supposed to have theme support in 8.5, but they pulled back).

Usability is the big concern, I think. The look of the classic Mac UI isn't what set it apart from the crowd, it's the usability factors.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Unfortunately I have yet to use any of the DP's, but will probably work with DP3 at some point after its release.

I'm on a G3/Lombard myself, which isn't the fastest thing around, but not the slowest either. Hopefully it'll be okay.

I can't imagine Apple putting those things in there without them being disableable. If they don't, someone will - it didn't take long for someone to hack out the zoom rects in the current MacOS.

It's supposed to be released late this month. I'm not too confident about that, but we'll see. From there, I think we'll have a better idea. It ran very very fast at the keynote, but Jobs was probably using a top of the line G4...

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

The dock is actually from NeXTStep/OpenStep, which Apple owns the rights to outright. If anyone is ripping anyone off, it's Windows ripping off NeXTStep (not a farfetched idea when you consider who made Windows).

As for the cycles, we'll see. Supposedly Quartz is very very fast, but we'll have to wait and see.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

You do realize that Tog was an Apple employee for 14 years, right?

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Xerox was paid by Apple in the form of stock options for what Apple gained by visiting their office.

Here's an account by Jef Raskin, one of the original Mac developers (much of the Mac's concepts came from his research from much earlier).

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Actually, he's partially right. Within the last few years - around the release of MacOS 8.1 I believe - Apple began transitioning people over to the HFS Extended (HFS+) file system. HFS+ does indeed support long (at least 255 character) file names.

However, the functionality is not apparent in the current MacOS. I guess Apple figured poorly coded apps might break, and there isn't really a good way to display filenames in the Finder with that long of names (it looks a bit unwieldly).

My understanding is that long filenames work just fine in OSX.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Perhaps he didn't want to provide a link to every single window manager in existance, and simply linked to the most visible?

Note the 's' at the end of 'modern window managers'. I think he knows that there are more than one.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

D'oh. Bad link. Sorry about that.

Try this instead.

http://www.omnigroup.c om/community/mailinglists/macosx-talk/

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Probably the best place to talk to knowledgeable users is here:

http://www.omnigroup.c om/community/mailinglists/macosx-talk/

...it has a pretty distinct OpenStep/NeXTStep focus, but there are some classic MacOS users there as well. Overall there are a lot of good ideas being floated around there, as well as a few bad ones, but the people are generally intelligent enough to avoid 'MacOS X rulez/sucks' messages.

Much better than Apple Insider, which appears to be more or less frequented by bored 14 year olds (the site itself is pretty decent though).

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Actually, there are a large number of Mac users (myself included) who have some reservations with the new UI. It's hard to tell until we actually get to sit down with it, though.

I'm cautiously optimistic, but there are a number of people who have had major issues with what Apple has shown so far. Tog, who worked at Apple for 14 years, is one of them. I personally think Apple threw the screenshots out for public consumption as a sort of trial balloon - they've done this before. Given that there are 5-6 months until release, they've got time to make the kind of minor changes people are advocating.

Anyhow, please don't stereotype Mac users. We don't all agree with everything Apple does, and aren't nearly as blind/conformist as you think we are (witness the deafening roar of bitching Mac users erupted in when QuickTime 4 was released).

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

I am. :>

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Why was this labeled flamebait?

Mark it up as informative. It's perfectly valid.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Um, okay... That's fine. Different things for different people I guess.

But - what's a panguine?

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Don't worry. It HAS to be the product of some judicious Photoshop work.

At least, I hope so...

