TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Jan 98 Viewpoint

Volume Number: 14 (1998)
Issue Number: 1
Column Tag: Viewpoint

Viewpoint

by Eric Gundrum

A Call for a More Open Mac OS

In recent years, most Macintosh developers have looked to Apple to provide the innovation of the Macintosh platform. We had no choice. To change the look and feel of main components of the operating system meant unreliable, system-wide patches, and these left the developer to the whim of Apple engineers who changed the underlying data structures, on which the developer's patches relied, just because they could. This is a tough area to make a business, but some developers still stuck it out. Nonetheless, there are fewer such products available today, and they generally receive the blame before anything else for unexpected system behavior, rightly or wrongly.

It seems clear that the new Apple no longer has the resources to be as innovative as they once were; we developers have to do more of it ourselves. However, Apple can still help; they can start opening the OS to make it easier for third party developers to replace complete components for the entire system.

Recently, Apple has been developing support for multiple themes to provide the user with choices for the overall look and feel of the Mac interface. I just hope they go far enough. This technology can allow independent developers to produce alternative interface themes. We can have a Windows 95 theme to help the Mac better fit in Wintel environments. We can have a cartoon theme for the kids. Novices can have themes making it easier to learn their way around a computer. Expert users can have themes which allow them to be more productive. Because Apple (hopefully) is clearly defining the API between the various components of themes, we developers can easily explore new interface technologies without the risk of unreliable system patches.

If Apple opens the system enough, and in the right places, we can fix their mistakes (like the gray menus and window backgrounds of the Mac OS 8 Finder) and we can try out new things. In fact, I'd very much like to see a stronger separation between the Finder and the general operation of the operating system. (After all, the Finder is just another application, isn't it?) There are great opportunities to provide alternatives to the Finder. Some people want a Finder alternative that takes less RAM, and they are willing to give up features to get it. I'd like a Finder that makes better use of sound and motion to enhance productivity.

Does anyone remember Sonic Finder and Motion Finder of the late 1980s? Sonic Finder provided audible feedback to various Finder activities such as copying, moving and trashing files. Motion Finder allowed icons and windows to be thrown across the screen. Instead of dragging an icon from the upper left corner of a 20 inch display to the trash in the lower right corner, a simple flick of the wrist was enough to send the icon sailing in the direction of the Trash. If my aim was good enough, the icon made it in, and the file was deleted. There was even a version that combined these features. These tools were developed as explorations in alternative interfaces. Apple probably abandoned them because they would not work for a majority of users. Unfortunately, those of us on the fringe were abandoned in the process.

Now, if only Apple would open up the OS enough that we developers could plug in our own alternative interfaces, then we could again see some real innovation on the Macintosh.

Navigation Services, an Open Design?

One example of Apple moving in the right direction is their Navigation Services technology. This will be a replacement for the Standard File package we have all come to love and hate. Navigation Services will provide a new file system navigation interface for all applications that use it. It is supposed to provide a variety of hooks for developers to enhance its capabilities. I am hoping that with this new technology, Apple also allows developers to write complete replacements of the Navigation Services libraries. Apple is going to the trouble to define the API between Navigation Services and all applications and the API to the file system, Apple also should be open enough to let us developers completely replace the Navigation Services with our own version if we think we have a better idea how to implement it.

There are many similar opportunities for Apple to isolate collections of capabilities into separate libraries, encourage application developers to make use of the new libraries, and allow users to replace those libraries with alternatives written by other developers. (Text Services should be foremost on everyone's mind.) This approach to system software development is similar, in principle, to the component nature of OpenDoc. Rather than have all OS operations dictated by Apple, users could choose to replace Apple's standard behaviors with alternatives that better suit their needs.

Now, I don't advocate that Apple try to turn the Mac OS into another OpenDoc. There are a variety of factors that contributed to the demise of OpenDoc, but there also were some worthwhile features of that technology. We should not throw them all away simply because OpenDoc failed. As long as Apple sticks with their current policy of improving the OS incrementally, they will successfully avoid the single biggest reason for the failure of OpenDoc, QuickDraw GX, PowerTalk and others. Apple has to ease us into using the new technologies one step at a time, and as the hardware advances to support them, that the size of the OS doubles with every release, rather than dump so much on us at once.

Most of all, I want Apple to open the entire OS to third party enhancements, but cleanly. Then I can buy or write my own innovations if I don't like what Apple is supplying.

