Re: GUI necessary?

> Wow! That's a pretty strong statement. Are you saying that a multi-tasking,
> Windowed interface does not add to your productivity? Prior to windowed
> desktops (note, the reference to teh generic concept not Gate's cash cow)
> the only way you could do more than one thing with the AS/400 was with
> multiple terminals or kludgy old group jobs.

Agree. "Window-ed" sessions is by far more productive than multiple
group jobs or even the old dual/quad session terminals.

> The value of GUI is more than simply offering your users checkboxes and
> pulldown menus. GUI offers your users an easily switchable context of
> applications, launched at their need. Beyond the sexy appeal of GUI, it's
> fundamental importance is in letting users control their desktop context. Go
> poll the bean counters today using a 5250 emulator and Excel concurrently.
> Ask them if they'd like to go back to the days of a PC on desk and a 5250
> dumb terminal on the other. Hardly. It doesn't matter that one of the apps
> they're using (perhaps the one they're using most) is a green-screen
> wannabe. They are in control and can launch the apps of their choice, and
> download data to these apps, as needed.
> 
> As for GUIs not making good heads down data entry devices, that's a
> green-screen myth of the highest order. Have you ever used Quicken? It is
> hands down the best data entry I've ever used!


Disagree. Many users are confused by the GUI interface, or are mouse
constrained. There are just some people who just don't get it. Also, to
say that a GUI interface is as fast as regular 5250 type displays is
ridiculous. I have used Quicken, and yes it is fast data entry, but not
as fast as a 5250 type display for purely heads down entry. The GUI
always gets in the way, and the user will always have to watch what
he/she is doing to make sure that there in the right check box or
whatever.

Also, for GUI to function, the speed at which the data is returned must
be instantaneous. If you have used the Operations Navigator or any other
product that requires AS/400 data, you will realize that for most
people, the data does not update in a timely manner. If you have to wait
3-5 seconds for a tree to build of User Profiles or 10 seconds for a
list to fill with customers or whatever, then you are being less
productive than if you had a green screen. If the GUI connections
(client/server) connections were as fast as 5250 type connections, this
would be different.

Also, I feel that most developers of GUI (Client/server) systems don't
look at their target audience before deciding on the interface. For
example, I know a company that is developing a stock receiving product.
This product will allow a receiving clerk to receive inventory more
quickly than through normal (5250) means. This sounds great and works
good on paper, except most of the companies that I work for don't have a
PC system in the hands of their non-english speaking receiving clerk,
especially a PC with the requirements that this product needs to
function more quickly than that old 5250. Most companies don't want to
place a $2000 PC on the shop floor in an area that is normally pretty
dirty.
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