Re: GNUstep icons

[Tim Harrison]

Chris B. Vetter wrote:

> > I've been wondering about a related question:  GNUstep copies the NeXT 
> > look and feel extensively.  Had there ever been any issue with Apple 
> > about that?  They have certainly been protective of their Aqua 
> > interface.  Perhaps they just don't really care about the old look?
>
> Heh, imagine Microsoft being protective of Windows' look ... how many
> window manager(s) would be in trouble?

Well, the problem is, Apple has shown a willingness to go after people 
who make Aqua-like interfaces, whereas Microsoft hasn't done anything of 
the sort.  I suppose the argument could be made that if the knockoff 
interface works enough like the original, it would potentially make 
people more comfortable with the original interface, and they might be 
more inclined to use the original over the knockoff.  Who knows what 
other nefarious thoughts lurk in the minds of [insert favourite 
nefarious company].

I think Apple is less concerned with an interface they consider "dead" 
than with their current "groundbreaking" interface design.  They want to 
maintain their brand identity.  I can see that, I suppose.  The NeXT 
interface style and visual representation are no longer supported, have 
not been supported for years, and are just no longer relevant to Apple 
(visually, at least).  They really don't have any need to put up a stink 
about the visual properties of a UI they consider to be outdated, 
unsupported, and  just plain not in use (no matter how much you argue, 
and correctly, that Aqua works, in many ways, similarly).

Just my CDN$0.02 (USD$0.0126815 EUR0.0129635).


--

Tim Harrison
tim@linuxstep.org
http://www.linuxstep.org/