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Subject:Re: Another Term for GUI From:sng <sngotler -at- GOTLER -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 8 Jun 1998 09:51:41 -0400
I don't think the term is obsolete at all. There are still other types of
interfaces, even with windows-based products, such as:
- API (application programming interface)
- text-based
- command-line
I agree that many users might not know the term "GUI". But, I don't think
that "windows-based" is accurate enough. To me, it implies a program
written for Windows (the Microsoft OS). At most, it means a program that
runs in a graphically-oriented OS (such as Windows, Mac, or OSF/Motif). GUI
implies that user's don't "type" much to accomplish the task at hand. They
simply point and click.
For example, the scripting interface to Multimedia ToolBook: it is
certainly "windows-based", but I wouldn't call it a GUI because you have to
manually write lines of code. It is, at most, an API. On the other hand,
calling Adobe Illustrator just a "windows-based" program doesn't do it
justice. It is nearly 100% GUI.
How many times in a manual do you need to tell your audience what kind of
interface the program uses? Just define the term at the beginning and in
the glossary, and then use it when needed. The context will be clear from
your writing.
Steve Gotler
Gotler Technical Services
sngotler -at- gotler -dot- com
www.gotler.com
----------
From: Melonie Holliman
Sent: Monday, June 08, 1998 9:03 AM
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Subject: Re: Another Term for GUI
Howdy,
I have experienced the exact same situation at my current job. I work for
a backward industry. We still have our character-based system out there.
We emphasize "Windows-based" instead of GUI (mainly because our
industry tends to be computer illiterate) while our old product is
"character-based". Also, this sets us apart from our competitors since
their product is just a GUI front-end on a character-based product.
Melonie Holliman
The Tech Writer
ABM Data Systems, Inc.
Austin, TX
mrh -at- abmdata -dot- com
