Re: Opinions please: GUI vs. 5250

["Jack Mullins" <jmullins@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I agree that punching a button is easier and quicker than reaching for the
mouse, that is why I design my GUI applications using function key, tab key,
standard windows navigation keys (hot keys) and whatever other shortcuts I
can think of to keep my user's hands on the keyboard.  I can't argue that
5250 green screen keying isn't faster on a well laid out program but a well
laid out GUI can work nearly as fast.  The only real loss, where keying is
concerned, is the loss of the field+, field- and field exit keys.  However,
I haven't tried this but using key press routines, I'm pretty sure that I
could emulate those keys if I needed to.  Anyway, I don't want to get into a
holy war of GUI versus green screen, but I do think that GUI can be friendly
if it is designed well.  Personally, I prefer 5250 because it is very low
maintenance, as someone else has already stated.

JMHO,

Jack Mullins
Sun Ergoline
P.O. Box 2026
Jonesboro, AR 72402
http://www.sunergoline.com
jackm@sundash.com
870.935.1130 x 109



Personally I think the old green screen is fine for most legacy
applications. I can press a number faster than I can grab my mouse, move it
to the tab, and double click.

But then there are people who just HAVE to have that 'point and click'
system.



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Urbanek, Marty [SMTP:Marty_Urbanek@stercomm.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 9:34 AM
> To: 'MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com'
> Subject: Opinions please: GUI vs. 5250
>
> What do you think about GUI (client/server, thick or thin client)
> interfaces
> to AS/400 (iSeries!) business applications versus traditional 5250 "green
> screen"? Which do you prefer and why? From the user perspective? From the
> support perspective? What is your reaction to "hybrid" applications which
> use green screen for some functions and GUI for others? All opinions
> appreciated. Thanks!
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