I've been looking into the next version of Mac OS X Leopard, which is set to include some dang spiffy new features that are destined to move the computing industry right along. The first, and perhaps most relevant for Mac OS X is dubbed Time Machine. Time Machine is a revolution in data backup utilities, making things much simpler and specifically designed for the average PC user, whereas normal backup solutions are usually quite complex to use let alone setup. Time Machine is quite simple to use, basically select the appropriate program that you want restored, lets say iPhoto. Then click on Time Machine in the dock, up pops this very space-age looking user interface, with two arrows on the side: one going "into space" the other going away from it. Basically, going back into the past and coming closer to the present respectively. This isn't exactly easy to explain in words, but Apple has a wonderful video of Time Machine in action at Apple: Max OS X: Leopard Sneak Peak: Time Machine.
The other new things with Leopard is Spaces. Spaces is a feature quite common to Linux users, known as Virtual Desktops in the industry currently. Neither Mac OS X nor Windows derivatives have included Virtual Desktop technology nativly (reports of Windows Vista having the function, but not having it enabled are currently circulating the IT industry), however, this technology has been available as a third-party add-ons for both operating systems starting as early as the 1980s!
Linux has included this feature for quite some time, including some very smooth graphics similar to Spaces in Leopard, thanks to the Novel Xgl technology (Xgl in action, Xgl demonstration videos from Novel). When first released, the Xgl technology made a huge impact in the Linux community, redefining the way newer distributions accomplished desktop switching. However, with recent issues regarding using and distributing the closed-source drivers from nVidia and ATI under the GPL, there have been some setbacks; notably, the Kororaa Linux LiveCD, which was heavily touted as a demonstration CD of the Xgl concept; Kororaa now does not include the drivers for nVidia or ATI, making implementing Xgl on computers with these commonly used cards difficult. There have been some distributions that have successfully worked these closed source drivers into their OS, notably openSUSE, Mandriva, Ubuntu, and Gentoo.
But I digress, Spaces in Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5) should be quite the interesting experience, especially for the Linux/Mac OS users of us out there... It'll be interesting to see the similarities between the two, especially in regards to Xgl. I can't wait to see Leopard in person and really get my hands into the OS.
Other sources
ComputerWorld: Apple's Time Machine: Forward into the Past?
ComputerWorld: Spaces: A look at Apple's take on virtual desktops in Leopard
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