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

http://www.apple.com/imac
Smell: Tangerine, Blueberry, Grape, Lime, or Strawberry. Take your pick.

http://127.0.0.1
Smell: Me. Eww?

http://www.microsoft.com
Smell: Decaying, rotting meat - as found near most large predatory creatures.

http://www.amiga.com/
Smell: None at all!

http://www.wto.org/
Smell: Is that... Tear gas?

http://www.windows2000test.com
Smell: A very large foot, immersed in a very large mouth.

http://www.be.com/press/pressreleases/00-01-18_f ree.html
Smell: The persperation of desperation.

http://www.starwars.com
Smell: A big pile of cash.

http://www.linuxone.net
Smell: Vaguely rodent-like?

http://www.apple.com
Smell: A (somewhat spritely) reanimated corpse.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/
Smell: I can't tell, I'm still holding my nose. You figure it out.

http://www.digiscents.com
Smell: Vaporware (do you _really_ think this will take off?).


- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

---
So, whether you like it or not, as a MS employee you implicitly share the sentiments of B.G.

If you don't agree with your companies ideals, then why work there?
---

This is untrue. Being one who agrees with the use of capitalism as a means to distribute software and turn a profit does not mean that you cannot agree with at least some of the ideas of the free software community. They are not at all mutually exclusive.

Most people do not consider access to code a 'right', but many can understand the more tangible benefits to open-source software. Scalability, robustness, and lack of marketting influence.

However, it's not hard to find problems as well. Lack of funding for certain things developers can't do being the biggest: licensing of codecs (QuickTime anyone?), marketting, and my favorite: usability testing. There are number of poorly thought out user interfaces in free software projects. This requires a great deal of testing, a scientific process which takes some cash.

Anyhow, there are benefits to each. While I don't agree with HOW Microsoft abuses capitalism in what they do, there are a number of companies that are pretty ethical, and have damn good software.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

By chance, are you referring to LinuxOne - NOT LinuxCare?

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Interesting argument. I can see it now:

"This car is nice, but... It looks just like the other one over there."

"Oh, no, ignore that. They copied our design. Besides, our car NEVER crashes, and is much easier to use. Just look at this interior, the seats, the wheel. That one is obviously a knock-off."

"Are you sure? I thought it came out in 1984? I heard your model didn't come out until a few years..."

"HEY! Look at this, this car's radio is really great. It works best with the MS Radio station standard - a vast improvement on the current, old standard. No other player can do the things ours can."

"Really? I didn't know there was such thing as MS Radio"

"There isn't. We're working on that."

"Oh, well... Can I replace it with another radio?"

"Sorry, you can't remove the radio. It's an integral part of the vehicle. We make a similar radio for a couple of other kinds of cars, but in the Super Deluxe car it must stay."

"Oh"

"We'd help you remove it, but really, it will break everything. You see, the structure of the car is built around it. Of course, this was done purely by accident - we didn't at all think it'd be a good idea to design a way for other radios to be used as well. Oh well, it's too late now."

"Yeah, I guess."

"Anyhow, here are your keys. Please enjoy your drive home. While you're at it, here's $40. Could you write a nice little letter to the editor about how much you like our cars? Thanks!"



"By the way, the swelling should go down in a few days. A soft cushion and some Preperation H, and you'll be good as new. I hope it was as good for you as it was for me - we sure do love to innovate!"


- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Do they have a higher voltage than, say, my Powerbook G3 or PowerTower Pro?

If the people here can poke around in their own boxen without worry, what's the problem with a video game console (assuming it's not plugged in)?


- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

I hate to say this, but this is very very old. As in, May of '98.

"Last Updated: 5.30.98"

I'm assuming he hasn't gotten very far. Oh well.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

--- While this may make you believe noone cares, believe this: Be users are a loyal userbase, almost as stubborn as Amiga users :) --- Hey, you're right! If it worked for the Amiga, it might just work for Be! :>

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

---
It's your free speech, yes, but I don't want it in my house.
---

Then freely purchase and install censorware on your own computer. I don't think anybody is disputing your right as a parent to control the content being presented in your house.

But there is no reason why censorware should be forced upon the libraries - it's not your house, it belongs to everyone. An unfettered source of information, either 'good' or 'bad'. If you are afraid of what your kids may find in the library, go with them. Steer them to information that you deem appropriate.

With your rights as a parent, you also have responsibilities.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Why not go with your kid(s) to the library, and let other parents make their decision?

