The desktop OS with its 25-year-old paper-based metaphors is due for a reinvention

the8thark · the8thark #1 (**permalink**)

02-23-2011, 05:12 AM

The desktop OS with its 25-year-old paper-based metaphors (folders, trash cans) is past due for a reinvention.

Do you agree with this statement? And if so what'd you base the new version of Apple OS on?

Chris H. · Chris H. #2 (**permalink**)

02-23-2011, 07:33 AM

Folders should be renamed to…hmm…

Trash can? nah..we call that the…hmm…

Good points! I can't think of anything. (A lack of sleep might be the problem, buuut…)

ZachUSAman · ZachUSAman #3 (**permalink**)

02-23-2011, 09:11 AM

....
nobody these days really knows what "save" icon represents...

iggibar · iggibar #4 (**permalink**)

02-23-2011, 09:43 AM

I don't think it's necessary to change them. There's nothing wrong with them the way they are. They might be old, but changing them to something, just because they are getting old isn't right. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

RavingMac · RavingMac #5 (**permalink**)

02-23-2011, 09:44 AM

I would split the Trash icon in two.

1) A trash compactor to compress and temporarily archive files you might need again. Have it auto empty on a user set basis (say weekly).
2) Laser Blaster to zap files you want to be gone immediately. Hopefully accompanied by flames and lots of smoke!

(Be a good way to let off frustration)

EDIT: As far as folders, I would dispense with them altogether. Tag every file loaded on the system with type, date etc (as well as user assignable). Then have a series of tabs or drop select menu in finder to display files that meet the filter setting.

robduckyworth · robduckyworth #6 (**permalink**)

02-23-2011, 10:11 AM

I renamed my trash can to "The **** Bucket"

baggss · baggss #7 (**permalink**)

02-23-2011, 11:06 AM

I almost think that this is what Apple is trying to do with iOS. If there is some sort of iOS GUI implementation in 10.7, which I think Apple has confirmed, then I would view it as the first steps to take the desktop GUI in a new direction.

That being said, I disagree with the idea that it "needs" to be changed, change for the sake of change is silly.

the8thark · the8thark #8 (**permalink**)

02-23-2011, 11:22 AM

We are just renaming everything here. A trash can now called a lazer file zapper is still just a trash can with a fancy name. Maybe the whole lot needs re-invention. No more folders, no more trash. A totally new system.

But there is one downside to this. Old it may be but people who just learnt the system are not going to be happy to learn a new system.

cwa107 · cwa107 #9 (**permalink**)

02-23-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the8thark

We are just renaming everything here. A trash can now called a lazer file zapper is still just a trash can with a fancy name. Maybe the whole lot needs re-invention. No more folders, no more trash. A totally new system.

But there is one downside to this. Old it may be but people who just learnt the system are not going to be happy to learn a new system.

I think what you're saying is that in this day and age, the "desktop" metaphor is no longer necessary or modern. I think in some ways that's true, in others it's an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" kind of proposition. We still use mice and keyboards, and although it we have touch on our phones and tablets, touch is not such a great thing on a laptop/desktop, where fingerprints can mar your screen.

Until display technology reaches the point of "Minority Report", I think the desktop metaphor is still most efficient.

Sawday · Sawday #10 (**permalink**)

02-23-2011, 12:20 PM

Perhaps it is about time to move forward. I've never been happy with the desktop analogy (my wastebin (we don't use 'trash' in UK) sits on the floor and holds my rubbish that I can retrieve until it's emptied; my shredder deals with documents I want to annihilate right away; my folders are kept in a filing cabinet; my photos are in albums but they sit on a shelf; ...).

'Workspace' sounds a promising replacement.

MYmacROX · MYmacROX #11 (**permalink**)

02-23-2011, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwa107

Until display technology reaches the point of "Minority Report", I think the desktop metaphor is still most efficient.

Agreed. It's fine the way it is. ...for now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawday

Workspace' sounds a promising replacement.

Ahh, but not everyone uses their computers for work. Desktop makes the most sense (to me).

I foresee a gradual move away from this conventional way of organization/storage. Maybe one day we won't use any of these terms anymore. Or maybe we will only use 1 or 2 of them. But I'm guessing it won't be some big "We have a new naming system" type of announcement. It'll just "happen"...slowly.

ZachUSAman · ZachUSAman #12 (**permalink**)

02-23-2011, 01:09 PM

dont fix what aint broken...

osxx · osxx #13 (**permalink**)

02-23-2011, 05:49 PM

I would like to see Trash have the option on the dock to empty securely or normal.

zewazir · zewazir #14 (**permalink**)

02-23-2011, 06:14 PM

"Trash" and "folders" not geeky enough?

Would you prefer "recycle bin" and "directories"?

fleurya · fleurya #15 (**permalink**)

02-23-2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZachUSAman

....
nobody these days really knows what "save" icon represents...

That's a sobering thought!

