In Praise of UNO

As befits a longtime Mac user, I have a somewhat superficial understanding of things computational and basically just want everything to look pretty. Which is why one aspect of the OS X GUI has bothered me forever -- the windows don't match. Some programs -- iTunes, Safari, iChat, etc. -- have that cool "brushed metal" look, but other applications, including Apple programs like Mail, do not. That really bothered me. I stopped using Net News Wire and started using Vienna instead because the latter is brushed metal. I wouldn't switch away from iChat and toward Adium until I found Adium settings that aped the brushed metal look. And, of course, I had to use Safari instead of Firefox as my web browser.

But no more! UNO the Sunken Unified GUI provides a simple method to make all your applications -- even Word or NeoOffice -- have the same basic appearance. Thus, life is good.

Comments

Matt -- just in case you were wondering, yes, you are insane.

Posted by IP Guy | December 4, 2006 9:17 AM

I actually LIKED the windows for different apps having different looks. That way I could, without much thought, tell which application I was clicking on (I tend to switch applications by clicking on windows rather than using the toolbar) . Nowadays, I go to read my email and end up in iTunes, or to turn down the music and end up in Safari.

Posted by DAnMD | December 4, 2006 9:25 AM

I know how you feel! I, myself, am edgy and uncomfortable unless all the bills in my wallet are organized sequentially by serial number.

Posted by James Gary | December 4, 2006 9:27 AM

I was hoping this post was about UNO the card game. :(

Posted by scarshapedstar | December 4, 2006 9:35 AM

FWIW, iTunes does not used brushed metal anymore. It has a theme which, while somewhat reminiscent of brushed metal, is actually quite different. See iCal, Address Book, and Safari for examples of true brushed metal.

Posted by Petey | December 4, 2006 9:57 AM

"I stopped using Net News Wire and started using Vienna instead because the latter is brushed metal"

Based on this, I retract my previous suggestion that you try recreational drugs. Instead, I strongly suggest you immediately have yourself committed.

Posted by Petey | December 4, 2006 10:02 AM

Sadly, I have up recreational drugs as my New Year's Resolution for 2006. It was easier than I expected but has, yes, resulted in a lot of time-wasting activities. I'm not looking for 2007's quit smoking initiative.

Posted by Matthew Yglesias | December 4, 2006 10:47 AM

Did I do something to get moderated away?

Posted by Chris Conway | December 4, 2006 12:10 PM

Ah, I bet it was the external links.

Posted by Chris Conway | December 4, 2006 12:11 PM

tips:

application switching : command+tab

try this: control+command+d then roll your cursor over any word on the screen

your welcome

Posted by judson | December 4, 2006 12:19 PM

Just testing the external links theory. Is this a rule that I should have been aware of?

Posted by Chris Conway | December 4, 2006 12:27 PM

Huh, that worked.

Sorry to clog up this thread. Go on with your regularly-scheduled insaninty.

Posted by Chris Conway | December 4, 2006 12:33 PM

judson...

thank you for the control+command+d trick!!!!

Posted by DeeLuzon | December 4, 2006 12:54 PM

I've always loved Uno. Especially when I get to play a "Draw 4 Wild" on an opponent down to his last card.

Posted by Steve H. | December 4, 2006 1:27 PM

What button is the command button? Is that the one shaped like an apple?

I have a function button, alt/option, control and shift, but seemingly no command button. Does this mean I have to take my mac back?

Posted by matt | December 4, 2006 1:51 PM

Command is the Apple button.

Posted by Chris Conway | December 4, 2006 2:51 PM

As a Windows user who uses free (read: ported from Linux) software as much as possible, I've long since given up on any of my windows matching one another.

Posted by tps12 | December 4, 2006 3:33 PM

I love attack UNO, but I'll play most any kind.

Posted by Doh | December 4, 2006 3:48 PM

I was hoping this post was about the University of New Orleans.

Posted by L. | December 4, 2006 6:50 PM

Matt, I hate to tell you this, but it looks like brushed metal will be going away with Leopard and that most of your applications will be going with the "Unified" look. (Personally, I have grown to dislike brushed metal.)

Hm. Several years of reading your blog for interesting political news and punditry and the first time I post a response, it's about the OS X GUI.

Posted by Jeff | December 5, 2006 12:36 AM