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INTERFACE OPTIONS
There is much concern these
days about the type of interface an application offers. Many
people prefer the Windows style or browser based graphical interfaces.
Others prefer the more traditional text-based interface because of it's
speed and economy. Most companies need a combination of
interfaces either because of varied user preferences or because of
already installed equipment.
We have chosen UNIX
as the preferred server operating system and filePro as the data base
engine so we can offer a multitude of interfaces that can all query the
same data base information at the same time. Pick and choose from among
these options to access our programs:
1. Dumb terminals such
as Wyse 50s, 60s, 150s; Tandy dt100s, dt110s; Links; etc. that are
serially wired with RS232 cable or silver satin wire. Multiple sessions
can be running on each terminal with the use of a product called
Facetterm™.
2. The UNIX console or
console emulators (pizza boxes) that offer multi session logins and
colors on a text based screen.
3. Thin client
terminals that use serial or network connections such as the Axel
Platine. These are network boxes that plug into a hub or switch and can
connect to any server on the network. They offer multiple sessions in
color at speeds of 10 megabits per second.
4. PC desktop computers
running terminal emulator software such as Anita, IceTen, ProComm, Tiny
Term, Term, Anzio, etc. Our favorite emulator is Anita which gives a
Windows look and feel. A user can run any Windows application at the
same time they are logged into the UNIX system, and switch between
applications with the click of a mouse. Data can be copied between the
Unix system and Windows applications.
5. A totally graphical
interface called fpClient/Server is offered by fp Technologies, Inc.,
the makers of the filePro data base. This gives a total Windows
interface with mouse control, cut and paste, etc.
Because of the
flexibility of interfaces, a company can satisfy all users within the
organization. They can use the text-based interfaces for remote users
coming into the system via modem, multiplexer, port server, or similarly
slow lines and not see any degradation of speed. Users on a Windows,
NT, or Novell network can telnet, SSH, or VPN into the UNIX system with
their PCs or thin clients across the Internet. Managers and other users
that can not learn anything but Windows are happy with the graphical
option. Data input people who despise having to move their hand from
keyboard to mouse, can connect using any of the text based methods.
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