The obvious fix for auto-close is to make applications close immediately when, and only when, the last window is closed. Then the user can associate it with an action they took. But the business of closing apps because windows are minimized is just creepy.
As to auto-save, get over it. I never want to lose another hour of work because I haven't saved and a damn app crashes or hangs. The model that Google Docs uses works for me. It auto-saves periodically (the saved state is visible at all times) and the user can save more often if desired. But it would be fine with me if Lion somehow managed to save continuously (and performantly) and take Save out of my vocabulary.
As to auto-save, get over it. I never want to lose another hour of work because I haven't saved and a damn app crashes or hangs. The model that Google Docs uses works for me. It auto-saves periodically (the saved state is visible at all times) and the user can save more often if desired. But it would be fine with me if Lion somehow managed to save continuously (and performantly) and take Save out of my vocabulary.