MetaFilter posts tagged with computer and macintosh

Interfacing as humanly as possible

lonemantis — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:25:24 -0800

I'm not a computer programmer, but I love the thought and artistry that go into [computer] application design. Just browsing through Apple's latest HIG (Human Interface Guidelines) leaves me awestruck as to how much experience has been amassed and is used in order to design and execute a streamlined operating system. Abstract concepts like metaphors, user's mental model, perceived stability, and modelessness are transparently integrated into our everyday actions. It is often the little things which make all the difference. And sometimes the simplest actions we perform seem really complex when explained. Who knew there were this many buttons? On a related note: David Pogue at TED sings and talks about human interface inconsistency. Finally, I hope Apple will take to heart many of John Siracusa's thoughts regarding improvements to OS X. The inconsistent Finder and the horrid behavior of the Dock, to name only two... I love my Mac.

Twenty years of Macintosh

loquacious — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 11:42:55 -0800

Twenty years of Macintosh - a well done retrospect about the Apple Macintosh presented in a series of posters, annotated with excellent topical links for further reading.

jonesing for Norton Speed Disk memorabilia? You are so lucky, or something.

furiousthought — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 00:13:49 -0800

The Vintage Mac Museum – if there's anything you remember about working or playing on old black-and-white Macs, anything at all, there's probably an animated .gif screenshot of the program you used somewhere on this site. From MacPaint to Stuntcopter to Photoshop 1.0 to, no joke, Norton freaking Utilities, it's all been preserved on the internet. Go... internet.

Jef Raskin, creator of the Macintosh, has died.

killdevil — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 13:23:54 -0800

Jeff Raskin, widely considered the father of the Macintosh computer, has died. Visit folklore.org for stories chronicling the birth of the computer Jef named after his favorite varietal (but misspelled in order to avoid confusion). Jef's contributions to the development of simple, intelligible, "humane" computing environments didn't end with the Mac; learn more here and here.

Mac System 6

tommasz — Fri, 21 May 2004 07:03:19 -0800

Remember Mac System 6? If you do, then P.dro Classic™ is for you. Relive the glory days of 1 bit-per-pixel porn (it's almost life-like if you squint) and Pong-like games with the mouse! Hey, it's Friday and this is Flash. For me, it's the Startup Sound that makes this.

Fofer — Sat, 29 Jun 2002 23:32:30 -0800

The Apple rumor mill is buzzing... Tonight marks the expiration for many of their recent promos and rebates. The Apple Store has been closed for a few hours now for "updating." Is a new "insanely great" product about to be unleashed unto the Mac faithful ... or is it just wishful thinking?