anyway to replace OSX dock?

craptakular · 15 Mar 2010 at 12:17

Hi,

I find this OSX dock is totally useless. Anyway to delete and use something akin to a taskbar so I can see what documents/programs are open ala Windows/ Gnome desktop environment?

Feek · 15 Mar 2010 at 12:45

Install Windows or Linux?

Less flippant answer - No, not really. OS X has the dock (which I find perfectly adequate and does show which applications are running) and other OSs have different ways of doing it.

jonislost · 15 Mar 2010 at 12:46

The dock already shows what's open...

craptakular · 15 Mar 2010 at 13:38

It shows what application is open but doesn't show the different windows of firefox or the amount of word docs open.

I have installed fedora on it and actually have an OS that is usable with loads of windows open.

I just thought OSX would be more adaptable. Seems I'll have to stick with linux.

This macbook really has been the biggest waste of money I have ever spent on computing.

robbiemc · 15 Mar 2010 at 13:42

Alright, just calm down a bit.

Right click (or CTRL click) on the dock will show what's open. Alternatively, pushingF3 (or mapping this to anything) will show all your open windows making it a breeze to see windows and to navigate to a specific window.

Spyhop · 15 Mar 2010 at 16:44

Oxy said:
I have installed fedora on it and actually have an OS that is usable with loads of windows open.

Expose, motherflipper.

I don't like the Dock much so I just keep it hidden. As a quick check of what's running, it's fine..

But as an application launcher, it's a waste of space. I don't need a visible reminder of all the applications I have installed. They're at my fingertips via a keyboard launcher that takes up no screen space.

Kainz · 15 Mar 2010 at 17:03

Assign 3 finger downswipe for expose and you're sorted if you don't like the dock.

craptakular · 15 Mar 2010 at 17:15

ok I have setup expose to work on F5 and F6, it's ok but I still prefer a traditional taskbar. Seems OSX has tried to re-invent the wheel, and failed. At least it's semi usable now.

MacRS4 · 15 Mar 2010 at 17:35

I guess it's what you're used to and like isn't it?

I quite like the way the Dock and Windows 7 deal with multiple windows - they're both pretty intuitive. With the Dock the most common one I use is hold-click showing all of the Windows of the particular app. I kinda prefer that to Windows 7 just showing the Windows whether I want it too or not.

craptakular · 15 Mar 2010 at 18:35

MacRS4 said:
I guess it's what you're used to and like isn't it?

Well, of course it is!

I didn't know about the clicky thing. It's actually quite cool, maybe something I can live with.

Feek · 15 Mar 2010 at 18:44

Oxy said:
This macbook really has been the biggest waste of money I have ever spent on computing.

So sell it. You've had it for nearly two years and you tried OS X before you got it so I can only assume that you knew what you were getting.

If you don't like it, get rid of it and buy a Windows PC.

Sorry if this sounds harsh, just seems like it's the best option for you.

uchuff · 15 Mar 2010 at 19:46

Oxy said:
ok I have setup expose to work on F5 and F6, it's ok but I still prefer a traditional taskbar. Seems OSX has tried to re-invent the wheel, and failed. At least it's semi usable now.

It's worth noting Windows 7 now has a Taskbar which behaves a lot more like the OSX Dock, I much prefer it this way and seemed to be one of the things everyone raved about when Windows 7 was released.

So, probably worth sticking with it and seeing if you get used to it, if not you appear to be in a minority.

MagicBoy · 15 Mar 2010 at 22:04

Oxymoron indeed...

MacRS4 · 15 Mar 2010 at 23:47

The Win7/Dock thing is a pretty pertinent point really - they do operate in similar manners. The only differentiation for m is that the Win7 'dock' is intrusive - it offers up windows whether I want them or not.

I guess if you're used to asking for the windows - like I am - you'd find it annoying. If you're not you'd think it was pretty cool.

Come on MS & Apple - competition - let's be having you

Stupot_ · 15 Mar 2010 at 23:57

Lol. You really are a tool! Expose and spaces and show desktop really make osx a joy to use. Assigning them to gestures or hot corners is even better. How have you not discovered them yet...?

craptakular · 16 Mar 2010 at 16:41

Feek said:
So sell it.

How much is it worth? It's the last of the white ones I think. May have some warranty left on it.

MagicBoy said:
Oxymoron indeed...

MagicBoy indeed...

Stupot_ said:
Lol. You really are a tool! Expose and spaces and show desktop really make osx a joy to use. Assigning them to gestures or hot corners is even better. How have you not discovered them yet...?

They're off by default and I still think the dock and windows 7 taskbar are pretty useless. I have hardly used the macbook and it's mostly been in a cupboard because I have found the O.S. so poor to use.

I think the way finder works is poor, to me the dock doesn't look right when you have a full size window open, I just find it really clunky.

MagicBoy · 16 Mar 2010 at 18:30

That must make you an ameoba then...

Stop trolling and just sell the damn thing.

Slogan · 16 Mar 2010 at 18:47

I have to say I do find the Windows taskbar more useful than the Dock.

Certainly not reason for me to abandon OS X though.

craptakular · 16 Mar 2010 at 19:45

MagicBoy said:
That must make you an ameoba then...

Stop trolling and just sell the damn thing.

How is it trolling when I asked a genuine question about replacing the dock?

Cut the attitude, if you can only call me names just because I don't like OSX then please don't post.

MagicBoy · 16 Mar 2010 at 22:25

Oxy said:
Seems OSX has tried to re-invent the wheel, and failed.

Oxy said:
I have hardly used the macbook and it's mostly been in a cupboard because I have found the O.S. so poor to use.

I think the way finder works is poor.

Sounds like the dock is the least of your problems with OS X. Buy a Dell and stick Fedora on it.