Differences between XP Icons and MAC Icons

The icons in an application are the soul of the application; they give it the modern and dynamic look the application has. Also, if the icons are intuitive ? the end user will easily remember the task behind the icon ? easy to memorize then the end users will definitely choose the respective application against one with clogged and strange icons. Icon designers are trying their best to make their creation as intuitive as possible so to make it easier for the end users to work with the applications.

Furthermore, a too colorful or dynamic look given by the icons of an application is not a good thing especially for the commercial applications. That is because these types of applications are used in the business sector where we don't need too many colors; the need is for simplicity and efficiency.

The differences between applications are, in part, given by their icons; different applications have different styles of icons. To the inexperienced eye, it might seem that some of them are alike but in fact they are definitely dissimilar when it comes to style, sizes, colors and file types. If we are to compare XP stock icons with MAC stock icons we can easily see they are different: different style, size, color, file type. But most of all their differences come from the way the end users perceive the icons: to some of us XP icons look better and are more appropriately used then the MAC icons, but for other the situation might be opposite.

When it comes to XP icons, many people say that XP's interface is new and more beautiful then the previous version of Windows. If we look at the new face of XP we will surely see the differences between this version and the previous version of Windows. Some people say, that at a closer look at the icons, we can observe that not all of them are new and beautiful. A few of the icons are used from the previous version without being improved at all. Some of them don't even look like the new ones and they are not even lined up with the new icons. Other people complain that some of the icons were not even changed compared with the previous version, and moreover they were borrowed from other tasks. As an example we can say that some of the icons in the administrator components of XP look alike few of the icons in the admin section. Other users complain about few font icons that were "left behind", meaning when comparing the icons in the new, larger Tile view with the traditional 32 x 32 pixels icon we can see that some of them are just scaled up from the smaller icon. Apart from the end users that criticize the new look of XP there are also users that enjoy the new face of the application. They think the interface is more appealing then the one from the old version, it is easier to change it, more easily to understand the tasks behind the icons, and basically the icons are more attractive. So, we can say that it all depends on the taste of the end users: some of them like and others don't like the new style of XP icons.

Compared with XP stock icons, MAC icons have more good reviews. It can be noticed that not too many people have something to complain about the MAC icons. Generally, people are happy and delighted about the style and colors of the MAC icons. They don't say like for the XP icons that are to colorful and bright, the end users believe that MAC icons are serious and well integrated into the application. But comparing the number of XP users with the number of MAC users, the proportion is disadvantageous for the MAC users and this is maybe why the number of complaints about the look and the integration of the icons is so small almost nonexistent.

The XP icons and MAC icons have different file type extensions and that is why they cannot be exchanged between applications unless you convert them. There are various applications that can convert MAC icons to be used in XP style applications and the other way around. This is of course an advantage because if you use both operating systems it will be quite difficult to adapt to both of them, so it is best to adapt the applications by using the icons from one of them (which ever you like best) for the other. Because the XP and MAC icons are different, icon designer must know from the start for what type of application are you going to use the icons. It is best to know from the beginning if the icons are for XP or MAC applications because their style, format, file type are quite different and converting them after finalization is not that easy. Above this, after conversion the icons will not have the same good quality as before.

Regarding the file type extension, XP icons use the .ico extension and the MAC icons use the .icns extension. Compared with XP icons, that always have the extension besides the name of the file, MAC icons do not always display extension .icns. Another difference between XP and MAC icons is that MAC icons are not like traditional icons, their custom image is not displayed on the file like an image but it is stored inside the file as data. Unlike the MAC icons, XP icons display the image they represent, being easier to identify them. Another difference between those to types of icons is that for XP icons the number of sizes most often used is of four: 8 x 8 pixels, 16 x 16 pixels, 32 x 32 pixels and 64 x 64 pixels, while for the MAC icons the common sizes are 32 x 32 pixels, 48 x 48 pixels and sometimes 128 x 128 pixels.

If you are looking for professional icons please go to http: http://www.iconshock.com - icon design.

---

The Most Important Question To Ask About Your Web Site!

When you design a website how do you start ?Do... Read More

Some Useful Common Site Ideas

In my web surfing adventures, I've found a few site... Read More

Quality Web Copy is the Key to Success

Many websites make the mistake of being all flash and... Read More

Graphic Design Using Color

Color is everywhere and conveys a message even if we... Read More

Save Thousands of Dollars by Creating Your Own Web Site

With the advent of the Internet a whole new vista... Read More

A Web Site That Sells Is All One Needs To Have A Successful Online Business!

There are more than billions of Web Sites, running Online... Read More

Building Your Website to Save You Money

Does your website make you any money? Does it SAVE... Read More

Web-Safe Fonts for Your Site

Choosing the right typeface for your website copy is important,... Read More

Building An Effective Furniture Sales Web Site

Web sites that feature products ? especially furniture or other... Read More

Size Does Matter!

In this article we will be looking at why you... Read More

Leave Those Links Blue!

Don't mess with those links! When you're designing your site,... Read More

Love at First Site: Giving Your Website Visitors the right Impression

Think of the people who visit your site as blind... Read More

Get FASTER Download Times By Making BIGGER Web Pages!

As a webmaster you already know how important it is... Read More

Don?t Put Your Slogan in the Title Tag - Optimize Your Web Pages

Don't just put your slogan in the title tag when... Read More

Give Your Website A Chance

I often wonder how serious people are when it comes... Read More

14 Ways to Add Content to Your Web Site - Part 2

7. Create high quality content - make clear points with... Read More

Web Design: Use it to Showcase the Message

If you are designing a web site for which the... Read More

Website Design: Color Me Blue

Chris, a new consulting client, asked me to help him... Read More

Do You Want To Save Time With Your Web Design?

It starts off simply; a few HTML pages, a few... Read More

Tips For An Effective Website

A successful website is something that everyone venturing into the... Read More

The Contrast And Similarities Between A Web Designer And Web Programmer

The concept of web designing based on the nature and... Read More

Caveat Scriptor: Use the Advice of Those Who Know Before You Build a Site

~A man [woman] is a success if he [she] gets... Read More

Choosing the Right Web Designer

Creating your web site can be a tricky process. Choosing... Read More

Web Design Tips To Boost Your Sales

The way you design your web site affects your visitors'... Read More

The Best Simple Software For The Busy Webmaster

Here are a few programs I can't do without. They're... Read More

You Need RSS, Atom, and ROR/RDF Codes on Your Website--Now You Need Google Sitemap as Well!

Do you have a website? If so, you need an... Read More

Creating a Compelling Headline for Your Private Practice Website

Your home page is the most important page of your... Read More

What Is Your Websites Most Wanted Response?

You spend time and money promoting your website; but what... Read More

If Content is King who is Queen?

It's been said again and again, when it comes to... Read More

How to Design a Search Engine Friendly Web Site

Many web site designers don't design their sites for the... Read More

Usability Lessons from the Hospital

Usability isn't only for Web design. It's also applicable in... Read More

Website Design Considerations

Q: Should I build and maintain my business Web site... Read More

Alternative to Web Site Templates and Design Software

Before I discovered the concept of Web site templates, I... Read More