Failing Dock (was Re: Stacks - a part of the Finder or just the Dock?)

[Ashley Aitken]

On 20/06/2007, at 8:45 PM, LuKreme wrote:

> On 20-Jun-2007, at 06:00, Ashley Aitken wrote:
>> On 20/06/2007, at 5:07 PM, LuKreme wrote:
>>> What I find frustrating is that there are really no dock  
>>> REPLACEMENTS.  (All the functionality of the Dock.app and no more  
>>> Dock.app).  I mean, sure, it's Apple's fault for tying the Dock  
>>> in so tightly (it still runs the dashboard, right?), but still.   
>>> A good dock replacement and a setting in dock.app's prefs to  
>>> delay how long before it appears would be oh, so helpful.
>>
>> Ok, so you're trolling (me) now? ;-)
>>
>> DragThing does about as much as can be done without Apple allowing  
>> further.
>>
>> As I mentioned, I hide the Apple Dock hidden at the top of the  
>> screen so I still see bouncing icons and can even use the Dock if  
>> needed.
>
> Right.  That fails with my "All the functionality of the dock and  
> no more dock.app" because it fails to bounce icons for attention.   
> That is a useful feature of the Dock, and one that I use, even  
> though I never bring up the dock itself, I can see which app needs  
> attention.

Yes, same when I hide the Dock at the top.

>> DragThing then provides all the docks I could need with just about  
>> every option you could want - of course, the Apple Dock is still  
>> running (but so what?).
>
> And icons are bouncing from under the menu bar, and windows 'shrink  
> up' instead of down...
>
>> The only issues I have (as I mentioned) are:
>>
>> 1.  It's less dynamic than Apple's dock - no bouncing icons,  
>> scaling icons, etc.
>>
>> 2.  It's less flashy than Apple's dock (especially the one coming  
>> in Leopard).
>>
>> 3.  Windows still minimise to the Apple Dock (ie they genie to there)
>
> Yeah, those are all annoying.  The first one is kinda a deal-breaker.

Yes, it was hard, but I got used to living in a cheaper part of town.

Seriously though, now with the availability of CoreAnimation (and the  
like) I don't think it will be long before DragThing makes the icons  
do somersaults (no inside information, so no promises though) and more.

Since DragThing has become "skinable" (with themes) it can probably  
equal or even surpass the current Dock in terms of looks (but not the  
Leopard Dock although again with CoreAnimation and the like the new  
stuff - reflections - will be easier for third-party apps).

Cheers,
Ashley.