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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/898
112 MacDirectory
REVIEW | PRODUCTIVITY
After all the hype, Leopard has finally
arrived. Despite the more than 300 new
items touted by Apple, there's really no
single 'must-have' feature that's strong
enough to require the upgrade.
Having said that, there are quite a few
things that lead us to recommend
purchase, aside from the obvious. It
typically behooves the serious user to
keep up with OS updates, simply because
future applications will require Leopard
just to run. Here we'll document our
findings with the most-used features –
your mileage may vary.
The Desktop
The most obvious of the changes occurs
on the Desktop, where the Dock now
sports a leaded-glass appearance, with lit
glass spheres to indicate which applica-
tions are currently open. These orbs are
just unobtrusive enough to be almost
unnoticeable, which may please or annoy
you, depending on your taste. If you prefer
a side-aligned Dock, the glass effect goes
away. There are a few hacks available over
the Web that help modify the new Dock a
few different ways, including bringing back
the old appearance.
Additionally, default folders have been
added to the Dock: Applications,
Documents, and Downloads. These have a
new way to display their contents, called
Stacks, which fans the files out in a single
column arc. There is a representative icon
for each file, which is a welcome interface
improvement. If the number of files
exceeds a certain amount, opening a
folder will display files in a grid.
Depending on how many files you have,
however, this can be confusing, with so
many icons sharing the space.
The Downloads folder is meant to contain
all downloads you get from Safari, Mail,
or iChat. If you don't use Safari, however,
you're out of luck, though there will
probably soon be a hack out there for
integrating the Downloads folder with
other browsers.
The Finder
A new method of viewing your files is
added to the standard list: Cover Flow.
Just like browsing through your songs in
iTunes, you can quickly breeze through
your standard files by simply scrolling
through them. Making this functionality
even more powerful is the new Quick
Look feature. Quick Look lets you preview
many types of files without having to
open them completely – simply select
one or more files, and tap the Spacebar.
You are given controls to display your files
slideshow fashion, or in a gridded,
contact sheet format.
Spaces
This is a brand-new feature and is Apple's
take on the desktop virtualization idea.
Essentially, you can have a separate
desktop for each application you choose to
open, and switch easily between them
with a customizable keystroke. You are
allowed up to 16 Spaces, arranged how-
ever you prefer. It's possible to look at all
Spaces at the same time, and drag appli-
cations from one Space to another at will.
This feature is useful for users who want
to have his or her own special work space
and application selection.
iChat
The new version of iChat is notable mainly
for a fantastic new function: Screen
Sharing. With two computers running
Leopard, an iChat session can be shared,
allowing both users to control the desktop
of either user. Audio chat is automatically
enabled, making it easy to troubleshoot
problems on a remote computer, or simply
to experience the fun of collaboration.
Other notable features include the
smoothly running Boot Camp; recording
features in Automator; the useful
Dictionary; and the powerful Time
Machine. Again, however, with the
possible exceptions of the Screen Sharing
in iChat and Boot Camp, there is little in
Leopard that makes it a required
installation. It is the future, however, so
read up on it and decide for yourself.
MAC OS 10.5 LEOPARD > IT'S FINALLY HERE
Product Mac OS 10.5 Leopard
Made by Apple