Window doesn't open window all the way using "+" sign

Question

I made the switch from Windows to Mac a few years back and besides not having a HDD activity light, the biggest pet peeve I have about Apple's OS's is that they don't allow you to click on the "+" sign in the upper left hand corner of an open window to get the window to open fully or maybe it's a trick that I haven't been taught. I works when you use it while using "TextEdit" but not on other applications that I've used. They added that feature to Safari for Windows so I'm sure that it would be no problem to insert that line of code in Leopard or Tiger that would take care of that. It would be moot point to ask Apple why so my question is, does anyone know of a 3rd party app. that does that job for you? The only reason I'm asking is because it's a real time saver for me and I'm sure for a lot of others.

Answer 1

firstmacnewbie,
I'll explain the issue, even though it doesn't help you. You see, Windows does a few things as a result of historic deficiencies that it has had. Just so we're clear, these deficiencies are no longer present in modern versions of Windows, but Windows users are accustomed to the little quirks that accompany them- all of which still exist in Windows- nonetheless.
Most of these issues relate to Windows' historic lack of multi-tasking. In your case, you are used to the behaviors of a machine and OS that will only display one window at a time, one application at a time (again, this is historically, but the tendencies still exist). When Windows would only display one application window, users got into the habit of viewing and using only one thing at a time.
Another glaring difference that springs from the same historic lack of multi-tasking is the use of "cut and paste" for file system objects. Because Windows would only display one "snapshot" of the file system, in one window, some "workaround" had to be invented to allow users to move files from one place to another. Thus "cut and paste." Because the Mac OS has almost always been able to display multiple windows, and has almost always had drag and drop functionality, user were able to simply drag files from one place to another. No "cut and paste" was needed. Keep in mind that "cut and paste" is an abstract concept, not related to reality, while drag and drop is very much intuitive and realistic (when you want to move a real object somewhere, you cannot simply toss it up in the air, trusting that it will stay in some abstract "ether" until its destination is convenient. No, you must physically move it from the first place to the second, holding it in the meantime).
Getting back to your specific issue: You would be better served by getting used to the way things are in Mac OS, which is designed around the concept of having and using multiple open windows. This precludes opening windows up beyond their reasonable usefulness. This is especially true with today's modern displays, which sport high resolutions and large amounts of Desktop "real estate." I actually have my Safari window opened up a little beyond what is necessary to display any and all web pages, and it still consumes not much more than half of my display. Why would I want to open it more (it wouldn't show any more of any web page), hampering my ability to access either the Finder or some other application? Why would you? Again, you would be better served by "unlearning" your Windows habits.
Scott