Webthoughts

Apple has released iTunes 5.

Looking around the web, I've seen that there are varied opinions about the new release. Some people like it, other's don't. I think what has caused the most controversy about this release is that iTunes 5 introduces yet another new window type.

The new iTunes main window looks like a cross between the old brushed metal window and the new unified window introduced with Mac OS X Tiger (such as that used in Mail). The brushed look of the window is gone, but overall color is still there. It uses the same type of gradient look that the unified window uses.

Overall, I like the new look. I like the fact that the window borders are now gone on the left and the right. The overall look is a lot cleaner. iTunes doesn't look as busy as it did now.

But, there are two things about this that do bug me. The first of these is the corners of the windows. The corners have lost a lot of the Aqua-roundness. Although still round, the diameter of the base circle is much smaller. These corners look out of place, especially when layered with other types of windows. I'm wondering if Apple did this to make the interface fit in a little better on the Windows side of things. But, if so, why not leave the old corners on Mac OS X, especially since, as I've read elsewhere, this is a custom window (it's look and feel is completely drawn by iTunes itself, not the system).

The other thing that bugs me is that this is yet another new window type. I really don't understand why Apple can't stick with a few standard window types. As I mentioned earlier, this new window doesn't fit in well with the rest of the Aqua interface. Don't get me wrong, I like the look of this new window (except for the corners). I like the unified look window introduced in Tiger. But, why is Apple adding these window types instead of replacing older ones with them. There are so many window types running around now that any hope of a unified look to the OS is quickly disappearing. Apple needs to figure out some unity in the interface for Leopard (the next major Mac OS X release). Stop letting the graphic designers have free reign and make them work with some interface experts. Please!

Now, I'm off to do some testing with iHam on iRye.

This is going to be the next version of Microsoft Word (on Windows)? How much more incredibly ugly could it possibly get?

Now I will grant you, I have not seen this interface in person, nor have I used it. I have not seen it in action at all. All I've seen are a few screenshots like the one linked to above. But holy cow! This thing looks like a bloated, brushed-metal, primary-color nightmare!

I have a feeling that Microsoft is trying to push the stereotypical mouse-driven desktop-metaphor interface to evolve here. But, I get the feeling that it's a little to radical in its changes here. I'm all for pushing the HI boundaries a little (Apple's doing the same thing with recent versions of Mac OS X and iTunes and whatnot), but I have to wonder if such a radical jump is going to just confuse people.

Despite my ranting ranting here, I suppose that I will withhold final judgement until I've actually had a chance to see and/or use this in person.

BWAAAA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA! This is really funny in a disturbing sort of way. Don't worry, nothing bad here, but this is well-worth the look.

I despise Notre Dame football with a passion. But, this story still touched me. I heard about this for the first time on ESPNradio earlier today and it even choked up Dan Patrick.

No matter what I think of Notre Dame football, I have to admit that Charlie Weis is a class act. Keeping his promise to Montana by calling that play in a situation where it was absolutely ludicrous to call such a play shows that there are still more important things than football.

Bravo Charlie.