> I never had to do anything akin to fiddling with the Windows Registry
If I recall correctly, when I got my first Macbook, I had to edit plist files or something similar in order to do basic things like permanently showing hidden files, showing the full path in Finder, show file extensions for all file types, increase the animation speed so the computer didn't feel slow as molasses, etc, etc.
Maybe these things are now easier to configure via GUI on macOS?
One thing that is weird is that you’re expected to look around the menu bar holding the option key as the menu contents change when that is pressed (also applies to tray icon menus, e.g. WiFi icon shows a lot of stuff when option-clicked.) IIRC some of what you say can be toggled with option menu items.
The last time I was setting up a system, it's still very difficult to find in the menus. If it's not discoverable and I have to know the incantation/shortcut to do it, then that's bad UI.
If I recall correctly, when I got my first Macbook, I had to edit plist files or something similar in order to do basic things like permanently showing hidden files, showing the full path in Finder, show file extensions for all file types, increase the animation speed so the computer didn't feel slow as molasses, etc, etc.
Maybe these things are now easier to configure via GUI on macOS?