Xref: utzoo comp.lang.c:15316 comp.unix.wizards:13954 Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!rutgers!att!alberta!ubc-cs!van-bc!sl From: sl@van-bc.UUCP (pri=-10 Stuart Lynne) Newsgroups: comp.lang.c,comp.unix.wizards Subject: Re: spiffy terminals (was: printf, data presentation) Message-ID: <2117@van-bc.UUCP> Date: 7 Jan 89 21:58:20 GMT References: <443@marob.MASA.COM> <9287@smoke.BRL.MIL> <9307@smoke.BRL.MIL> Reply-To: sl@van-bc.UUCP (pri=-10 Stuart Lynne) Organization: Wimsey Associates, Vancouver, BC. Lines: 39 In article <9307@smoke.BRL.MIL> gwyn@brl.arpa (Doug Gwyn (VLD/VMB) ) writes: >In article bruce@blue.gwd.tek.com (Bruce Robertson) writes: >>Please explain how a $2K model 630 is so much better than a $350 >>Wyse-50 for someone doing, say, database entry all day. Another >>example: factory floor diagnostics, which can benefit from screen >>manipulation, but don't really gain anything from graphics. > >You're misleading yourself by concentrating on the bitmap graphics >aspect of the 630. Much more relevant are the following: I agree. There is much more to a graphics display than just graphics. The examples given are definetly area's that can benefit from an improved user interface. One problem is the increased time and expense of developing software to incorporate new and better user interfaces. A prime example is the Macintosh. Almost any user can be doing fairly interesting and useful tasks with very limited training, but the cost of developing the programs for the Macintosh is higher due to developing the user interface. The primary advantage of the Mac interface is it's uniformity across applications, ease of use for non computer literate users and fast learning curve. It can also present data in more traditional and flexible ways (like emulating dials, buttons, etc). For the factory floor this means giving your factory worker more information in a more familiar format and less training time. For the database entry application you can have (for example) several screens that can be interacted with, again with less training involved. The bottom line is cost. The end users have and will continue to look at the bottom line. Sophisticated end users will generally look at all costs such as training and productivity improvements to counter increased capital costs for a more sophisticated system (i.e. graphics display, user friendly interface). Non-sophisticated end users will typically just look at the capital costs and go for a bare bones systems (i.e. your XXXX brand 80x24 terminal). -- Stuart.Lynne@wimsey.bc.ca {ubc-cs,uunet}!van-bc!sl Vancouver,BC,604-937-7532