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Microsoft Manager: We Copied Mac OS X
Posted 11/12/09 at 07:30:30 AM by Paul Lilly
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Apple would argue that Microsoft has been ripping off its Mac OS GUI ever since Windows was first introduced, a notion Microsoft has dismissed on more than one occasion. That being the case, we're willing to bet the Redmond company isn't too thrilled that one of its managers is flapping his gums about Windows 7 taking a liberal cue from Mac OS X.
"One of the things that people say an awful lot about the Apple Mac is that the OS is fantastic, that it's very graphical and easy to use," said Simon Aldous, partner group manager with Microsoft. "What we've tried to do with Windows 7 -- whether it's traditional format or in a touch format -- is create a Mac look and feel in terms of graphics."
Spending a little time with the redesigned Taskbar is all it takes to see what Aldous is talking about, and it's not too difficult to find other similarities, either. And that's not necessarily a bad thing, though it's not something you want to flaunt if you're Microsoft, or one of Microsoft's managers. These types of admissions have a way of ending up twisted, taken out of context, and capitalized on by Mac OS pitchmen Justin Long and John Hodgman.
Image Credit: techmph.com
Really?
Submitted by ExarKun1138 on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 5:39pm
I am using Windows 7 Pro. now and have used Mac's OSX SL quite a few times, and I must say there really isn't THAT much in common with the two OS's. Yes, they ae both GUI's, but so what! At one time we had Atari ST's and Commodore Amiga's with GUI's as well. The "task bars" couldn't be more different, and the fact that Mac's OS keeps a "file menu" at the top of the screen at all times is completely different than Win7(or Vista or XP or ME or 2000, etc.). Visually, Win7 is the more "pretty" OS. Mac's OSX looks and feels more like something you'd use on a game console. The "Icon Tray" is simply absurd, with stackable icons that after a while start to look like mini Tower's of Pisa! They are also FAR LARGER on the screen than the ones in Win7's taskbar. Also, Win7's taskbar is more functional and the preview windows are way cool!
And I could go on, but all-in-all, the two OS's have SOME, and I do stress SOME similarities, but aside from that, they function and perform very differently with Win7 being the more intuitive and actually easier to use!
And, OSX crashes, ALOT! I'm surprised Microsoft hasn't jumped on this yet. But so far, Microsoft's ads for Win7 are much better than Apple's now WAY outdated and silly ads because Microsoft SHOWS the OS, points out cool features, and never ONCE mentions OSX. Apple could learn a thing or two from Microsoft's ads! Apple's ads are now, and have been, looking more like nasty "political style" mud slinging ads than actual informative ads.
Oh, and Justin Long is a dork!
Submitted by mudie on Sat, 12/12/2009 - 2:37am
We've seen it time and time again in advertising, pick any industry or product and it's always the same. (Anyone remember the cola wars?)
In this case the leader [Windows] simply advertises from the stance of "Try our product, here's what we have to offfer, we think you'll like it." while the underdog [Apple and their 'Mac vs. PC' ads] can only whine "Pick us, the big guy is really a loser!".
All of which has the effect of making them (Apple) look petty.
Forget the comparisons people, just go with what works for you, Apple, Windows, it really doesn't matter. I've used both and for me Windows 7 is the clear winner. Try it, you'll be amazed out how nice it is, regardless of what the MS exec said in regards to making 7 'like' Mac.
Submitted by DasHellMutt on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 12:04pm
Lets remember our history. Microsoft has always taken Apple's design ideas and built functionality around them. That's been true since the earliest versions of Windows. And lets not forget that Apple ripped off the entire concept of the GUI from Xerox anyway.
I think that's a great thing because Microsoft has never been able to design anything astheticaly pleasing on their own. The default looks of XP proves that point. On the other hand Apple is all about style over substance. Microsoft takes Apple's pretty design and builds a real OS under it. The consumer gets the best of both worlds. Nothing wrong with that. I have thought for a long time Microsoft should just buy Apple and relegate them to being their in-house design team.
Stardock
Submitted by Obsidian on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 9:41am
For years now people have been able to customize the Windows Interface through sites like Stardock to look like ANYTHING they wanted. Even OSX Leapord if you really wanted. You could even make the interface look like a video game (Left 4 Dead Windows interface was on this site a day ago).
I don't really see what the big deal is. We find something we like using, and we emulate the usage of that item and improve upon it if we can. That's called development, on any level.
In my experience Windows has
Submitted by Xylogeist on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 8:45am
In my experience Windows has only copied one single thing from Mac and it was MINOR. All the rumors about Windows copying Mac is mostly a sham. Mac copying windows on the other hand... hehe
Mac Sux
Submitted by N25PHILLY on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 8:43am
kind of like taking osx and doing it right? Whenever I go on my mackbook it's frustrating because the OS feels like it is designed by a spastic 5 year old. I'm sure it's fine for people who only work on 1 thing at a time, but it's garbage for multitaskers. Win 7 with stuff like aero peak is just a dream come true.
What Microsoft needs to copy
Submitted by Ntldr on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 8:34am
What Microsoft needs to copy from Linux and Apple is the use of the Unix Kernel, and maybe a new file system to go with it. Or even making something like it and calling it by their own name or something.
Both Linux and Apple use
Submitted by gendoikari1 on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 5:24pm
Both Linux and Apple use derivatives (Linux kernel/hybrid of 4.3BSD and Mach) of the Unix kernel, and also what's wrong with NTFS? They shouldn't make up a new filesystem, they should allow Windows on other filesystems (like ext4 for example).
aaaaand watch ever Windows
Submitted by nekollx on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 11:25am
aaaaand watch ever Windows app stop working on Windex 8
------------------------------
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Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Submitted by gendoikari1 on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 7:59am
I've never heard of this "Max OS X". You might want to fix that.
I think MS should copy OSX
Submitted by DBsantos77 on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 7:35am
I think MS should copy OSX all they can and improve on everything that they copy. Expose is a perfect example.
-Santos
Submitted by LatiosXT on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 9:31am
I never really got what the heck is the excitement about Expose. Sure it pulls up all your currently running apps on screen and supposedly this helps with multitasking, but I've been doing just fine with Alt+Tab for years, and Aero provides a basic "Expose" of that anyway. Sure Flip 3D could be improved, but I don't really care. I find Alt+Tab better for snappiness.
And while I also think thumbnails are nice, I also believe unless you're really forgetful, why would you need it? Sure all these "Wow!" features are nice, but they get old.
Submitted by ExarKun1138 on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 6:57am
Win7 and OSX couldn't be more different.
That dude is sooo going to
Submitted by Tekzel on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 6:27am
That dude is sooo going to get in trouble. Sure, while there may be some passing similarities in some areas, would anyone but a fervent mac fanboy claim Apple has never borrowed a single idea from Windows?
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