Re: No 5250-based applications

["Nathan M. Andelin" <nathanma@xxxxxxxxx>]

> From: "John Taylor" <john.taylor@telusplanet.net>
>
> Thank's for the qualification, but I'm still curious. What type of
> applications are you talking about here? I've yet to see a real data entry
> web-app that compares to what can be done using 5250 or client-server. And
> unless they offer equivalent functionality, it's difficult to make a
> comparison about which technology provides a more productive development
> environment.

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.

For example:

http://209.150.202.196/rd1200/rd1200s.htm shows a couple of screen shots
from the 5250 interface, while:
http://209.150.202.196/rd1200/begin.isp is a demo of the Web interface.

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.

>Perhaps I'm too dumb to see it, but what is the advantage
>of a browser interface to an internal corporate end-user?

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.

Nathan.



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