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waffffffle · Jun 17, 2003, 02:29 PM

I have a job this summer where I am given an HP notebook to use. I would really like to make this experience as painless as possible. So far it has been pretty annoying. Even though I have plenty of Windows experience, using a PC as my primary computer all day is frustrating. Thankfully it has a trackpad, so I don't have to use the little red eraser-head pointing thing. However it took me a long time to figure out how to disable clicking on the trackpad, which I don't like, and Windows doesn't have a "ignore trackpad while typing" feature I have been accidentally clicking on things for quite a while.

So now I am trying to make my user experience a bit more pleasant. The computer is running Windows 2000. Is there any way that I can make the computer a bit more Mac-like? I tried some Mac themes but they look pretty ugly in comparison to the real thing. Should I try another web browser? Can I possibly get rid of these ugly screen fonts? Is there a way to get font smoothing that actually looks good? Any other ideas?

Thanks.

starman · Jun 17, 2003, 02:41 PM

Best you could do is become familiar with http://www.neowin.net and check out people's screenshots. They usually post what they're running. Another site, for the software, is http://www.objectdesktop.com

Mike

jszrules · Jun 17, 2003, 02:56 PM

Hi, I had to fight for a Mac at my summer job last week. Maybe if we work at the same place I can help you out

. (I also live near Princeton. You never know when coincidences may occur!)

philzilla · Jun 17, 2003, 04:02 PM

during the day, i have to use a Compaq desktop, running XP. i just deal with it, then come home to a civilised world. easy.

JB72 · Jun 17, 2003, 07:23 PM

If you dig through here you might find something decent.

Mediaman_12 · Jun 18, 2003, 05:01 AM

I have found it best not to try and make it to similar. It's Windows, it works different. I applyed a (very good) OSX a like skin on to my work PC, added OSX icons ect, even a Dock & OSX look a like IE toolbar

The problem was, I had been too sucessfull. It looked so much like my Mac I kept trying to do things the 'Mac way'. No matter how much you make it look like your mac, you can't make it 'work' the same.

lookmark · Jun 18, 2003, 08:19 AM

I'm using XP at the company I'm currently at (only for the next few months).

I completely agree with Mediaman12 above. Windows works differently; don't spend hours and hours trying to make it ape the Mac. It'll always be off-kilter and just slightly (or not so slightly) wrong.

Here's what I found works best:

- Download Firebird to replace IE.
- Turn off every animation effect you can see, except perhaps show window contents while dragging.
- Disable all of the moronic cartoon assistants. (XP only)
- If you're using a LCD monitor, turn on ClearType. Otherwise, leave it off. (XP only)

I don't like the Luna theme, and use Windows Classic, which make it look exactly like Win 2000, but it's still a bit depressingly gray. If anyone has an attractive (but not lurid, or absurdly "3-d" and shiny) theme to suggest, I'd love to hear. Compared to OS X, theming seems to be a real wasteland in Windowsland...

Mediaman_12 · Jun 18, 2003, 03:44 PM

Originally posted by lookmark:
I don't like the Luna theme, and use Windows Classic, which make it look exactly like Win 2000, but it's still a bit depressingly gray. If anyone has an attractive (but not lurid, or absurdly "3-d" and shiny) theme to suggest, I'd love to hear. Compared to OS X, theming seems to be a real wasteland in Windowsland...

The only thing I hate the look of more than Luna is the 'Classic' theme. There are a few nice and stylish (IMHO) alternatives though.
DMX found this this week not to flat, but not to 'lumpy'.
_Watercolor lite The best version of the original XP interface, before MS got a look at Aqua.
,and at Studio.Twenty.Eight has loads of XP themes that are also on OSX (some subtle ones two), Milk worked really well. I used it for a few weeks.

lookmark · Jun 18, 2003, 08:55 PM

Originally posted by Mediaman_12:
The only thing I hate the look of more than Luna is the 'Classic' theme.

I like *parts* of Luna, but the overwhelming, industrial-strength blueness of it reallygrates on me. I find the Win 2000 look clunky and drab, but usable.

It's all relative.

There are a few nice and stylish (IMHO) alternatives though.
DMX found this this week not to flat, but not to 'lumpy'.
_Watercolor lite The best version of the original XP interface, before MS got a look at Aqua.
,and at Studio.Twenty.Eight has loads of XP themes that are also on OSX (some subtle ones two), Milk worked really well. I used it for a few weeks.

