With version 10.5.2 of OS X, Apple added the ability to display an icon in the menu bar for the Time Machine application. And this is of some use. For instance, when backing up the hands go backwards.
But then again, I know the backup is running:
- things have slowed up a little,
- my backup disk is making a noise like someone scrunching up a plastic bag and
- the access light on my back disk is blinking fit to bust.
Yes, a strain of sarcasm is deftly hidden their.
So why else might Apple have added this optional* icon (*you can turn it off in System Preferences)?
Well the Time Machine can be turned on and off. Indeed, that’s nearly all you can do with it. In the typically Apple – austere way (which brings clarity, so this is a compliment), there is almost nothing else you can do with respect to this application. But, let’s face it, turning it on or off is pretty important, so no complaints from me over a lack of buttons and lights.
Returning to the icon in the menu bar and imagining why one might want an icon, it is not too difficult to connect the dots and answer: “to provide information about something”. Sounds right so far, and as noted, of the two main things I might want to know, is Time Machine doing a backup right now (I don’t need to know this but we’ll let that one go) and is Time Machine turned on; the icon tells us… Yes, you’ve guessed it, only one and it’s the entirely useless one. BUMP!
So, if you expected something really useful from your Time Machine menu bar icon, such as it being dimmed to 38% visible if Time Machine is turned off and back at 100% visible when it is turned on, you’ll just have to wait until 10.5.? when someone over at Apple in the HCI / UI team figures this daft omission out.
Footnote: I’ll bet this was considered and rejected. I would just love to know why, as I am certain they made the wrong call.
