Filed under: OS
Microsoft manager admits to copying 'Mac look and feel,' MS denies
We've been saying it for years, but everyone thought that we Mac-heads had a chip on our shoulder from the once-sour relationship with Microsoft. Finally, however, the truth has come to light; a group manager from Microsoft has gone on record and admitted the source of some of Windows 7's prettier bits and pieces.Simon Aldous sat down with PCR for an interview and when he was asked to comment on the agility of Redmond's latest operating system, he had this to say:
While I am glad that people at Microsoft are finally accepting the superiority of OS X, it still stung a little when Simon started to backtrack saying that Vista was more stable than OS X."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."
Update: It looks like the Windows team had a few things to say about Simon's earlier remarks, noting that "his comments were inaccurate and uninformed." It is, in my opinion, difficult to deny that the OS X Dock has had a positive impact on how people use their computers -- whether they be PCs or Macs. That being said, I'm glad Microsoft didn't take this one lying down.
[via Engadget]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
solarpos said 7:36PM on 11-11-2009
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.
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)ROFL( said 11:02PM on 11-11-2009
Deleting my comments TUAW? My my...lets try again...
This story is complete monkeypopp, no less.
http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/11/11/how- we-really-designed-the-look-and-feel-of-windows-7.aspx
Aron Trimble said 11:31PM on 11-11-2009
Thanks ROFL for pointing this out!
)ROFL( said 11:34PM on 11-11-2009
No problem, Aron. Do excuse my language. =)
Michael said 8:04AM on 11-12-2009
"This story is complete bullshit, no less."
It would be obvious to a child that they *did* try to copy.
Simon Aldous evidently thought a little honesty would do Microsoft good. The Microserfs at the "Steamblog" -- "steam": what? -- didn't think honesty the best policy.
So what?
Anyway, it's still Windows underneath. I'll pass.
Vince said 7:38PM on 11-11-2009
Well, obviously Simon is a crackhead.
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Justin D said 7:41PM on 11-11-2009
Don't you feel better now, Microsoft? That's it, that's it… let it out… c'mon, it's okay big guy.
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TS Low said 7:42PM on 11-11-2009
I like the part aboutWindows 7 being more stable. it is. If you can get it to install. It's pretty stable sitting in a box on the desk.
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ack154 said 7:56PM on 11-11-2009
I'm running Windows 7 Pro right now and have zero complaints thus far... of course I'm only sitting a few feet away from my Macbook, should anything go awry.
Seriously though, my Windows 7 purchase was my first ever Microsoft OS purchase (got XP free from college years ago) and I'm satisfied. Got an OEM copy on sale via Newegg.
Now as for it being more stable than OS X... I don't know about that, it is WAY too early to make that kind of determination - but the stability of my Macbook leads me to believe Windows 7 will have to prove to be a HELL of an OS before it can really make that claim.
Shawn said 7:56PM on 11-11-2009
@TS Low: "TS Low said 7:42PM on 11-11-2009
I like the part aboutWindows 7 being more stable. it is. If you can get it to install. It's pretty stable sitting in a box on the desk."
Exactly. I have the RC, and have YET to get it to install on anything. Gets to 86% and hangs...
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Jordan said 8:05PM on 11-11-2009
What the hell are you installing it on? I've installed the beta, rc, and final gold on many machines, all of them working beautifully. Note to you, windows 7 will not run on hardware designed for windows 95.
ack154 said 7:59PM on 11-11-2009
I'm running Windows 7 Pro right now and have zero complaints thus far... of course I'm only sitting a few feet away from my Macbook, should anything go awry.
Seriously though, my Windows 7 purchase was my first ever Microsoft OS purchase (got XP free from college years ago) and I'm satisfied. Got an OEM copy on sale via Newegg. Took literally 20 min to install a clean copy. No hiccups. No problems.
Now as for it being more stable than OS X... I don't know about that, it is WAY too early to make that kind of determination - but the stability of my Macbook leads me to believe Windows 7 will have to prove to be a HELL of an OS before it can really make that claim.
Reply
ack154 said 7:59PM on 11-11-2009
Stupid, stupid comment setup.
Wait... no, it was Windows 7's fault.
Jordan said 8:02PM on 11-11-2009
"Microsoft are finally accepting the superiority of OS X,"
They are accepting any superiority of OSX as to how it functions, only the look. Thank god they didn't completely copy the annoying annoying always in the way dock. What they've created is much better and more fuctional.
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Urbz said 8:16PM on 11-11-2009
I think what you were trying to say was:
"They are not accepting superiority of OS X with regard to its functionality, only its UI. Thank god they didn't completely copy the overly annoying, always-in-the-way, dock. What they've created is much better and more functional."
You would have known not to make at least 2 of those mistakes if you used OS X, where we have a system-wide spell-checker available in every Cocoa-based application. Windows 7 anyone?
Sorry. :(
macserv said 10:02PM on 11-11-2009
The new task bar in Windows 7 goes a long way toward emulating the Dock's functionality. And are you saying the task bar in Windows Vista and prior hasn't been in the way of anything?
Jordan said 11:05PM on 11-11-2009
@Macserv:
The taskbar in all versions of Windows 95 and on does not cover up my windows. How many times while using osx have my programs gotten stuck behind the dock. Sure you can make it smaller - and then you can't see it. Sure you can hide it - and then you move the mouse to the bottom or side and up pops its ugly face again. It offers horrible window management.
The taskbar in 7 is more dock like than ever, nobody is denying it. However, it's also more like a giant quick launch, which Windows has always had. The big advantage of the taskbar in windows 7 is the great window management. Nobody can deny it.
puhsitch said 12:30AM on 11-12-2009
I dunno...I personally like that the dock doesn't force me to lose screen space when it's visible. And I've found that keeping it on the side of the screen rather than the bottom works rather nicely.
Jordan said 10:25AM on 11-12-2009
How does have a bunch of icons that cover up your windows not force you to lose screen space?
puhsitch said 8:35PM on 11-12-2009
Jordan: Because the space is still usable? The dock itself is only as big as you want it to be. Plus, the portion that takes up space doesn't have to be opaque when it's visible.