Thanks! Watercolor looks intriguing -- I'll have to check it out. Studio 28 has some nice ones too, though I generally veer away from anything that's even remotely OS-Xy. I'm a purist, I suppose.

kmkkid · Jun 18, 2003, 09:58 PM

<shameless_plug> I Highly suggest using the watercolor theme! </shameless_plug>

Chris

kmkkid · Jun 18, 2003, 09:59 PM

Originally posted by lookmark:
I like *parts* of Luna, but the overwhelming, industrial-strength blueness of it reallygrates on me. I find the Win 2000 look clunky and drab, but usable.

It's all relative.

Thanks! Watercolor looks intriguing -- I'll have to check it out. Studio 28 has some nice ones too, though I generally veer away from anything that's even remotely OS-Xy. I'm a purist, I suppose.

Have you tried the silver variant? It's the best one of the three, and looks decent.

When I do use luna, (which hasnt been in over a year) I choose the silver substyle and make the titlebar 20 pixels. Then it's not too bad at all.

Chris

moreno · Jun 19, 2003, 12:48 AM

but it's still a bit depressingly gray.

Like a 20 year SO from Apple!
---

Come on, what you understand by "Make it Mac like"?
Windows is easy to use; maybe more than a Mac - Windows lets you customize your way to work, one thing that you can't do on Mac OS X.

<macblablablagoesnext>

squish · Jun 19, 2003, 12:56 AM

Does Windows have a Dock that can be placed anywhere?

Does Windows have spring-loaded folders?

Does it allow you to hide programs?

Does it have Camino or Safari?

Launhbar?

big, informative menubar items?

etc.

moreno · Jun 19, 2003, 01:21 AM

Does Windows have a Dock that can be placed anywhere?
Yes. You can have more than 1 "dock" (the OS X dock can't be placed anywhere anyway). Right button on taskbar: you create docks and attach to any edge of the screen, floating, or even, inside taskbar.

Does Windows have spring-loaded folders?
-Nop. But windows has an explorer view of folders with a second panel to view its files that allow drag and drop.

Does it allow you to hide programs?
Yes. Click the application button right in taskbar to hide/show the application...
Also when you have too much instances of one app non-MDI like IE, XP organize that in a single button.

Does it have Camino or Safari?
Yes. Safari isn't a finished product. You have Internet Explorer that works on every site.

Launhbar?
Yes. You can have how many you want.

big, informative menubar items?
Yes. Systray.

etc.

engaged · Jun 19, 2003, 03:50 AM

Originally posted by moreno:
Does Windows have a Dock that can be placed anywhere?
Yes. You can have more than 1 "dock" (the OS X dock can't be placed anywhere anyway). Right button on taskbar: you create docks and attach to any edge of the screen, floating, or even, inside taskbar.

Does Windows have spring-loaded folders?
-Nop. But windows has an explorer view of folders with a second panel to view its files that allow drag and drop.

Does it allow you to hide programs?
Yes. Click the application button right in taskbar to hide/show the application...
Also when you have too much instances of one app non-MDI like IE, XP organize that in a single button.

Does it have Camino or Safari?
Yes. Safari isn't a finished product. You have Internet Explorer that works on every site.

Launhbar?
Yes. You can have how many you want.

big, informative menubar items?
Yes. Systray.

etc.

Thanks for that - just learned more about using the PC than I have since I got it!

kmkkid · Jun 19, 2003, 04:58 AM

Originally posted by squish:
Does Windows have a Dock that can be placed anywhere?

Does Windows have spring-loaded folders?

Does it allow you to hide programs?

Does it have Camino or Safari?

Launhbar?

big, informative menubar items?

etc.

Windows has multiple dock programs now, that let you do basically anything you want with it, including putting it on any side of the screen. But if you were refering to the taskbar, it can be put on any side too.

Stardock has a spring loaded folder program that works quite well

Windows doesnt hide programs the way OS X does, no.

Quicklaunch, and the startmenu are both launchbars.

You can emulate a menubar on windows too, there are a few programs that can do this. But unless your blind, I dont see how you cant read the menubar from within each window.

