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undotwa · Jun 18, 2002, 09:43 AM

Well while reading a couple of threads on getting people to have 'hands on experience' with Mac OS X I thought of something.

Why doesn't Apple create an Windows app which launches a full screen application which is actually a limited Mac OS X working enviroment. Make it super snappy, show off the dock (magnification, customization), show off a limited Mac OS X Finder, provide a few demo applications like TextEdit (again limited, no save since their really is no file system on this 'Mac OS X demo'), Terminal (The Unix behind it, just show off it works, and have basic UNIX navigation commands and have most of the appearance preferences working), Sketch (again no save), Stickies (doesn't save notes), IE (just loads an introductory page, nothing else not an actual browser), Mail (not really functioning, just a demo account with an e-mail like [email protected].

Basically the idea is to give a basic limited Mac OS X enviroment which demonstrates how to use Mac OS X's slightly different interface (guiding you with Sticky notes on every application and screen), and to show off the Aqua interface and the Dock.

While this won't give the users the added feeling of actually using the computers and creating and saving documents and organizing stuff (like you can at the Apple Stores) I think it is a start. And Apple can do a mass CD distrobution like AOL does. Say that it doesn't install anything on your HD, it's just a demo to demonstrate the basic Mac OS X functionality.

What do you think?

Detrius · Jun 18, 2002, 10:11 AM

I think you should have copied the text that you wrote and mode it not a poll.

I also think that if it were super-snappy, it would give PC users the argument: See, PC's Are faster! OS X runs faster on them!

If it isn't snappy, well, that would just be bad.

That's what the quicktime previews are for on Apple's website. Why do more? If they really want to look, they can see it there.

Developer · Jun 18, 2002, 10:17 AM

and that's what the Apple stores are for.

nibeck · Jun 18, 2002, 10:58 AM

Interesting idea, but remember, Apple is really selling "the whole experience", not just the OS. You could expand your idea and add mock-ups of iPhoto, iTunes, iDVD, etc., etc., but that's getting a little excessive.

- Mike

dfiler · Jun 18, 2002, 11:29 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by undotwa:
...Why doesn't Apple create an Windows app which launches a full screen application which is actually a limited Mac OS X working enviroment. Make it super snappy, show off the dock (magnification, customization), show off a limited Mac OS X Finder, provide a few demo applications like TextEdit ...<hr /></blockquote>This is a good idea in the sense that many of us believe Windows users would "switch" if they just knew what they are missing.

Unfortunately, there are technical hurdles which make such an undertaking impractical. Basically, the amount of engineering required to make a snappy, interactive demo that in any way compares with the real user experience, is too cost prohibative. Apple would spend millions on this and end up with a demo not much better than a simple quicktime clip.

lookmark · Jun 18, 2002, 11:43 AM

I think this is a great idea, though, er, simulating the actual OS is way too much work and probably close to impossible.

But an Mac OS X "demo" CD, chock-full of interactive QT movies and presentations, would be a great thing.

It's great because a lot of people shun computer stores (full of pushy salesmen, and often awful in general) or aren't in the vicinity of an Apple Store.

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple goes down this road some time in next few years, as they continue their push for market share from Windows users.

undotwa · Jun 18, 2002, 12:27 PM

Apple has done similar things with Macintosh Basics (a program which taught users the basics of the Macintosh... it provided a virtual enviroment)...

In Mac OS 9 on the iMacs there is a virtual Mac OS 9 enviroment which teaches you how to resize windows, move window, open programs, open documents, use the internet, use mail... It's basically the same concept, except a little bit more extensive.

Basically nothing will actually work... Users just get to see the interface 'at work' on their screen.

KaptainKaya · Jun 18, 2002, 01:45 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by undotwa:
[QB]Apple has done similar things with Macintosh Basics (a program which taught users the basics of the Macintosh... it provided a virtual enviroment)...QB]<hr /></blockquote>Oh good lord, I still have that on the Performa 475 that we got way back in '93...I can't tell you how useful that was compared to reading the 300 page manual to learn stuff!

Sap · Jun 18, 2002, 02:32 PM

In fact, why doesn't Apple port OS X to x86 and make it a 30 day trial?

lookmark · Jun 18, 2002, 02:49 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Sap:
In fact, why doesn't Apple port OS X to x86 and make it a 30 day trial?

<hr /></blockquote>lol. Very good.

mrfears · Jun 18, 2002, 04:52 PM

I have 50 of these CDs here at my desk. They came out last year for the 10.0 launch. They have a slick interface (think the self running loops you see on display machines at stores) bringing up a mock dock - you click on ie, it opens a qt movie showing features. Same for mail, iTunes, etc. Runs both macs and windows.

T

Mac007 · Jun 18, 2002, 09:17 PM

Well don't bother voting is winning by 77%. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

P.S. Your idea sounds interesting. Perhaps Apple should do like Pepsi and set up little booths in public places and have a Mac challenge. They could then direct interested parties to a nearby Apple dealer.

Crombie914 · Jun 19, 2002, 12:24 AM

the mac challenge, i love it. great idea

oVeRmInD911 · Jun 19, 2002, 08:31 AM

<a href="http://homepage.mac.com/overmind911/WindowsPreview.sit" target="_blank">Now people, before we go on shoving Aqua down people's throats, why don't we think about the morality behind it all? I mean imagine if Microsoft made one of these. it would be...terrible. Wretched beyond words. I mean, it would be worse than the reviews my game Pong Party got on Version Tracker. So before we go and do something like this, let's just sit down and think about it.</a>

(BTW, that link is to a program I made that emulates the windows interface. It's completely harmless and only meant for humornessnessness. enjoy)

Oh yea, I love the idea!

Group51 · Jun 19, 2002, 08:56 AM

Like the idea, but think its impossible. Better just to include a full screen QT movie of it in action on PC magazines.