langz@asylum.SF.CA.US (Lang Zerner) (10/05/89)
In article <17939@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU> navas@cory.Berkeley.EDU.UUCP (David C. Navas) writes: >In article <1989Oct3.152529.17423@rpi.edu> kudla@pawl.rpi.edu (Robert J. Kudla) writes: >> >>In <KIM.89Oct3020058@watsup.waterloo.edu> kim@watsup.waterloo.edu (T. Kim Nguyen) writes: >> >>Nguyen> Nguyen> When did you last see a graphics/mouse-based >>Nguyen> interface for a Unix Nguyen> workstation? >>A SUN 3/50 running Xwindows. Other machines in the lab were running >>NeWS and the Sun proprietary environment. >Woah, hang on there. I think we're referring to two different and distinct >types of 'user-interface.' >When the question is asked -- 'When did you last see a [GUI] for Unix', >the question should have been posed as 'When did you last see a [GUI]Bench for >Unix'. That is, X-Windows IS a GUI, but it has nothng to do (or at least very >little to do) with disk access. All of that garbage is still type-and- >backspace...:-) 'Tis Unfortunate. > >Unless X has something that Berkeley hasn't put on the Suns... The OpenWindows interface for the Sun X/NeWS server includes fairly direct `drag-and-drop' file access and manipulation. An application called filemgr gives you the icon-based file browser (you can also get a one-file-per-line listing, just like w/ the Mac or NeXT). You can drag icons out of the file manager window and put them onto the root window/desktop. You can even -- get this -- drag a text file icon onto a window (or ionified window) awaiting text input to simulate typing the contents of the file into that window. Then there is the `usual' cut, copy and paste from window to window -- you can use a cut buffer or visually drag your selection from one window to another. I have to admit that while I was working at Projet Athena, I thought the NeWS server was an unwieldly hack (yes, even compared to MIT X), but now that I've had a chance to play with OpenWindows on NeWS, I have to change my tune. This has little to do with voice mail or the Amiga. Followups directed to comp.windows.news. -- Be seeing you... --Lang Zerner langz@asylum.sf.ca.us UUCP:bionet!asylum!langz ARPA:langz@athena.mit.edu "...and every morning we had to go and LICK the road clean with our TONGUES!"