With freedom comes responsibility, but you can't just toss freedom out the door when it becomes a little inconvenient. Libraries are stores for public knowledge of any kind. While I can see a limit for books (you can only have so many), Internet terminals are unfettered by such restrictions.

You're a parent, it is your right and responsibility to raise your child without the government telling you how to do so. It is my right to decide what information I want to see. A careful balance of these two things is what is needed.

Go with your kid to the library - be an active parent. There are far too few these days...

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

They can, but you'd have to provide reason for them to believe it's worth the effort. Linux as yet still has a pretty small marketshare on the desktop, and Apple would want to recoup the costs by people registering QuickTime Pro - usually content creators, not an audience prone to using Linux.

It's be nice, but don't hold your breath until Linux marketshare rises up a few points. It's hard enough to even get them to make a decent player for Windows.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

---
From the guys who killed Firewire...
---

...how can a company kill FireWire and yet make it available in all of their higher-end machines (and some low ones)?

I imagine within a year all Apple systems will have FireWire. Not quite the same definition of dead as I know of.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Maybe you should ask for your money back?



- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Uh, dude, I don't run Linux (full time, at least) and don't even play Quake. Of course, I've only said that 2 times already, so I wouldn't expect you to understand.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Okay, there are probably better coders. I wouldn't doubt it, actually.

What of it?

If he contributes something where it is needed, it's still a good thing. If one of these phantom 'better coders' comes in and improves on his code, even better.

Doesn't mean you should rail against the guy. You're not being forced to play his games, and if his changes are less than desirable, I assume Linus wouldn't include them. It's a win-win situation. Why the anomosity then?

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

You're probably right.

Then again, the same could be said for natural selection, but look how THAT turned out. In theory, these trolls shouldn't even exist. :>



- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

And you think the use of the homophobic term 'fag' as a disparaging term is any better? That's what I was responding to.


- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

---
In the great scheme of things, that ranks right above winning a farting contest.
---

Oh, I see. You're in competition. That makes things more clear.

Anyhow, coding a 3d game like Quake isn't exactly trivial. If it is, please supply a link to your own code and we'll talk.


- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Ooh, 'fag'. That's cute. 5th grade level insults really show off your intelligence. Not only am I speaking to an idiot, but a homophobe.

Redneck.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

*sigh*

You know, troll, you need to learn to read before you can write.

As I said, I don't even really care much for most of the software Carmack has written (ie. I don't play first person shooters very much). What I am saying, however, is that there is NOTHING negative coming from this. So what if he receives public recognition? Just about every coder out there would love to be well regarded for what they do. Don't blame Carmack because he has been successful at it.

You have never said what it is exactly that you have against the man? There are a bunch of other famous coders out there - aren't they the same? Is it their fault they are well known?

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

And this is different than who? Linus? RMS?

Any other coder would be very happy to have any form of recognition (this is not a 'bad thing'). Just because someone has attained it means nothing, other than a combination of luck and skill. What's wrong with that? In the end, he ends up with a little publicity, and Linux ends up with some useful code - for free.

I'm amazed you know Carmack so well. How are you so damned certain what he wants and doesn't want? It seems to me that this is a Good Thing for all involved.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

This coming from an anonymous coward with poor writing skills?

You're not that great of a source, either, bub. And this is coming from a person who doesn't even like first person shooters all that much, so don't give me your "John Carmack weenie" crap.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Sounds like jealousy to me.

1. Nobody is forcing anyone to purchase Quake or any other game.
2. His changes would be _free_.
3. I assume his changes would help others, not just Quake customers, right.
4. So what if a person enjoys nice cars? I know I do. More power to him.
5. Don't be an asshole. He's pry brought more enjoyment to people than you ever will.


- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Why must every site aimed toward women be a 'grrl', 'gurl' or 'gerl' site?

This is an annoying trend. Not every woman out there that could benefit from computer usage is a 14 year old neo-feminist punk rocking 'contemporary chick'. The average woman out there is your mom, or maybe your sister, or the girl next door.

