One Small Step for Mac...

One giant leap for themekind.

There's been some wonderful OS X theme related news in this thread. A big jump towards someone finally making Leopard customizable. I had a bit of fun last night playing around to make the buttons look like Max Rudberg's Milk theme. Unfortunately for the moment it looks like Niqu-like themes are possible because we have no way of changing button glyphs or text colours.

In other news, non-Mac users are actually using the fact Safari 3.1 for Windows is using OS X's font rendered and not ClearType.

I don't often get on my high horse -- because my lemon pie is usually petting him and giving him sugar lumps -- but dear lord. This is why people can put up with shit user interfaces (Hello Aero). It's why I don't actually read Ars' discussions, because it's full of developer types.

Now, I love me the smart sort. Christoph is an amazing developer. The Transmission developer was cool to work with. The problem I have with most Windows or Linux developers (I apologize in advance for these broad statements) is that they have no taste. A lot seem to have this jealous view of user interface designers that they just aren't needed. Usability is just coded, not designed, apparently.

Look, ever wonder why Linux is widely unknown? Why no average Joe cares? Because it looks like Windows Light. It feels like an abused wife. Okay, you've left your previous partner but now... Why are you making this next one so like him? Is there some deep emotional trauma going on? He didn't really mean to blue-screen of death you baby.

God damn I'm skipping all over the place with my analogues today. I've only had one coffee, I'll blame that.

You don't have to copy Windows. You don't have to copy OS X. Do something different. Something new, something fresh. Stop being assholes to 'proper' designers -- not psuedo "well I kind of know Photoshop" guys. Big distros? Stop fucking cheaping out buying stock icons. It just makes you look bland.

Lastly, recognize that user interfaces are like fashion. No look is ever perfect and no look remains cool or fresh past the couple of year mark. No, I'm not saying every UI should dazzle and swoon users. Just be good looking, usable, made from competent graphics and out of the way when you need to work.

Vista is the guy in the sparkling costume trying to impress. OS X is the guy in the sharp grey suit now. Don't let Linux be the badly dressed guy in the corner that no-one asks to dance.