I read Top Ten Reasons GUI Tops Green Screen recently and couldn’t help but forward it to a few colleagues.

The article prompted responses such as: “It’s crazy to hear people still arguing the benefits of a GUI over terminal apps—that should have been put to rest 20+ years ago. I know some people are old-fashioned and don’t want to change (the minority thankfully), but in reality, those people don’t matter when it comes to selling software, maybe just when maintaining old software. Sometimes you need to leave people in the dust, survival of the fittest.”  I find this response and others like it to be absolutely true.  But usually such statements and articles never quantify how GUI (or green screen) is an improvement or detriment.  So, I think another angle on the issue should be considered.

Insulation.  No, not Owens Corning fiberglass but business-application insulation and asset preservation!  Billions of dollars have been spent on business applications only to see them become antiquated and then re-written for millions of more dollars and on and on—all for the sake of keeping up with technology.  Reminder:  The original reason we started using computing and technology was to drive a competitive edge into the company’s financial bottom line.  So, what if the green screen vs GUI debate was viewed as preserving technological assets for more value and continuing to improve upon, evolve and build upon the assets you and your company have spent so much money on over the years?  After all, the goal was a competitive edge when those apps were developed.  So, the real issue then becomes return on investment, as always—keeping costs down by preserving and re-using assets.  But what about keeping up with technology?  What is the cost of moving forward with technology and innovation by re-writing or purchasing new packages to do what your current software is doing PLUS MORE with say a green screen or even GUI?  Or …?

Now, back to the original article to conclude some thoughts. Everything stated in the article is accurate and well thought out, including the conclusion, “what will replace GUI?”  Well, I have to say I don’t know!  Surprised, not really, I know.  However, seeing this question and combining it with the insulation concept can be very helpful.  Here’s how.

Let’s say software developers, programmers or whatever trendy name you want to use were working with technology assets that are extensible, enhanced and constantly kept current with technology.  Then existing assets could be preserved, enhanced and even integrated with other new technologies that one type of technological asset may not be able to handle, arguably (after all, this is software).  Using such technology would be WONDERFUL, FANTASTIC and best of all, COST-CONCIOUS!  Software engineers could then be up-to-date with technology and proving their worth and value.  Best of all, the assets they create and creatED could be re-factored, re-used and re-deployed with current technology (and/or methodologies) and would easily handle a new paradigm for “presentation.”  So here we are at full circle, back to the green screen vs. GUI, which is all about the presentation technology and productivity.  A product, technology or platform that would insulate us from such specific technology, in essence future-proofing our assets, is what we need.  Let’s stop the GUI vs green screen debate and concentrate on what’s really important: a product or platform that insulates us from technology while at the same time keeps us up with current technology and allows the use of new technology, continuously.

One final question: Does the vendor you are using for technology provide such a product or platform?  You should ask.

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