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October 8, 2008 2:07 PM PDT
Apple granted patent on Mac OS X Dock
Apple now has a patent for the Dock in Mac OS X, shown here in the controversial left position.
(Credit: Apple)It took quite awhile, but Apple has finally received a patent on one of the most recognizable features of Mac OS X.
The Dock--the panel that holds launchers for Mac OS X applications--has been deemed patent-worthy by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Apple first applied for the patent in late 1999, and AppleInsider notes the concept itself dates back to Apple CEO Steve Jobs' work at NeXT Computing.
Since there's really not much else to note about this announcement, let's do a quick survey: right Dock? Left Dock? Center Dock? I'm a center Dock man myself, although I have flirted with the left side.
Tom Krazit, a staff writer for CNET News, focuses on all things Apple. He has covered traditional PC companies such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard, chip companies such as Intel and Advanced Micro Devices, and mobile computers ranging from Research In Motion's to Palm's. E-mail Tom.
Here's an example of prior art on the dock:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:RISCOS_4_scr.png
Wikipedia claims the Acorn had a dock as early as 1987 (they called it "icon bar"). Users can "dock applications and directories on the icon bar for convenient access" (cites Acorn Users Guide.)
Here, try this one instead: http://en.wikipedia.org/?title=WindowMaker
- it's been around since before OSX was commercially released.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NeXTSTEP
-24" intel 2.4 GHz imac.
I'm a pc user primarily and find the magnification feature annoying, but that's just me. I prefer the bottom position.
Docker from http://www.blocksoft.net/ lets you tweak selected OS X dock settings.
FWIW, I used it to change my dock background color to aquamarine, homage to the original iMac. It also makes the application 'ON' indicators far more visible than in the default gray color.
In my opinion, the patent is next to useless...the claims REQUIRE that the size of the icon increase when the mouse pointer moves near it. In other words, anyone can copy the application bar, just have a different proximity effect.
I'm a left side man myself.
http://www.rocketdock.com/
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by DarkHawke
October 9, 2008 2:36 AM PDT
- Well THERE'S a ridiculous thing to patent! Oooo! It's a set of icons I can use to run apps! BFD! Apple may have popularized the GUI, but Windows for all its under-the-hood faults has a far easier and more effective interface. From the Start menu to the system tray to the unparalleled task bar, the Windows GUI from XP forward is so much more intuitive and oriented towards getting things done, not to mention far more customizable. I'll never understand why there are so many Windows users that are so hot to make Windows look like OS X. It's like trading in a steak for a hamburger!
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by Dalkorian
October 9, 2008 9:06 AM PDT
- That's the funniest thing I've read all morning, thanks. Start menu even ... LOL!
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by DarkHawke
October 11, 2008 11:54 PM PDT
- If superior GUIs make you laugh, Dalkorian, then laugh on, my friend. Laugh on.
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