Hi everyone.
Sorry it took so long to reply, but have been busy lately. As to the changes on OSX, here is where it stands so far. Mr. Welch is correct in that it is a developer release, but he is overlooking (or failed to mention 
) one important thing. The whole point, at least for Apple, on developer releases is to get the interest NOT ONLY of developers (such as Microsoft, Macromedia, etc.) but to also spark a new interest into computer owners themselves, such as the average international family. If this were not true, then what would be the point of designing a new interface? None, an interface is hardly the main concern of a developer. So, of course a developers release is meant to be important to the public.
Secondly, as of the latest Developer Release, while the actual eye-candy is the same, (and as of this week is supposed to be the final look for OS X, give or take a few (very few) color choices), the major code has had quite a large overhaul. THE DESKTOP IS RETURNING!!!!!!!! Yes, all family oriented users can rejoice! You will once again be able to use the Desktop as you can on OS 8 and 9 (9 is plauged with small errors though, consider staying away from it, but that is another topic all together ). While the desktop will remain unchanged in its function, the actual Finder, that application located in your System Folder, will not be. The whole scheme behind the "Dock" is still an integeral part of OS X.
Along that line, as in OS 8.5 where you can choose to use a SIMPLE FIINDER, or the FULL FINDER, why not simply allow users to choose between a DOCK, or the ORIGIONAL FINDER? That way, those who prefer the whole WINDOWS setup can be at home, and those of us (myself included) that prefer the Finder of systems long gone will feel quite at home.
Oh hacking Unix, I myself do not claim to be a hacker of any sort, but from a few of my friends and associates, a Unix database or file structure is much easier to hack than a Macintosh OS. A friend of mine who owns a copy of Macintosh OS X Server put it up on a local area network, using a 500mhz G4, 364mb of RAM. He then allowed a few well known less-than-honest fellows (hackers by trade ) to attempt to break into it. In just over 4 days of continues hack attempts, only by using multiple IP nukes and bombers where they able to significantly slow down the OS, nothing more. Unix systems however, like Windows NT, can be hacked quite easily through forgotten back doors of programmers or simple problems with code, as many governmental and buisness assocations have discovered over the last two years.
Unix does have its advantages yes, but for security purposes, which is one reason why Mac OS servers are quite popular, it has major flaws. Attempting to write programs with Unix based code and certain kernels or shells is quite useful, but turning the Mac into a colorful Unix is not really what we are looking for, is it?
Therefore, I would say that userwise, many of us will not see or be effected by OS X programming changes (if the desktop does remain as planned and something about the whole "Dock" or "Application Browser" is changed to allow familiar OS abilities), then OS X would seem like a solid $100-$150 investment. Others of us though, along the programming route many notice substantial changes in the way we work. With time, we can adjust, and while not convenient, the pluses theoretically outway the negatives.
As usual though, Developers releases are in DEVELOPMENT, so anything can happen. Until I hear different, I would say OS X is becoming a better investment every day!
(Excuse any spelling mistakes I may have made, and I apologize for this great length, but I hope that my knowledge can enrich the opinions of others in a positive way.)
------------------
As I travel through the
gates of hell to face the
deamons, I know my knife
is by my side, and that
all hell can't stop me
