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The reason I use a command line is specifically because it's not tricked out. That's valid, but the reason I use one is that it lets me get certain tasks done
by bonaldi 17y ago
The reason I use a command line is specifically because it's not tricked out.
That's valid, but the reason I use one is that it lets me get certain tasks done much faster than I can get them done with the gui. I don't think we've reached the pinnacle of the form, though -- I'd much rather we could expand the areas where it's the fastest way to get the job done.
One weakness with the standard unix cli is in discoverability. The MPW environment for the original Mac had a great system for this -- option-enter on any command would bring up a gui with that allowed you to build up the options and flags. It was the perfect mix of GUI: invisible when you didn't need it, but vastly easier for the first use of an unfamiliar command.
That said, I think the people who think like you are in the majority of CLI users, so innovations like these will struggle to get traction. Sucks to be me :)
- branden 17y agoI agree - the CLI's biggest weakness is discoverability, and the feature you describe is nice way to address it. And it's the right way to add a frill - there if you need it, invisible if you don't. Bespin's interface, on the other hand, is just obnoxious. It's great eye candy, but there's so much visual noise and wasted space that I could easily see it affecting productivity. I'll call it eye diabetes.
- discojesus 17y agoeyeabetes? Or as Wilford Brimley might say, "eyeabeetus."
- plesn 17y agoI agree that the main weakness of the unix cli is in discoverability. This would require at least a limited standard interface (for declaring options and help) but it would not be enought for specific usages. So the overkill solution is real introspection abilities (from what I understood MS did this thanks to .net in its cli), but you loose simplicity and text everywhere.
- gaius 17y agoEvery AIX admin has used SMIT in a similar way (tho' it is curses rather than a full GUI).
- growt 17y ago"that's valid, but the reason I use one is that it lets me get certain tasks done much faster than I can get them done with the gui." May I introduce you to goosh.org for web-search?