Ten ways OS X rocks

What sold me on switching in 2004 was the fact that OS X does so many little things right, without asking me to do several extra steps.

Examples:
* Built-in PDF support - I didn't have to download Acrobat Reader.
* Built-in image preview - I didn't have to download a slideshow program.
* No special drivers needed for sound, graphics, and basic functions of the computer.
* No need to install a new printer driver if I'm on the go.
* Uninstalls are a one-step process (usually) instead of requiring me to navigate around.
* Separate compression tools aren't needed. I don't need to pay for WinZip to have decent file management.

. . .and so on.

My process for installing Windows was always a pain in the neck, because I ended up spending the day installing a half-dozen programs and utilities before I could do even basic things like web-browsing with full function, or viewing files of specific kinds.

What I like about OS X is that it's not several steps to accomplish something. It's usually only one, and it doesn't freak out when you do something unexpected or that it's not prepared to handle.

- The START menu hurts my brain...
- Why is windows always using a flashlight to look for files ? That ridiculous animation is probably slowing my search down.
- Explorer? Isn't the +/- 'list' view a bit archaic at this point. Where's column view? I couldn't even imagine cover flow happening here either.
- Quickview, Expose, Spaces, Spotlight - these are great innovations that help me personally, utilize a very efficient workflow. I find NO efficeincy in Windows - half the time I spend is figuring out why it's doing what.

Finder/explorer issues aside... God forbid I have to reinstall Windows using a generic/retail installer... I need what driver? For what? Proceed to open computer to read tiny manufacturer/model info on card.

FWIW though, people are used to what they're used to. People resist change. I understand the aforementioned gripes, but give credit to those who still work around them. You all must still love your macs!

Besides, Windows is so...90's

There seems to be an airing of a lot of gripes here with Mac OS X, which is good because there are issues that I'm sure all of us come across.

But regarding this Finder v. Explorer one I have to say one thing I really enjoy about Finder is that when I VPN to my office and I'm searching around the server for a file I like that Finder remembers where I've been. So when I go to look in a folder I've been in that day it's like clicking through a local file structure, the only slowdown is when I want to open the file. Explorer has no memory at all as to where I've been, even if I'm back stepping! So going through the server on my XP machine means each step takes a few minutes for Explorer to see what files are in the folder to display to me. God forbid I push back to many times, the window goes all white and says (Not responding).

For it's imperfections, I find it's memory to be a great time saver for someone who works from home. Plus I like it comes pretty well pre-organized and like someone else mentioned it should remind new users of iTunes. But I always love to see improvements so we need the complainers to be loud! Otherwise Apple won't do anything.

"Essentially, the famous Fitts’ Law says that users are more productive with the mouse when they have less distance to travel and a larger target to click on to do their tasks."

Surely in-window menubars give much shorter travel distances, even if they do present smaller targets without hard edges? They certainly provide an advantage with more than one monitor. I actually stopped using my second display with OSX, because this was so irritating. If the menubar followed focus from one display to another, this might help.

"Mac doesn’t force you to focus on a single window, but keeps them all visible in the background ensuring a more efficient workflow. However this might be a thing of taste and getting used to."

It IS a question of taste. I don't want to see other windows while I'm working; I have Exposé for that. The number of apps and workarounds that are about for simulating full-screen mode or hiding background windows suggests that I'm not alone in this. All it'd take is a checkbox in System Preferences saying "Zoom to fill screen".

I just got an imac last week and there are lots of things that annoy me right off the bat.
1. I want to see the file size in the status bar when i click on the file. Right click to GET INFO stinks.
2. Why can't I have only my picture folders in thumbnail mode and have osx remember that? I like my music in list format. I can do that with xp.
3. When I open an image and drag the corner of the window, wouldn't it be intuitive for osx to enlarge the damn picture as well?
4. I delete a file off any thumbdrive and it's still full! It's more intuitive in windows. Delete, gone.
5. Why the hell would I want to wait 59 seconds more to shut down? I don't want to click 3 times to shut down right away.
6. Dragging, copying, and dropping is such a task. Sometimes it drags, sometimes it stays. Sometimes I have to hold the apple button at the same time as dragging. Windows is constant. My actions are translated by XP the same way, every time.
7. Every time I open my movies folder, osx needs to redraw the thumbnails. WHY???? Is there a patent on the thumbs.db idea?

Why does TUAW insist on evangelizing OS X? We're here, aren't we? You don't need to sell us on the experience. Give us another iPhone post.

Actually, when I first got my Macbook a few years ago after being a Windows user (with Unix in college), I was absolutely mystified.

- What were those strange hieroglyphics in the menus? (Option and Escape)

- What is a "damage" file? It looks like a folder. Why do I "eject" a folder?

- In Finder, dragging a folder into a folder that already contains that name replaces the contents of the folder instead of merging the two. That was quite unexpected.

- Sometimes I can use the keyboard to dismiss a dialog or choose an alternative option. Sometimes I can't.

- I mis-clicked on the Dock and HOLY CRAP MY APPLICATION JUST EXPLODED IN A PUFF OF SMOKE!

I'm sure there are others. Mac OS X is a great OS, but I find the comments that it is more "intuitive" than any other popular operating system out there is a specious claim. They're all based on the WIMP metaphor, each with its own idiosyncrasies.

I know of more than 9 ways OS9 rocked. Just saying.

I am a big fan boy of Mac.
I persuade everyone around me to buy Mac.

However Finder really sucks compare with Windows Explorer.

Different window size while clicking around;
sometimes forget window size;
no reaction when waiting for Networking Drive or Hard Drive spin up;
moving files around is painful,
too much to detail;

even as a Mac fan boy I have to admit Explorer works much better.

Shhhhh....keep the best kept secret about owning a Mac a secret.

Personally, I hope OS X doesn't grow too large. I think having a small community is what keeps Application polish so high; that and great a API. People just don't write software for the platform, they LOVE writing software for the platform--and it shows.