RE: No 5250-based applications

Most of us in the IT industry make the mistake of judging data entry
performance solely on how quickly the key strokes can be made by the user.

Keep in mind display recognition plays a very big part, especially to a
novice user.

Ken Slaugh  (707) 795-1512 x118
Chouinard & Myhre, Inc.
AS/400 Professional Administrator/MSE
Client Access Specialist
http://www.cm-inc.com/


                                                                                
            
                    "John Taylor"                                               
            
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                    Sent by:                   Subject:     RE: No 5250-based 
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                    owner-midrange-l@mi                                         
            
                    drange.com                                                  
            
                                                                                
            
                                                                                
            
                    04/26/01 06:42 PM                                           
            
                    Please respond to                                           
            
                    MIDRANGE-L                                                  
            
                                                                                
            
                                                                                
            






> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-midrange-l@midrange.com
> [mailto:owner-midrange-l@midrange.com]On Behalf Of Nathan M. Andelin
>
> In a previous message (a week or more ago) I made reference to a 5250
> program that I recently converted to a Web browser interface.  I
> use it for
> inquiry, data entry, and file maintenance.  Please forgive the double
> posting if you've already seen it.
>

Thank's for posting it again. I missed it last week.

>
> The functionality is equivalent.  Except that the Web version has a
"help"
> page.  You might have to explore the screen closely to see where
> I've hidden
> the "help" link.  Incidentally, I found it to be easier to build
> a help page
> in HTML vs. a help panel group common to 5250 screens.
>


I wouldn't say that it's equivalent. The 5250 version begins with a list
display, which lets you compare data between items. That's a very useful
type of display in the business world. You didn't duplicate that in the web
version. I know you could add a link that a user could click to generate a
comparison table on another page, but I've always found it more useful to
start with the list, then drill down to where you need to go.

However, I do like what you've done. The single-item panel view is
certainly
functional enough, probably more intuitive for most users, and definitely
easier on the eyes.

This particular example lends itself to a stateless connection though. Have
you done something more complex that involves multiple panels where the
user
has to follow a particular sequence?


> To the data entry clerk, I'm not sure whether the browser interface is
> preferable.  To the VP of Marketing, who hardly remembers his AS/400
> password, the GUI makes a big difference.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. If you check the archives of these
lists, you'll see that I'm a big fan of GUI. I can see where your web
version could easily be tweaked to result in an improvement over the 5250
display, but it still wouldn't be as good as a rich client GUI. Or could
it????


John Taylor
Canada






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