I recently purchased a new computer for use at home and opted for an Apple Mac over a PC, simply because I felt I wanted to explore my creative side and Windows reminds me too much of work. After unpacking it and placing this work of art on my desk, I turned it on and started getting to grips with MacOS.
Now, being a man, I am only able to focus on one thing at a time and consequently I generally make extensive use of the maximize button in Windows, so that I am not distracted by the clutter of all the other windows. So you can imagine I was somewhat horrified when I realized that Apple don't actually provide a maximize button. They provide what is called a "zoom" button, which at best maximizes only in the vertical direction.
I heard it said that Apple claim there is no need for a Windows style maximize button because it would make it difficult to drag and drop between different windows. Now I can readily understand that some Mac users are happy with their "zoom" button, but quite frankly, it surprises me that Apple, who build their business on providing a great user experience, haven't given their users the fundamental choice of being able to completely maximize a window. Is it just me or do other Mac users have a strong opinion here?
I've just read your comments about the Apple lack of a maximise button. As a PC user from year dot with a Mac for the last 4 years I initially found it a pain in the rectum too. Eventually, I gave in and now I size my windows manually, never having discovered an easy way to 'fill em up' with a click.
It's a niggle, I have to admit, that takes a tiny amount of shine off the Mac experience, but even given that I still love using my Mac in preference to the PC. My PC is for work and my Mac is for me - that's how it pans out in my digital life.
I believe if you're very advanced you can learn enough scripting to make windows open to a size you prefer, but for me, frankly, life's too short to learn a new computer language just for that!
Posted by: Amin | August 15, 2006 at 12:59 PM