"But it looks like OS X doesn't have window titles on its dock, so I won't be using it any time soon."
Well, the Dock is funny. First of all, you mouse-over a Dock icon in order to see its title. Plus, the Dock shows you actual pictures of the document which is in the dock (if the document is open and in the Dock) rather than a generic, representative icon. That said, an icon (currently) only appears in the Dock if you put it there - unlike windows, there is no Windows-style taskbar that sows you what documents is open - only Applications. Enter "Expose."
"Now that the aesthetic neat-o feeling is wearing off I wonder when that kind of task switching really is more efficient. I can think of one thing it better do: On the MS Windows task bar windows are open in chronological order. If I open 15 IE windows I know which ones are newer than others. How will expose order apps?"
Currently, you can put items in the Dock in chronological order or you can rearrange them in custom order. As applications open they are put into the Dock chronologically. Application Switching - Apple-tab tabs through aps (windows equiv = alt-tab); Apple-tilde switches between docs within an App (Windows counterpart of cntrl-tab) - scrolls through the apps/docs in the order in which they were last used or opened. As you switch from one app to another, the title appears above it (although most Apps have fairly distinctive icons).
How will Expose work? I dunno. As gimmicky as it looks, though, I think it is a good idea. But we'll see, wont we?
"Make it as simple as moving windows in and out on the z-axis would actually be quite useful. Some windows are unnecessarily large or small. Just move them into the distance and bring what you're working on in front, and you've got a useful desktop sorting capability."
You've pretty much just described Apple's next OS: Panther (OS 10.4). It's got a funciton they call "Expose;" http://www.apple.com/macosx/panther/expose.html which does almost exactly that: It allows you to move the windows of all applications out of the way to help you find the one for which you are searching.
It's not exactly a 3D GUI, but it's a start. I think that the direction in which MS is moving with Windows is simply misguided imitation. MS is trying to copy the style of Apple's OS but not the intuitive aspects of the interface.
If you buy your Mac and Apple Care within the US, you have to use the US Apple Care. If you have problems with your computer in France, say, then you have to have to pay for the phone call, shipping, etc... and you need to send it back to the States for service. Plus, they don't support any incompatibilties that may arise from using a US Mac in a foreign country. (That said, I have had assistance from some very helpful Apple reps while abroad).
I LOVE the newest Kyocera smartphone... Small and light, color screen, and an entire Palm in a phone. Even has SD/MMC support so you can add on Bluetooth later. It's 3G, as well. Anything it doesn't have can be added on in a Palm app or SD/MMC... what else is there?!?
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"But it looks like OS X doesn't have window titles on its dock, so I won't be using it any time soon."
Well, the Dock is funny. First of all, you mouse-over a Dock icon in order to see its title. Plus, the Dock shows you actual pictures of the document which is in the dock (if the document is open and in the Dock) rather than a generic, representative icon. That said, an icon (currently) only appears in the Dock if you put it there - unlike windows, there is no Windows-style taskbar that sows you what documents is open - only Applications. Enter "Expose."
"Now that the aesthetic neat-o feeling is wearing off I wonder when that kind of task switching really is more efficient. I can think of one thing it better do: On the MS Windows task bar windows are open in chronological order. If I open 15 IE windows I know which ones are newer than others. How will expose order apps?"
Currently, you can put items in the Dock in chronological order or you can rearrange them in custom order. As applications open they are put into the Dock chronologically. Application Switching - Apple-tab tabs through aps (windows equiv = alt-tab); Apple-tilde switches between docs within an App (Windows counterpart of cntrl-tab) - scrolls through the apps/docs in the order in which they were last used or opened. As you switch from one app to another, the title appears above it (although most Apps have fairly distinctive icons).
How will Expose work? I dunno. As gimmicky as it looks, though, I think it is a good idea. But we'll see, wont we?
"Make it as simple as moving windows in and out on the z-axis would actually be quite useful. Some windows are unnecessarily large or small. Just move them into the distance and bring what you're working on in front, and you've got a useful desktop sorting capability."
You've pretty much just described Apple's next OS: Panther (OS 10.4). It's got a funciton they call "Expose;" http://www.apple.com/macosx/panther/expose.html which does almost exactly that: It allows you to move the windows of all applications out of the way to help you find the one for which you are searching.
It's not exactly a 3D GUI, but it's a start. I think that the direction in which MS is moving with Windows is simply misguided imitation. MS is trying to copy the style of Apple's OS but not the intuitive aspects of the interface.
Read YOUR warranty, doce. In the Apple Care Terms and Conditions it specifically states in Section 9 (Other Provisions) Paragraph C that,
A ppleStore?productLearnMore=M8853LL/A
"This Plan is offered and valid only in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico. This Plan is not valid in any other country or U.S. territory. This Plan is not available for Florida consumers or where prohibited by law."
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/
If you buy your Mac and Apple Care within the US, you have to use the US Apple Care. If you have problems with your computer in France, say, then you have to have to pay for the phone call, shipping, etc... and you need to send it back to the States for service. Plus, they don't support any incompatibilties that may arise from using a US Mac in a foreign country. (That said, I have had assistance from some very helpful Apple reps while abroad).
I LOVE the newest Kyocera smartphone... Small and light, color screen, and an entire Palm in a phone. Even has SD/MMC support so you can add on Bluetooth later. It's 3G, as well. Anything it doesn't have can be added on in a Palm app or SD/MMC... what else is there?!?