Mac OS X shortfalls and leaps
Since Apple announced Mac OS X, Mac users worldwide immediately got a picture of a futuristic, powerful, reliable operating system which they could shove in the face of their Windows using friends. When they got their hands on the Mac OS X public beta, they were thrilled to see some of the features they always dreamed about, and they were disappointed to see that features they already had and loved were missing. Apple then took feedback from the public beta to formulate a final release of Mac OS X, and we all eagerly waited to hear the outcome.
Apple announced on March 7, 2001 that it has released the GM (Gold Master) release to manufacturers (http://macvillage.net/macpr/pressreleases/98399519744948.shtml). Many things have changed since the public beta, here is a basic rundown:
Some bad news:
DVD playback support will not be available in this first release of Mac OS X. Support is expected to exist by the summer of 2001 as part of Mac OS X 10.1 or it may be available as a quick download.
ITunes and iMovie will not be available in Mac OS X right away, but are expected to be available on Apple’s web site as soon as they are ready.
Some Good news:
Toolbars are now completely customizable
Windows now behave like Mac OS 9, when you open content, it opens in a new windows rather than in the same window.
The Apple Menu has been redone and is now part of Mac OS X. Many believed that we were not ready to give up the beloved Apple Menu, so Apple integrated it into Mac OS X.
The clock is now in the menu bar rather than in the Dock.
Control strip like items are now available in the dock to help make up for loss of the control strip which many users felt was a severe loss.
True integration of iTools into Mac OS X has finally occurred, now you have full access to the iTools such as iDisk right in the OS. Although not officially announced, support for all other iTools utilities are expected to be available.
New feature called “get software” will allow users to learn about third party software.
Many have decided that the best way to get adjusted to Mac OS X will be to have a second hard drive and simply put Mac OS X on one, and Mac OS 9.1 on the other. Although Mac OS X does have classic, the duel drive option will allow you to just boot in Mac OS 9 rather than to have to switch to classic mode. Also it would be more efficient as far as RAM goes. Mac OS X will ship on new computers by the summer time, at that point it will be at version 10.1, and should include DVD support, iTunes, and iMovie. Many expect that this is when we will start to see developers releasing Mac OS X software.
