vectronicsappleworld.com — Apple Computer is responsible for the mouse interface standard used by today's computers. Apple did not invent the mouse, but just like Apple's popularization of the graphical operating system, they made the mouse a fundamental part of the personal computer. The Apple mouse has been evolving since the early days of Lisa and Apple II.
Feb 3, 2007 View in Crawl 4
tupperbacharachFeb 4, 2007
***If you think that hideous Golem's Blackline (<a class="user" href="http://golem.sourceforge.net/themes/BlackLine.png">http://golem.sourceforge.net/themes/BlackLine.png</a> ) was ANY sort of inspiration to Apple designers for Mac OS X, then you're out of your mind. Even comparing the two is ludicrous.***Perhaps I should have explained the story a little more, but let's not jump to fanatical conclusions. I did not say that obscure theme was an inspiration to Apple designers -- I doubt that more than 300 people have ever heard of the Golem window manager. (By the same token, I do not think that the Apple designers are all that they are cracked up to be.) I was simply relating a funny reaction from an Apple fan who was intrigued by that theme. He had not seen anything other than defaults, like a lot of Apple/Windows users, and the design of the window frame fascinated him. I should add that he is also a trained, prolific designer (not affiliated with Apple, okay?).Now as to whether the theme is hideous or not, that is a matter of subjective opinion. I find the selection of Apple/Windows themes dull. My very creative, Apple-using, designer friend seemed to like Blackline. As I recall, I might have had a slightly different color scheme. I think it is a cool, minimalist theme, and, without a doubt, it is eminently usable. Also, it actually is interesting to see such a minimal window frame re-size. Golem had the beginnings of flashy animation which added to the eye-candy of this effect, but I never used it. Another neat thing about the Golem themes that have a space between the window frame and the body of the window -- one can click through that space to other icons and windows.In addition, it is great for the layman, end user to have such limitless configurability to make such unique themes (all of the Golem themes are contributed, as with other open source window managers, such as Enlightenment, Oroborus, Sawfish, etc.), and this capability seems to be lacking in OS X and Windows (although I'm fairly sure that there is a native OS X port of Oroborus).Golem development has been stagnant for a few years, so I moved on, but I still use it on an old laptop.***5 years ago, Mac OS X was out and features transparency in the Terminal, so that doesn't make much sense.***You are right -- OS X did have transparency capability in the terminal, and I stand corrected in thinking that transparent terminals didn't appear in OS X until recently.***If anything, Golem's Blackline directly borrows (poorly) from Irix or NeXTSTEP -- both well over a decade old.***I think you must be reacting to the optional Golem "wharf", which is the row of squares containing icons. You are probably right, in that it was derived from one of the *STEP GUIs, but that is the only similarity I see. I have never seen a NeXTSTEP nor Irix theme that looks remotely like the rest of Golem Blackline. Here is an old, self-made theme in which the wharf appears as dotted squares: <a class="user" href="http://solutions-i.org/julius/images/000004.max.jpg">http://solutions-i.org/julius/images/000004.max.jpg</a>By the way, the interactive task bar/Dock first appeared in Windows 1.01 in 1985: <a class="user" href="http://toastytech.com/guis/bigw101.gif">http://toastytech.com/guis/bigw101.gif</a> (Sorry if you dislike the color scheme.)***Okay, I need to go. That screen capture made me want to vomit.***It is interesting that a mere theme would get such a strong reaction. I guess some have a repulsion for anything out of the ordinary.
sdotsenFeb 4, 2007
I'm a MAC user but the one button mouse is horrible!!! I've finally got used to the one button touchpad but it got a while to get used to.
mdmanFeb 5, 2007
Ya, and they still have not figured out Right Click... I always hated Apple mice
kinglensterFeb 12, 2007
The one thing that especially annoys me about Apple is the total crapness of their mice. They have gone from bad to worse. I'd sooner have one of those Apple II mice than that monstrosity they call the Mighty Mouse. I gave mine away for nothing.Microsoft must laugh so hard whenever Apple announce a new mouse design. I never ever understood the whole one-button thing. Get a grip and put another button on your mice Apple.
jasonsalasApr 9, 2007
I've wondered (<a class="user" href="http://www.jasonsalas.com/2007/04/do-apple-mice-produce-their-own-form-of.html)">http://www.jasonsalas.com/2007/04/do-apple-mice-produce-their-own-form-of.html)</a> if Apple mice produce their own unique form of CTS apart from Windows and Linux mousing devices.