On Tuesday, Bill Gates introduced the world to the next version of
Windows - Windows XP. I'm not going to make judgments and say that
Microsoft copied particular Mac OS X features, but there are a few too
many similarities between the two operating systems to be coincidental.
Instead the theme throughout this article will be that Microsoft used
some of Mac OS X's features as inspiration for particular Windows XP
components.
You can't blame Microsoft for wanting to replicate some of Apple's
ideas. If I were Bill Gates, I would be completely jealous of the fact
that Steve Jobs and the folks at Apple created such a masterpiece as
Mac OS X. Even a Windows XP beta tester admits that Microsoft has Apple
on the eye:
This is so sad. They're just lamely trying to copy Steve Jobs'
Apple presentation - right down to the guy having a black shirt and
black pants.
Public Beta, Anyone?
With Windows XP, Microsoft is offering PC users the opportunity to
test drive Windows XP through a "Windows XP Preview Program." Here is
an excerpt from the Windows XP Preview Program Newsletter Sign-Up page,
it also suggests that the preview will be available for a price
(similar to Mac OS X Public Beta):
By signing up today, you will receive an e-mail notification
letting you know Windows® XP is available to order through the
Windows XP Preview Program. This special offer is a release
candidate-based preview program that will allow you to test-drive the
revolutionary new Windows desktop operating system from Microsoft.
Four Letter User Interfaces
You're familiar with Aqua, Mac OS X's interface. Similar to Mac OS
X, Microsoft is selling Windows XP in a completely redesigned interface
named Luna. Oversized icons seem to be the new trend in user interface,
and both designs are surprisingly blue. Microsoft says that Luna "will
bring a simple, colorful, and clean look to the desktop," and that it
is a result of "significant customer feedback, research, and
development." Yeah, it's a result of customer feedback - and Mac OS
X.
Kudos goes to Microsoft for realizing that they had to redesign that
hideous look operating system. But next time, they should try to use
something called "originality."
The Software Strategy
If you were lucky enough to attend the Macworld keynote a few weeks
ago (or watch it via the Internet), you probably remember Steve Job's
demonstration using a G4 tower as a hub that interacts with a variety
of different peripherals. He went on to talk about Apple's focus on
software development, the introduction of iTunes, iDVD, and DVD Studio
Pro. Creating such programs as iMovie and iTunes was an intelligent
move for Apple, and according to popular rumors, there are more such
programs in the works. During his presentation on Tuesday, Bill Gates
made a point to talk about the increasing demand for connectivity
between personal computers and other electronics (sound familiar?).
"Music is hard to work with. It's hard to have a play list. The digital
revolution is changing that," Microsoft's CEO boasted.
Multiple Users When reading more about Windows XP on Microsoft's web
site, I came across a screenshot of the Welcome Screen. "Gee, I've
seen that somewhere before," I thought to myself. That's because it
resembles Multiple Users in both design and features - it even has the
same rubber ducky avatar! (See Wired page,
which shows both. Microsoft's rubber ducky is a mirror image of
Apple's.)
Windows XP makes it easy to create individual accounts for everyone
who uses your computer. This means that when each of you log on, you
will have your own, individualized computing environment. And if your
family shares a computer, Windows XP allows you to quickly switch
between users without closing down and restarting any programs.
Windows XP is a good attempt, and it is an improvement over previous
Windows versions. However, one would think that a company such as
Microsoft, which has been so successful over the years, wouldn't need
to use some of its opponent's ideas just to sell a few hundred thousand
copies of an operating system.
