Here is my peculiar list of observances of the latest spate of Mac updates, specifically: Mac OSX 10.4.4 (which includes a 2.0.3 version of Safari), iTunes 6.0.2, and Quicktime 7.0.4.
Mac OSX 10.4.4:
- The bug wherein the Finder's "Inspector" (command-option-i) — which is supposed to dynamically update it's properties based on the selected file — does not update the view of the file's ownership and permissions, is still not fixed. Unbelievable. I'm pissed.
- The update, unsurprisingly, overwrote my "kill metal" Finder mod. No big, I guess. Just something I noticed. And for the record, the mod still worked after I reinstalled it.
- iChat active-window inconsistencies, I'm happy to say, seem to be fixed in the latest version included with 10.4.4.
Safari 2.0.3:
- Safari seems the same to me. I'm not sure what, exactly, is different, but it's nothing that affects me. The window placement bug is still there. And I still can't use the web apps I need to use with it. I'm sticking with Firefox 1.5 (I'm now on the G5 version).
Quicktime 7.0.4:
- Quicktime 7.0.4 features a new visual effect. When going into full screen mode, as the window grows, everything behind it gradually dims, much like the dimming of the background that happens when you use Exposé's "All Windows" function. It happens when you toggle out of full screen as well. It's pretty. I like it.
Quicktime 7.0.4: Nice Effect
(click for larger view)
iTunes 6.0.2:
- Honestly — and this could totally be my imagination — but iTunes seems to open a bit faster for me. Who knows? Maybe I'm just desperate for some kind of improvement here.
- The "multiple speakers" option is nice. But guess what? Doesn't work with videos; just audio. Still, better than nothing, I guess. We likey.
Really, so far, that's all I've noticed. There are some nice little touches, but all-in-all, considering we have updates to four fairly major applications here, and considering we have some rather longstanding bugs (the Finder Inspector is particularly glaring) still hanging around after several months, I guess I'd say I'm underwhelmed. And a bit disappointed.
Oh well.