Chris H. #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 03, 2009 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Posts: 2,516 Mac Specs: late 2009 MacBook - 10.7.5	02-23-2011, 07:33 AM Folders should be renamed to…hmm… Trash can? nah..we call that the…hmm… Good points! I can't think of anything. (A lack of sleep might be the problem, buuut…)  late 2009 MacBook - OS X 10.7.5  early 2009 Mac mini - OS X 10.7.5  4th gen iPod touch 32GB - iOS 6.0  iPhone 4 8GB - iOS 6.0
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iggibar #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 20, 2009 Location: Up UP and awayyyy!!! Posts: 3,912 Mac Specs: MBP15" 240gb SSD+128gb SSD, PowerBook17, PowerMacG5, Phone4S 32gb, Phone4 32gb, Galaxy Note 2 80gb.	02-23-2011, 09:43 AM I don't think it's necessary to change them. There's nothing wrong with them the way they are. They might be old, but changing them to something, just because they are getting old isn't right. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
	QUOTE Thanks

RavingMac #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 07, 2008 Location: In Denial Posts: 6,786 Mac Specs: 4GB Mac Mini, 13" MacBook, 15" MacBook Pro OSX 10.7, 32 GB iPhone 3GS, iPad2 64gb 3G	02-23-2011, 09:44 AM I would split the Trash icon in two. 1) A trash compactor to compress and temporarily archive files you might need again. Have it auto empty on a user set basis (say weekly). 2) Laser Blaster to zap files you want to be gone immediately. Hopefully accompanied by flames and lots of smoke! (Be a good way to let off frustration) EDIT: As far as folders, I would dispense with them altogether. Tag every file loaded on the system with type, date etc (as well as user assignable). Then have a series of tabs or drop select menu in finder to display files that meet the filter setting. Of course, I know everything . . . I just can't remember it all at once. Last edited by RavingMac; 02-23-2011 at 09:50 AM.
	QUOTE Thanks

robduckyworth #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2011 Location: Reading, UK Posts: 2,972 Mac Specs: 15" MBP, 2.5GHz i7, 750GB, 6770M 1GB, iPad 3, iPhone 4, custom PC	02-23-2011, 10:11 AM I renamed my trash can to "The ** Bucket" If you find a post helpful, don't forget to use the reputation system (top right of post.) Join us in the IRC!** How? Add me on Steam, Origin or PSN (Vita): robduckyworth
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Sawday #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 19, 2006 Location: York, UK Posts: 867 Mac Specs: 24" Aluminium, 2.8 GHz, 4Gb RAM. iPad2, iPhone4	02-23-2011, 12:20 PM Perhaps it is about time to move forward. I've never been happy with the desktop analogy (my wastebin (we don't use 'trash' in UK) sits on the floor and holds my rubbish that I can retrieve until it's emptied; my shredder deals with documents I want to annihilate right away; my folders are kept in a filing cabinet; my photos are in albums but they sit on a shelf; ...). 'Workspace' sounds a promising replacement. Happiness is not getting what you want, but wanting what you get.
	QUOTE Thanks

The desktop OS with its 25-year-old paper-based metaphors is due for a reinvention

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the8thark #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 27, 2007 Location: Brisvegas Posts: 5,658 Mac Specs: 17 inch 2 GHz C2D imac (5,1) with 3GB DDR2 RAM, X1600 (128MB memory) GPU - OSX 10.6.3	02-23-2011, 05:12 AM The desktop OS with its 25-year-old paper-based metaphors (folders, trash cans) is past due for a reinvention. Do you agree with this statement? And if so what'd you base the new version of Apple OS on?
	QUOTE Thanks

baggss #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 10, 2004 Location: Margaritaville Posts: 10,306 Mac Specs: 27" 3.4 Ghz i7 iMac-13" C2D Macbook-OSX 18.8.2-64Gb iPad 2-32 Gb iPhone 5-ATV 2-14Tb of Storage	02-23-2011, 11:06 AM I almost think that this is what Apple is trying to do with iOS. If there is some sort of iOS GUI implementation in 10.7, which I think Apple has confirmed, then I would view it as the first steps to take the desktop GUI in a new direction. That being said, I disagree with the idea that it "needs" to be changed, change for the sake of change is silly.
	QUOTE Thanks

the8thark #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 27, 2007 Location: Brisvegas Posts: 5,658 Mac Specs: 17 inch 2 GHz C2D imac (5,1) with 3GB DDR2 RAM, X1600 (128MB memory) GPU - OSX 10.6.3	02-23-2011, 11:22 AM We are just renaming everything here. A trash can now called a lazer file zapper is still just a trash can with a fancy name. Maybe the whole lot needs re-invention. No more folders, no more trash. A totally new system. But there is one downside to this. Old it may be but people who just learnt the system are not going to be happy to learn a new system.
	QUOTE Thanks

ZachUSAman #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 19, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 191 Mac Specs: 3.4ghz quad core ati 5850 graphics card 4GB ddr3 ram	02-23-2011, 01:09 PM dont fix what aint broken...
	QUOTE Thanks

osxx #13 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 19, 2008 Location: houston texas Posts: 3,932 Mac Specs: 15 MacBook Pro 2009 32GB iPad 4 32GB iPhone 5 Apple TV 3 AEBS/AE	02-23-2011, 05:49 PM I would like to see Trash have the option on the dock to empty securely or normal.
	QUOTE Thanks

zewazir #14 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 25, 2009 Posts: 63	02-23-2011, 06:14 PM "Trash" and "folders" not geeky enough? Would you prefer "recycle bin" and "directories"?
	QUOTE Thanks

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