Among the revelations: Apple plans to add a Unix-style command line to Mac OS X, and it will offer tools to make it easier for developers to support the Velocity Engine multimedia extension built into Motorola's PowerPC G4 processor.
Representing Apple (aapl) were Steve Glass, vice president of Mac OS 9 and software services; Bertrand Serlet, vice president of desktop systems software; Tim Holmes, manager, Mac OS Technology Group, worldwide developer relations; Godfrey DiGiorgi, development tools technology manager, worldwide developer relations; and several Apple engineers on hand to field technology questions.
Responding to a hacker's comment that Mac OS X needs to look more like a traditional Mac interface, representatives said they were working to make the transition as comfortable as possible, but that some older parts of the system will have to be changed. While Apple is trying to keep some conventions, the message was clear: it is impossible to maintain the Platinum interface forever.
Apple also plans to add a Unix-style command line to Mac OS X but does not want the average consumer to see anything but the Aqua interface. "If the user knows that Unix is below (the Aqua interface), then we haven't done our job right," Glass said.
Responding to a query about Mac OS X Server, Apple said it will continue to develop and support the product. Future versions will look and operate like the client version of Mac OS X, but with added server capabilities.
DiGiorgi told attendees that Apple is working on a new set of tools to aid developers in optimizing their products for the G4's Velocity Engine extensions, also known as AltiVec. Mac OS X, he said, will be far more optimized for AltiVec than Mac OS 9.
One hacker received a flat "no" when he asked if Apple would release Hypercard into the open-source arena. Apple cited the time and effort it would take to tidy everything up in Hypercard and manage the project. Apple would prefer to allocate such resources to new projects, particularly Mac OS X.
This opened up a larger open-source debate, prompting Glass to state that, "Open source will not be a dumping ground for dead products."
Open source was a hot topic at the three-day show, which opened with a five-hour keynote speech by open-source guru Eric S. Raymond.
During the Apple session, some hackers lodged familiar complaints about the ergonomics of Apple's mouse and keyboard, and others mentioned DVD playback problems. Apple said it won't be able to offer a DVI adapter to allow use of LCD monitors with older Macs.
The session closed with a debate on what Apple can do to support the Mac gaming industry. Serlet said that Apple's best move to help game developers would be to put as many Macs as possible in homes to increase the potential user base.