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

ESET Cyber Security 6.11.414.0 - Basic i...
ESET Cyber Security provides powerful protection against phishing, viruses, worms, and spyware. Offering similar functionality to ESET NOD32 Antivirus for Windows, ESET Cyber Security for Mac allows... Read more
Opera 105.0.4970.29 - High-performance W...
Opera is a fast and secure browser trusted by millions of users. With the intuitive interface, Speed Dial and visual bookmarks for organizing favorite sites, news feature with fresh, relevant content... Read more
Slack 4.35.131 - Collaborative communica...
Slack brings team communication and collaboration into one place so you can get more work done, whether you belong to a large enterprise or a small business. Check off your to-do list and move your... Read more
Viber 21.5.0 - Send messages and make fr...
Viber lets you send free messages and make free calls to other Viber users, on any device and network, in any country! Viber syncs your contacts, messages and call history with your mobile device, so... Read more
Hazel 5.3 - Create rules for organizing...
Hazel is your personal housekeeper, organizing and cleaning folders based on rules you define. Hazel can also manage your trash and uninstall your applications. Organize your files using a familiar... Read more
Duet 3.15.0.0 - Use your iPad as an exte...
Duet is the first app that allows you to use your iDevice as an extra display for your Mac using the Lightning or 30-pin cable. Note: This app requires a iOS companion app. Release notes were... Read more
DiskCatalogMaker 9.0.3 - Catalog your di...
DiskCatalogMaker is a simple disk management tool which catalogs disks. Simple, light-weight, and fast Finder-like intuitive look and feel Super-fast search algorithm Can compress catalog data for... Read more
Maintenance 3.1.2 - System maintenance u...
Maintenance is a system maintenance and cleaning utility. It allows you to run miscellaneous tasks of system maintenance: Check the the structure of the disk Repair permissions Run periodic scripts... Read more
Final Cut Pro 10.7 - Professional video...
Redesigned from the ground up, Final Cut Pro combines revolutionary video editing with a powerful media organization and incredible performance to let you create at the speed of thought.... Read more
Pro Video Formats 2.3 - Updates for prof...
The Pro Video Formats package provides support for the following codecs that are used in professional video workflows: Apple ProRes RAW and ProRes RAW HQ Apple Intermediate Codec Avid DNxHD® / Avid... Read more

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

New ‘Dysmantle’ iOS Update Adds Co-Op Mo...
We recently had a major update hit mobile for the open world survival and crafting adventure game Dysmantle ($4.99) from 10tons Ltd. Dysmantle was one of our favorite games of 2022, and with all of its paid DLC and updates, it is even better. | Read more »
PUBG Mobile pulls a marketing blinder wi...
Over the years, there have been a lot of different marketing gimmicks tried by companies and ambassadors, some of them land like Snoop Dog and his recent smoking misdirection, and some are just rather frustrating, let’s no lie. Tencent, however,... | Read more »
‘Goat Simulator 3’ Mobile Now Available...
Coffee Stain Publishing and Coffee Stain Malmo, the new mobile publishing studio have just released Goat Simulator 3 on iOS and Android as a premium release. Goat Simulator 3 debuted on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. This is the second... | Read more »
‘Mini Motorways’ Huge Aurora Borealis Up...
Mini Motorways on Apple Arcade, Nintendo Switch, and Steam has gotten a huge update today with the Aurora Borealis patch bringing in Reykjavik, new achievements, challenges, iCloud improvements on Apple Arcade, and more. Mini Motorways remains one... | Read more »
Fan-Favorite Action RPG ‘Death’s Door’ i...
Last month Netflix revealed during their big Geeked Week event a number of new titles that would be heading to their Netflix Games service. Among them was Acid Nerve and Devolver Digital’s critically acclaimed action RPG Death’s Door, and without... | Read more »
SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring...
Hello gentle reader, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for December 4th, 2023. I’ve been catching up on my work as much as possible lately, and that translates to a whopping six reviews for you to read today. The list includes Astlibra... | Read more »
‘Hi-Fi Rush’ Anniversary Interview: Dire...
Back in January, Tango Gameworks and Bethesda released one of my favorite games of all time with Hi-Fi Rush. As someone who adores character action and rhythm games, blending both together seemed like a perfect fit for my taste, but Hi-Fi Rush did... | Read more »
Best iPhone Game Updates: ‘Pizza Hero’,...
Hello everyone, and welcome to the week! It’s time once again for our look back at the noteworthy updates of the last seven days. Things are starting to chill out for the year, but we still have plenty of holiday updates ahead of us I’m sure. Some... | Read more »
New ‘Sonic Dream Team’ Performance Analy...
Sonic Dream Team (), the brand new Apple Arcade exclusive 3D Sonic action-platformer releases tomorrow. Read my in-depth interview with SEGA HARDLight here covering the game, future plans, potential 120fps, playable characters, the narrative, and... | Read more »
New ‘Zenless Zone Zero’ Trailer Showcase...
I missed this late last week, but HoYoverse released another playable character trailer for the upcoming urban fantasy action RPG Zenless Zone Zero. We’ve had a few trailers so far for playable characters, but the newest one focuses on Nicole... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

