Re: Web Interfacing Advantages?

[Steve Richter <stephenrichter@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 6/2/05, Walden H. Leverich <WaldenL@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> 
> You mentioned one other interesting thing though, that the old school
> guys "do not see a
> need to move any of the apps." And that's something you should consider.
> Make sure you're moving green screen apps to the browser for a valid
> business reason -- "because it's cool" isn't a valid business reason.
> You're spending time, money and effort when you move a screen from 5250
> to the browser, if there's a business reason, great, if not leave it
> where it is. This is a decision the users and management should be
> involved in, not something IT decides. If the business will benefit from
> web, get there, but if it won't, the "old school" guys may still know a
> thing or two.

If the old school guys level of knowledge of .NET is anything like
what I knew of it this time last year, then I dont think the OSGs know
enough to make that judgement.  Sure, the OSGs know the applications
and that is critical, but if you dont know what can or cant be done
with an asp.net web page or how long it takes to put one together,
then you will not know what it takes to front end or replace those RPG
applications.

The current version of .NET has not been changed since it was
released, what?, 4 years ago.  This year .NET 2.0 is being released
for general availability.  Couple that with the 64 bit windows and
dual core technologies being released also this year, by this time
next year Windows will be in a very strong position.  I am not trying
to pull anyones chain by posting this,  if you are an RPG programmer
in a Windows/AS400 shop ( compared to Linux/as400 ) you have to be
ready for what is to come.  And that is you have to learn .NET and
start using it to front end your RPG applications.

-Steve