CLI vs GUI

This interesting article mirrors some of the thoughts I have whenever I'm teaching computer-illiterate people to use a machine. Dialog/alert boxes, switching to the mouse, and searching through control panels in particular struck me as things I had noticed.

Well worth a read. I'm am of the opinion that a GUI has certain useful properties that make it worthwhile in some circumstances (difficult multiple selections in a file manager, image work, web browsing), but that for what most people want a CLI is perfect.

All users reported that they found the pico editor easier to use than Word or Notepad because it just tells you what to press.

I miss having only a CLI to work with — there is a certain purity and elegance that is lost as soon as I switch to a different mode of working. That's probably why I like vim so much.

Posted at 2004-03-08 13:43:28 by Richard • Link to CLI vs GUI
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The American

I was just reading the Fictionwise* newsletter, and noticed The American by Henry James. Mmm, I thought, interesting. They had an excerpt on the product page, and I enjoyed it very much. I was then pleasantly surprised to see that it was somehow on sale at the agreeable price of FREE, despite being in the newsletter at $2.99!

Purchased and done! I love it when nice surprises happen.

* Fictionwise is an excellent purveyor of ebooks in a multitude of formats. I've been buying from them for years: reasonable prices; you aren't tied to a format; great features; a wide selection, and they are a thoroughly nice company. Highly recommended.

Posted at 2004-03-08 10:07:53 by Richard • Link to The American
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