Green screen to GUI

There's an interesting discussion on iSeries Network about the perception of
the AS400/iSeries/i5.  In the area of green screen vs GUI, a poster makes
the following observation (pay particular attention to the second
paragraph):

<thepost>

IBM's Developer's Road Map is IBM's way of recusing itself from dealing with
the reality of the green-screen dilemma. Even if you accept the WebSphere
value proposition, there's a chasm between the green-screen environment and
the full-tilt Java/RPG/WebSphere environment IBM wants for its customers.
IBM proposes HATS and WebFacing: HATS is limited use; WebFacing is not much
different than being invited to tie the noose at your own hanging. CGIDEV
won't die, in spite of IBM's bumbling efforts to treat it like an old Eskimo
(push it out on an ice floe and let it die). 

Since the early 70's, IBM has, generally speaking, provided an integrated
solution for midrange customers. Consider IBM's investment in the
S/36-to-AS/400 conversion and the AS/400 S/36 environment, and you have to
wonder how IBM could miss the strategic importance of having a Blue Roadmap
for the moving to browser-based applications instead of throwing the
responsibility out to 3rd parties. I believe moving off green-screen
applications is the most signficant change the iSeries community has ever
faced, and IBM's response has been to stand on the other side of the river,
waving, and saying the water's not too cold.

</thepost>

Until I read the above, I (in the words of the caller to Mr Obvious on Bob &
Tom) had "never made the connection".  It suddenly dawned on me how well IBM
handled things for us S/36 customers going to an AS/400.  It was a complete
solution, end-to-end, at your company's pace, one step at a time, everything
covered to the nth degree.  That's what IBM did, "provide a complete
integrated solution for midrange customers" which is how IBM cultivated such
loyalty, while at the same time, we, as customers, could concentrate on
business solutions.

Contrast that with burger flipping ads.  IBM completely missed what was
needed when it came to green screen to GUI.

Oh well.  Back to work.