Apple is clearing out last year’s M1-powered...
Apple has Certified Refurbished 11″ M1 iPad Pros available starting at $639 and ranging up to $310 off Apple’s original MSRP. Each iPad Pro comes with Apple’s standard one-year warranty, features a... Read more
Save $50 on these HomePods available today at...
Apple has Certified Refurbished White and Midnight HomePods available for $249, Certified Refurbished. That’s $50 off MSRP and the lowest price currently available for a full-size Apple HomePod this... Read more
New 16-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pros are on sale f...
Holiday MacBook deals are live at B&H Photo. Apple 16″ MacBook Pros with M3 Pro CPUs are in stock and on sale for $200-$250 off MSRP. Their prices are among the lowest currently available for... Read more
Christmas Deal Alert! Apple AirPods Pro with...
Walmart has Apple’s 2023 AirPods Pro with USB-C in stock and on sale for $189.99 on their online store as part of their Holiday sale. Their price is $60 off MSRP, and it’s currently the lowest price... Read more
Apple has Certified Refurbished iPhone 12 Pro...
Apple has unlocked Certified Refurbished iPhone 12 Pro models in stock starting at $589 and ranging up to $350 off original MSRP. Apple includes a standard one-year warranty and new outer shell with... Read more
Holiday Sale: Take $50 off every 10th-generat...
Amazon has Apple’s 10th-generation iPads on sale for $50 off MSRP, starting at $399, as part of their Holiday Sale. Their discount applies to all models and all colors. With the discount, Amazon’s... Read more
The latest Mac mini Holiday sales, get one to...
Apple retailers are offering Apple’s M2 Mac minis for $100 off MSRP as part of their Holiday sales. Prices start at only $499. Here are the lowest prices available: (1): Amazon has Apple’s M2-powered... Read more
Save $300 on a 24-inch iMac with these Certif...
With the recent introduction of new M3-powered 24″ iMacs, Apple dropped prices on clearance M1 iMacs in their Certified Refurbished store. Models are available starting at $1049 and range up to $300... Read more
Apple M1-powered iPad Airs are back on Holida...
Amazon has 10.9″ M1 WiFi iPad Airs back on Holiday sale for $100 off Apple’s MSRP, with prices starting at $499. Each includes free shipping. Their prices are the lowest available among the Apple... Read more
Sunday Sale: Apple 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro on...
B&H Photo has new 14″ M3 MacBook Pros, in Space Gray, on Holiday sale for $150 off MSRP, only $1449. B&H offers free 1-2 day delivery to most US addresses: – 14″ 8-Core M3 MacBook Pro (8GB... Read more

Jobs Board

Mobile Platform Engineer ( *Apple* /AirWatch)...
…systems, installing and maintaining certificates, navigating multiple network segments and Apple /IOS devices, Mobile Device Management systems such as AirWatch, and Read more
Omnichannel Associate - *Apple* Blossom Mal...
Omnichannel Associate - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple Read more
Senior Product Manager - *Apple* - DISH Net...
…Responsibilities** We are seeking an ambitious, data-driven thinker to assist the Apple Product Development team as our Wireless Product division continues to grow Read more
Senior Product Manager - *Apple* - DISH Net...
…Responsibilities** We are seeking an ambitious, data-driven thinker to assist the Apple Product Development team as our Wireless Product division continues to grow Read more
Senior Software Engineer - *Apple* Fundamen...
…center of Microsoft's efforts to empower our users to do more. The Apple Fundamentals team focused on defining and improving the end-to-end developer experience in Read more
All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.