The Dock

This just came to me while I was sitting here tweaking some settings on my laptop, I haven’t fully thought it out and I don’t know what a better all around alternative is, but here is is anyway: I HATE THE DOCK!

I don’t know why, there’s just something about it.  I usually don’t have more then 4 apps running at a time (and that’s if you even consider Finder and app), so why do I need this thing sitting around taking up space?  Yeah, you can hide it, I still bump into it and it pops up though.  Why can’t I totally disable it?

This isn’t just a rant on OSX though, I could say the same thing about Windows, but it is a slightly different story.  On Windows the taskbar identifies open windows (tasks), not running applications, and this is great for seeing what you have minimized to return to later.  I maximize and minimize windows (on Windows) all day at work, but how often do you minimize Safari or iTunes on OSX?  If I need more space to see my desktop I use create a new ‘Space’ with Spaces, or use Expose (F9, F10, or F11) to get the info I need or switch windows.

I love aesthetics too, I want a simple, clean minimalistic interface.  If I don’t have a use for something or it looks out of place it drives me nutz.  The dock looks out of place to me.  Sure, you can put the dock in different places, the bottom and the sides, but why oh why does the dock change it’s appearance when you put it on the side?  You can theme the bottom one, why not the sides?

In the next release of OSX I think they should offer a ‘mouse-less mode’, so that power users with aesthetic neuroses like me can be put at ease.  I’m thinking an interface totally controlled by Command-Tab and Quicksilver.  Maybe I’m overreacting, or maybe I should just switch to Linux and use ratpoison.

UPDATE: I found Dock Gone recently, and it seems to fulfill my need.  I’m much calmer now.