Apple Thoughts: Apple MACronomics: Embracing the Ecosystem

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Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Apple MACronomics: Embracing the Ecosystem

Posted by Brad Wasson in "Apple Articles & Resources" @ 05:37 AM

Minor Quibbles

I have yet to encounter any significant show stoppers in my journey. I have a few minor quibbles, which primarily relate to the fact that there are many ways to implement operating system features, and there are few hard and fast conventions. The whole treatment of window behavior and style is different in OS X than in Windows world. The main application menus, for example, in the Mac OS X world are tied to the top of the desktop screen, and switch as you click in different application windows that are floating on the desktop. In the Windows world the application menu is tied to the window itself, and moves with it as you resize and move the application window. Both approaches work, they are just different from each other, and coming from one environment or the other challenges your familiarity and expectations in the other. The OS X window "control" buttons (the buttons with "x", "+", and "-" signs) have slightly different behaviors in the Mac world than the Windows world: "x" closes an application window in OS X, but does not quit the application, and the "+" seems to maximize the size of the application window based on the content in the window, not maximizing it relative to the desktop itself.

Plunging Deeper

So, where has all this left me? My first comment would be that a long-time Windows user can readily make the transition to the Mac OS X world with few issues. With that transition you can make significant gain in your total user experience. What's more, in many respects I find the Windows on OS X under Parallels combination to be a "better Windows than Windows" (remember those old OS/2 commercials from IBM?). As my comfort and satisfaction with the Mac world has grown my interest in going further with it has increased in lockstep. Since we needed to replace an aging desktop computer used at home for general business and family use, I decided to purchase an iMac. This was delivered about 10 days ago and is now configured on the home network (more on this in a future column). About the same time, my wife's 4.5 year old BlackBerry stopped working, and we decided to replace it with an iPhone 4.

We are just starting to appreciate new aspects of a more extended Apple world, and are pleasantly surprised by the MACronomics of our new environment. Many people will acknowledge that there is a premium to be paid for Apple hardware. Based on my experience so far, that premium is worth it for the increase in total user experience that I have observed. The journey has been most enjoyable so far. Along the journey so far I have discovered a few gems, some based in the Mac world (Pixelmator is one) and some in the iPhone world. In future columns I will continue to write about my experiences as I learn more about these platforms. Has your experience echoed mine? I'd be interested in any of your comments about your Apple experiences and how you are maximizing the use of your Apple products.

Brad Wasson is a self-confessed technology lover and management consultant living in Atlantic Canada. Brad is presently transitioning to the Mac world and is bringing along all his photos, video, and other digital media. He figures he has some work to do to bring along his wife, daughter and son, and Sheltie, but he's up to the challenge!

Do you enjoy using new hardware, software and accessories, then sharing your experience with others? Then join us on the Thoughts Media Review Team! We're looking for individuals who find it fun to test new gear and give their honest opinions about the experience. It's a volunteer role with some great perks. Interested? Then click here for more information.


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