I went ambivalent on this one because I have my Dock on the bottom, so the 3D background looks cool for me. The 2D version does seem more usable, though, so I may switch, and it's absolutely essential for side-mounted usage.

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So far, I prefer the 2d... but i guess, just when I started using OS X, I'll probably get used to the 3d one... Changes can be so hard some times... ;)

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i think if images of the docks posted on the side of the screen were added, Leopard wouldn't be doing so well.

It looks horrible on the side.


Michael

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You won't see such a picture, because it's no longer possible to have a 3D dock on the side of the screen. When you drag the dock to the side, it becomes 2D automagically.

-rob.

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I always put my dock on the left side, since my screen is wider than it is tall, but it seems to me that the general idea of a 3d dock has promise, since there is obviously another dimension that could be manipulated. For example, information about running processes (CPU usage, memory usage, ...?) could be encoded by moving the icon back and forth in the "3rd" dimension. It may be one of those things that develops incrementally: once the 3d dock has sunk in for a while, its possibilities may become more apparent.

Greg Shenaut

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I voted 2D because the 3D seems to have too much "visual noise" obscuring the icons. It is pretty though. I think I'll have to see it live before making a final decision.

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Voted "no preference." I barely use the dock for anything. If I could remove it entirely and put the trash can in the lower right corner, I'd do it.

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Try actually using the 3D dock -- the reflections are REALLY annoying while you're working.

-ch

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What we really need is a way to keep the 3D Dock, but remove the "Floor"!

I used to use a tool called TransparentDock to remove the box and transluscent background from the Panther/Tiger Dock altogether... It couldn't be updated to work on an Intel Mac (see link to product page), so I stopped using it. That has always been my preference, though, and Apple really needs to make that possible again.

It would also make it possible to easily switch the Dock to the side as well...

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Not having seen the 3D dock in person yet I have to ask - if you remove the floor, wouldn't that make it identicall to a transparent 2D dock?

About making the dock transparent, I was using TransparentDock for a while, but I discovered ClearDock, which is free and has worked in every version of OSX so far.

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I prefer the 10.4 dock. Which is just as well since I can't upgrade any of my home Macs to 10.5 (none meet the minimum requirements.)

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--- What?

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Let's see:

I keep my dock hidden

I have so many icons on my dock that it is really small

I use program switcher (Apple-Tab) or exposé to change programs

I use Quicksilver to launch programs

So I don't really care. On the other hand, the new System Preferences icon could take some getting used to...

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A problem I see is that all OSX icons are designed to have a 3D look when viewed in 2D Finder windows, using semi-transparent shadows.

Try this: look at the top of the 3D dock and think that the icons are on the desktop; it makes sense, these are 3D objects that have a shadow. Then move your eyes to the bottom of the dock, you get perspective, things are now in a space with no plane to cast a shadow on. The icons still have their overhanging shadows though, which appear as dirt out of nowhere.

Feel comfy with the pretty look?

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Could this be one of those "Maybe you should get out more?" questions?? ;-)

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I typically have around 20 icons sitting in the dock, more when i start parking apps on the right side. While having multiple spaces would elimate some of that, the icons will still be small. Since the 3D effect takes more width, the icons will have to smaller still...

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Using a rusty Amiga 4000T & a shiny Mac PowerBook G4

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2D Dock...3D Dock...it doesn't really matter to me. I have the Dock hidden when I'm not using it anyway.

What I really don't like is the new transparent menu bar!!

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