MacOS Ideas is a Graphical FAQ based on an ongoing discussion about how the Macintosh Operating System could be enhanced.
How does this discussion work? After each version is distributed, participants (like yourself) send feedback to my email address. (Participants are also encouraged to send original ideas to be explored.) As feedback comes in, the FAQ is updated and redistributed. Participants then send feedback about the new FAQ, and the discussion is continued...
It should be noted that each "upgrade" to the FAQ is designed as an experiment. As such, the latest revision may or may not be an improvement over the previous version. However, this should not be considered a weakness in the discussion format, as we will learn more about OS enhancement as we study the improvements as well as the flaws.
New In Version 2.2
This revision corrects a few "mistakes" I missed before Version 2.1 was released. Most notably, I've revised the enhancements to more closely match Apple's interface guidelines (shaded items are hidden, outlined items are selected, etc.) Additionally, the scroll bar was updated to represent the portion of the window which is currently visible.
The Enhancements
Icons Of All Launched Applications Displayed In The Menubar
The icon of each active application should be displayed in the menubar rather than in a pull-down menu. Clicking on an icon brings that application to the front. Dragging a document onto an icon opens the document within that application. If there isn't enough space in the menubar to display the icon of each active application, scroll buttons appear.
The icon of the top-most application is outlined. The icon of each hidden application is shaded. The icons are rearranged each time an application is launched or quit, but do not change positions when switching from one active application to another.
Each application icon also serves as a pull-down menu. Menu items include: "Hide <Application>", "Hide Others", "Show All", and the names (and icons) of all windows currently active in that application (abbreviated if necessary.) The name and icon of each hidden window is shaded.
Menu Configurable Control Panels
Control Panels should be complimented by scripts which allow users to change their configuration via hierarchical menus. (See "Monitors" in the example PICT.) Selected items are marked with a check mark. Any controls which cannot be adjusted via a menu are adjusted from within the "Monitor Setup..." control panel. Another possible menu-driven item is a CD-ROM drive (allowing menu access to play, pause, eject, and change tracks of an Audio CD.)
Meaningful Scroll Bars
Scroll bars should signify the percentage of the window that is currently displayed (by adjusting the size of the bar.)
Folder Background Patterns
Folders should support background patterns (See the "President" folder in the example PICT.) Background PICTs are assigned to folders using a control panel.
Tear-Off Menus
Holding down a user-defined key combination while opening a pull-down menu should cause the menu to become a floating palette.
Updated PowerTalk and QuickDraw GX
PowerTalk and QuickDraw GX should be updated to allow Mailboxes, Catalogs, and Desktop Printers to be moved into folders on the Hard Drive. Each user of a computer should have their own folder, with their own Mailbox and Catalogs.
New Mailbox icons should be developed, with different icons grapihcally representing the current status of the mailbox (a flag up would signify unsent mail, an envelope sticking out of mailbox would signify unread mail, etc.) In addition, the PowerTalk Mailbox should have the ability to sort incoming mail, according to source and/or subject, into subfolders within the mailbox.
Special Thanks
Hans E. Omli would like to thank Andreas C. Bauer, John M. Crump, Morgan Fisher, Jay Goldman, Michael E. Graben, Keith Marshall, and the many others who sent feedback which has lead to this revision of MacOS Ideas. Keep 'em coming!
Contact Information
Please send feedback to "omli@halcyon.com" with the subject "MacOS Feedback".
To receive future versions of MacOS Ideas by email, send email to omli@halcyon.com with the subject "Add Me Please".
