RE: Saving the System i: Fight Rather Than Switch

["M Lazarus" <mlazarus@xxxxxxxx>]

Don,

 I have written my fair share of green screen pseudo-GUI programs.  Scroll
bars, pop-up windows, etc.  Functionally, they are excellent and user
friendly.  But the browser (and M$ Windows) look and feel is what the
current computer user base is used to.  Even died in the wool green
screen operators are almost always comfortable with a browser.

 Faking it with the current 5250 capabilities just won't cut it.

 -mark


> Mark: is there any reason why you can't create a GUI using existing
> keywords in DDS for example a text box in a Windows application is
> nothing more than a window with an i/o field which can be created in DDS
> with the key word Window. I know it takes a bit of typing as opposed to
> just dragging an object onto the screen from a toolbar, but the result
> is the same and you can use the mouse, and have Pushbuttons and so on...
>
> JMHO
>
>
> ******************************************
> Don Wereschuk
> ISD  - Programmer/Analyst
> Simcoe Parts Service Inc.
> Phone:   705-435-7814          Ex: 302
> Fax:         705-435-6746
> mailto:dwereschuk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> ******************************************
>  "Save the Cheerleader - Save the world"  - Hiro Nakamura
> -----Original Message-----
> From: M Lazarus [mailto:mlazarus@xxxxxxxx]
> Sent: Monday, December 11, 2006 2:30 PM
> To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
> Subject: Re: Saving the System i: Fight Rather Than Switch
>
> Trevor,
>
>  Having an HTTP server does NOT match my definition of GUI.  I want to
> be
> able to (at least start to) GUI'ize my applications by using the EXFMT
> keyword (maybe w/ some extensions) and not have to have multiple
> "threads" within the program whether the client is a browser or green
> screen.  This would make a basic browser session within reach of the
> average RPG programmer.
>
>  I believe that it would be used FAR more than anything that is
> available
> now, in short time - giving the applications programs a large facelift.
> More sophisticated techniques could be added later, depending on the
> user's programming proficiency and the capabilities IBM is will to build
> in.  I'm sure that they could tap into many existing routines to get the
> job done, so it would be a "from the ground up" effort.
>
>  -mark
>
>
> > Mark,
> >
> > Most people here know my thoughts on this. GUI can improve
> productivity by
> > 30 to 80 percent. And, it costs MORE for green training in today's
> modern
> > world. Data entry is human-error-prone outdated and can be replaced by
> > myriads of choices. Green screen is simply kept for familiarity and
> > resistance to change.
> >
> > I think that the System i can ALREADY be defined as matching the GUI
> > definition you have - it has an HTTP server. I think it is YOUR
> > applications
> > that are not up to speed. That is what is giving the System i the bad
> rep
> > -
> > not the OS..
> >
> > Trevor
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "M. Lazarus" <mlazarus@xxxxxxxx>
> > To: "Midrange Systems Technical Discussion" <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Monday, December 11, 2006 12:16 AM
> > Subject: Re: Saving the System i: Fight Rather Than Switch
> >
> >
> > > Trevor,
> > >
> > >  For the record, from a practical, business data entry standpoint, I
> > > don't think that a GUI has a major advantage over green screen (the
> > > exception being navigation.)  In fact, it may be a hindrance.  But,
> > > when it comes to identifying a screen / panel as being modern of old,
> > > a half decent GUI will look and fell more comfortable to the average
> > > user and manager and person in a software purchasing position.
> > >
> > >  Enhancing an application is a lot different than making it a
> > > crucial part of your application.  If I require a third party GUI
> > > application to market together with my software, then it's usually a
> > > non-starter.  It might be OK as an optional component.
> > >
> > >  BUT, and here's the key, you can throw as many 3rd party GUI
> > > vendors as you out there into the mix, but the system won't be known
> > > in the marketplace as having a native GUI.
> > >
> > >  As far as the name is concerned, if IBM was truly pushing the brand
> > > name - AND added the modern, very visible components, then I think
> > > that it would make a difference.  Anything else and it doesn't make
> > > much difference.
> > >
> > >
> > >  -mark
> >
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