Chris

MickS · Jun 19, 2003, 06:55 AM

Sadly the thing that can't be replaced is the quality of the Apple hardware. I'm being forced to use a Dell laptop atm. I've had it 4 months and I've had three keyboards fail on it.

I'd love to use my TiBook instead but they are afraid that I might infect their network.

C.J. Moof · Jun 19, 2003, 02:19 PM

Originally posted by kmkkid:
[B

Quicklaunch, and the startmenu are both launchbars.
[/B]

Quicklaunch and the Start Menu are not LaunchBar. Not even a weak shadow of a wish of being as powerful and sensible as LaunchBar.

itai195 · Jun 19, 2003, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by MickS:
Sadly the thing that can't be replaced is the quality of the Apple hardware. I'm being forced to use a Dell laptop atm. I've had it 4 months and I've had three keyboards fail on it.

Laptop keyboards break all the time... I had my powerbook keyboard replaced twice.

Windows doesn't have a "ignore trackpad while typing" feature I have been accidentally clicking on things for quite a while.

Strange, my Dell does have this feature. But perhaps it's a driver feature and not something built in to WinXP...

The only thing I consistently miss when using Windows is column view. The addition of an explorer pane for every explorer window in XP is welcome though, and it makes the lack of column view bearable. Be sure to use it

The 'pin to start menu' feature in XP is also kind of nice. You can right click on a shortcut to a program or document and click on 'pin to start menu' and the shortcut will get a permanent spot in the top left side of the XP start menu. Nice way to eliminate desktop shortcuts at least.

Morenix · Jun 19, 2003, 03:09 PM

someday macusers will say that Microsoft Windows don't have windows too...

Mediaman_12 · Jun 19, 2003, 05:01 PM

If you 'really' miss your OSX Dock. You could try Y's Dock. This is as close as you can get to the OSX Dock on the PC (popup hierarchical folders, Drag Items on and off), you can even get 'docklings' that act like the dynamic icons on the OSX version.
It's also FREE unlike the others mentioned here.

kmkkid · Jun 19, 2003, 05:22 PM

Originally posted by Mediaman_12:
If you 'really' miss your OSX Dock. You could try Y's Dock. This is as close as you can get to the OSX Dock on the PC (popup hierarchical folders, Drag Items on and off), you can even get 'docklings' that act like the dynamic icons on the OSX version.
It's also FREE unlike the others mentioned here.

Objectdock by stardock is the closest thing to the real dock. Y'z doesnt even have a taskbar function. Rumour is objectdock 1.0 will have skinned context menu's, and even more features to make it the #1 dock on windows.

Oh, and it's free too.

Chris

Mediaman_12 · Jun 19, 2003, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by kmkkid:
Objectdock by stardock is the closest thing to the real dock. Y'z doesnt even have a taskbar function. Rumour is objectdock 1.0 will have skinned context menu's, and even more features to make it the #1 dock on windows. Oh, and it's free too.
Chris

Have they put an option in to turn off the magnification? I tried this when Objectdock first came out, and the only option was for the magnification to be on MAX (I don't even like that on my Mac), thats why I liked y's.
I would like to know this before I go to the trouble of downloading & installing it (Y's is also a single app, there is no installer, so it can't funk up works PC)

businezguy · Jun 19, 2003, 06:12 PM

The most annoying thing about Windows is how each window takes up the whole working space. With Mac OS X, each window only takes up what is needed, which is great for multitasking. I just find myself being more productive with OS X.

kmkkid · Jun 19, 2003, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by Mediaman_12:
Have they put an option in to turn off the magnification? I tried this when Objectdock first came out, and the only option was for the magnification to be on MAX (I don't even like that on my Mac), thats why I liked y's.
I would like to know this before I go to the trouble of downloading & installing it (Y's is also a single app, there is no installer, so it can't funk up works PC)

Yup, it doesnt have to magnify anymore, just set it to magnify to whatever the normal size is, or below. I'd wait till version 1.0 before installing it, unless you just can't wait

(cause who knows when 1.0 will be)

Chris

moreno · Jun 19, 2003, 07:25 PM

The most annoying thing about Windows is how each window takes up the whole working space. With Mac OS X, each window only takes up what is needed, which is great for multitasking. I just find myself being more productive with OS X.

i'm missing something?