RE: Free OS/400

[Jim Damato <jdamato@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> But it still doesn't have a Graphical User Interface... ...but can your
Order Entry apps
> be graphical, and have that graphical interface be controlled from your
> high-level languages?

What server DOES provide a graphical user interface for its clients?  If
you're running an Unix, Linux, VMS, 390, or even NT server is any server OS
providing a distributed graphical user interface?  These days the client
interface is the function and responsibility of the client or terminal, or
some layered "terminal server" product.

If you're developing a graphical Order Entry application you have to build
the presentation from the architecture and up in a Unix world.  If you're in
an NT world Windows can provide the graphical framework at the client side,
but, as a client, Windows can provide that framework for most any server.

It would be neat if someone were providing an integrated client and server
GUI environment.  No one really is yet.  Maybe Microsoft will get there in
five years or so.  Even in the Microsoft world client and server integration
involves a lot of business decisions between different emerging
technologies.  I'm always surprised when someone slags the AS/400 for having
"no GUI".  It makes no sense to me.
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