[Aaargh20318]

You are used to the Windows/Linux concept of a desktop, that's all.

Look at it like this: the windows on your desktop are the things you are working on. Usually they will be documents or other kinds of content. In OSX the desktop metaphor works a little different than on Windows. In Windows a window represents an application. In OSX a window (usually) represents a piece of content, e.g. document in Pages. When you minimize a window you're not minimizing the app, you're putting a piece of content out of the way because you don't need it at the moment. Think of it like stashing something away in a place you can easily reach it if you need it. Cmd-tab doesn't switch between windows (pieces of content) but between applications.

I'd hate for this behavior to change, it would break my workflow horribly and is one of the reasons I can't stand Windows. It is perfect for multitasking. I have a lot of stuff open I don't currently need. Say I'm working on some code; I'd usually have an IDE, browser terminal, calculator and a whole bunch of text document (for note taking) open. The things I don't need I minimize. When you cmd-tab between apps you only switch between the things you're working on at that moment. Basically the whole point of minimizing is so it doesn't switch to those windows. If you need it, keep it on your desktop, thats what it is for, if you don't you close the document. Minimizing is a bit like a halfway point between that: I don't want with this document on my desktop right now but I might need it in a bit so I'll just stash it in the dock.

[WayneBro]

> I'd hate for this behavior to change,

So, how about an option for the rest of us who like the Windows way better?

[Aaargh20318]

You can switch to Windows.

There should not be an option, that would almost be worse. If you start messing with the fundamental concept of how the desktop works things become a mess. Options just mean the developer is too afraid to make a choice.

[WayneBro]

I have to use both.

There should be an option, for the simple reason that I and many, many others like me want one.

And I can also use trite phrases to prove my point: One size does not fit all.

> If you start messing with the fundamental concept of how the desktop works things become a mess.

No, they don't. It means there's an option to change something to the way the user wants it to be.

> Options just mean the developer is too afraid to make a choice.

No, it doesn't. Options mean that the developer lives in reality. The reality again is: One size does not fit all.

Furthermore, the numerous third party tools that actually add this option haven't made OS X fall apart or stop operating. It doesn't stop me from doing one single thing. It changes the one behavior that I wanted changed. The only problem with third party tools is that they're third party and they don't have all the API access that Apple has. So empirically, you're wrong.

Your sense of aesthetic is also way off if you think OS X has got window management right. Numerous hard core Mac fans disagree with you on that one and everybody else in the world using Windows likes it just the way it is. I think the only facet of the Mac OS that is decried even more than the bad window management is the Finder.

[Aaargh20318]

> And I can also use trite phrases to prove my point: One size does not fit all.

That doesn't matter. Conceptual integrity is more important than you having to relearn some habits.

> No, they don't. It means there's an option to change something to the way the user wants it to be.

No, it means breaking the conceptual integrity of the desktop as it implemented on OS X. Once you start mixing things up ,that's when it gets confusing. Unlearn your Windows habits.

[WayneBro]

> That doesn't matter.

Yes, it does.

> Conceptual integrity is more important than you having to relearn some habits.

It's not about habits at all. I haven't made that argument once, you're assuming that is the case here. Stop doing that. It's a really, really weak argument and an obvious straw-man.

Conceptual integrity is important, but OS X doesn't have any conceptual integrity in the area of window management. It's absolutely and totally illogical.

> Unlearn your Windows habits.

There is no habit here. Windows window management is logical, consistent and generally preferred by most people over the way OS X does things.

You need to learn how to think about things more logically.

[Aaargh20318]

> Conceptual integrity is important, but OS X doesn't have any conceptual integrity in the area of window management. It's absolutely and totally illogical.

Just because you don't understand it doesn't mean it's illogical, it just means you don't understand it. Learn.