Overflow vs. Stacks
Ever since the Stacks feature of OS X 10.5 was announced, people have been calling it an Overflow killer. To be honest, we weren’t exactly sure how the new feature would pan out in comparison to Overflow. It sure looked similar enough in last summer’s WWDC Keynote presentation! Even more frustratingly, since we later had access to Leopard developer seeds and were under a non-disclosure agreement, we couldn’t talk about the finer points of how Stacks actually worked. Now that Leopard is out, we finally can!
One thing that you may notice is that Stacks actually takes away some functionality that use to exist. Previous to Leopard, you could place a folder in the dock and access its contents through the dock menu. In Leopard, this menu no longer exists. If you like this kind of quick menu-based access to your applications or documents, then it’s Overflow to the rescue!
Or, if you are using Overflow in the no-dock mode, you can access the same list from the status menu item.
As far as the rest of Stacks functionality, and how that compares with Overflow, it’s really up to you as a user to decide what workflow fits you best. There are definitely some minimal overlaps in functionality, but for the most part Overflow is as relevant as it ever was. Stacks is great for quick access to your Downloads folder, and it’s great not to have downloads cluttering up your desktop. However, it is still basically just a quick (although now more pretty) way to access folders you have stored in the Dock. If you want quick access to a customized list of items, and want to be able to drag and drop files onto applications or folders you’ve stored, then Overflow is still the way to go.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, November 1st, 2007 at 9:15 pm.
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Word! I was totally banking on Leopard’s stacks to replace Overflow because I didn’t want to have to buy any more software (I’m not cheap, it’s just more software to tell my wife about). But, after using Leopard for a few days Stacks are NOT a good replacement for Overflow. The workflow is just not happening. It’s more of a hindrance than anything. Just like you say, good for downloads (although, I’m still really used to it going to the desktop), but not everything else. Overflow, I think I’ll buy you.
Overflow is what the dock should be, if Apple only let some of the things the dock does and stuck them in Overflow it would be bye bye dock.
You know, I was looking at the screen shots, and thought - damn - they got it right, they returned the ability to traverse the filesystem from the dock that was removed in Leopard in favor of stacks. And then I downloaded Coverflow, and realized, that really isn’t the case. You can set up your own hierarchies of files/folders, but you can’t say, select the Applications folder and traverse it the way you could in Tiger.
Most people who used this feature in Tiger were really ticked that Apple killed it in favor of Stacks, which is a more limiting implementation.
If you want to gain a bunch of customers, I’d suggest adding this feature. Once you do, you’ve got my $15.
Thanks!
Well, I purchased Overflow, but stopped using it when I discovered the folder menu in Tiger, which was very convenient for me to use. Now that this feature is no longer available in Leopard, I will be giving Overflow another look.
I wasn’t aware that you could traverse overflow’s entries via its right click menu. I wish I discovered that earlier.
Joe V.
I think overflow is way better. For one we get to choose what apps we want in there as opposed to organizing by date accessed or added, which really doesnt serve much purpose. Not to mention the ability to customize the sizes. Overflow is a true shortcut for apps.
Do what Ted says and you will see all the people frustrated by apple lack of brains when they got rid of Tigers behavior (hierarchical browsing from the dock). Please implement this and get rich, while making us happy.
I’m using Tiger and Overflow, but I do not see the ability to view the contents of folders placed into Overflow. Is there some trick to this?
I often have to open files in applications other than the default one, and I’ve recently started doing this with Overflow… Click-drag the file just a little, then shortcut to Overflow which handily appears directly under the file ready for me to drop it on the app I want! Fantastic!!! This is a feature well apart from what Stacks is about and much quicker than waiting for the contextual menu to load ‘Open With’.
Hi there,
Im new to the mac since october 07 I own a MBP (ComputerUser since ever …mhh… 8 years webdevelopment now).
One thing I liked: apple seems to be easily inspired by its community, adopting ideas and conceptsfor utilities …. just like they id with overflow.
Is this just a dreamland impression I have?
Id like to know if apple just takes away the ideas from the community or if they contact (even pay out) developers when this happens?
Or is ist just an accident that Leopard got that stacks-feature while overflow existed already?
Could you give a slight insight… in general or referring to overflow?
sincere
dennis