There's _plenty_ of room between Martha Stewart and the gerl/gurl/grrl crowd. Who is filling this area? I have a feeling it is being ignored. Most women out there don't want to feel like they are making some grandiose statement about girl power, nor do they care to keep long rambling journals with kitschy 50's era pop culture pictures and pink flowers. Most women want to make their lives more productive.

I'm all for female empowerment and equality, but the whole Spice Girls-esque gerl/gurl/grrl 'movement' makes me want to hurl.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

That's your reply?

He gave a valid reason, and this is the best you come up with?

BTW - What you are askin Taco for, is free. There is nothing resembling extortion here. Source code is NOT a right.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

You planning on paying Rob for that source code?

Seems to me that some metaphors just don't stack up...

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Single user brain damage? Uh, okay... Anyways...

The Mac is, believe it or not, very very scriptable. You can automate a number of things using Applescript.

Different tool, same idea. A number of other languages (ie. Perl, Frontier) can be used in a similar fashion.

Please learn a little more about what you speak. You're obviously not too familiar with this technology that you say is so lacking. Applescript in particular has been used for years to automate common tasks - and not just simple ones at that.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Okay, I can see where you are coming from. This is definately late in coming.

However, it's worth noting that most of the idiots responsible for the multiple failed OS strategies ( specifically those in management) are now working elswhere. The first thing Jobs did upon his return was boot most of the old Apple 'cruft', bringing in a lot of NeXT influence as well.

If Apple hadn't been purged 2.5 years ago, this Expo's keynote probably would have been Yet Another OS Strategy announcement - assuming Apple would be in business at all. While Apple has kept a number of its better engineers, management has been all but replaced. The people to blame aren't even there any more.

Anyhow, it sounds like you have a fairly decent philosophy, and should use whatever works (many Macs users stuck with Apple because, in their/our view, there wasn't an alternative to what Apple offered). Now that things are changing, you'd be doing yourself a favor by looking at Apple again...

(note: this is coming from a macos, beos, linux user)

Just a thought... :>

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Supposedly, current OSX builds run just fine on PCI-based 604s. Don't expect Apple to 'officially' support them, however.

If they do, it'll be well after official hardware support is complete on the G3/G4 platforms.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

I guess so! :>

I was saying it in the context of the post I was replying to. Right now I don't think Apple is even really competing against Linux (and yes, if Linux were a threat to their market, they WOULD compete). They're more worried about Windows and keeping current Mac users at this point.

The AC should read more carefully. I said "kill Apple's chances of destroying Linux", not "kill Apple's efforts in destroying Linux". Seems subtle, but there's a big difference. Then again, it is comon with ACs to not read carefully, so I shouldn't be too surprised...

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Man this is cool. From flamefest to lovefest in just a few posts. :>

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

People bitch when Apple doesn't update their OS forever, then bitch when they do. Innovation doesn't mean doing things differently just for the sake of doing things differently. Apple has in the past, frankly, hurt itself by ignoring other technologies. Finally Apple gets something damn near out the door, and still receives flak.

Face it, Apple is doing the best thing for itself and its customers. I love the MacOS interface, but I don't want to be stuck with its foundation for much longer....

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Well, a lot of these things are optional. For example, the icon size and window style issues are all options. The dock is admittedly new, though.

The way the new control panel functions is actually a throwback to old-school MacOS, where the control panel actually was a single app with a list of items in it.

I'd personally like to see the Apple menu come back. It is so heavily ingrained in the Mac user psyche, it should stick.

As for the drive icons on the desktop, I believe that's going to be 'fixed' in the final. I kind of hope so, in this case. It fits the desktop metaphor much better.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Summer, 2000.



- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

Actually, many of us ('us' being Mac users) do wish for great customizability.

However, we don't want to come at the cost of usability, nor do we want to have to edit a text file for the privilege. It's a hard line to walk for Apple.

That said, I think Kaleidoscope-like theme capability will go a long way. That's pretty much a given though.

- Jeff A. Campbell
- VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)