HTML Generator

[Joe Boyle]

MessageI think that users want the interface to look and feel just like Windows rather than quick; I remember one chap calling me to complain that he could'nt get Axiant to work the same way that VB did. Younger people now do the data entry and they are all used to the style of Windows. I found that they are always amused at how quick screens work, and were always phased by the function of the action field.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Deskin, Bob 
  To: powerh-l at lists.sowder.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 2:19 PM
  Subject: HTML Generator


  Now that we have put the E version to bed (it's in manufacturing but not quite available yet), we're busy planning the next release. We have lost of ideas of course, and I'm not specifically soliciting any more. What I would like to do is follow up on Ken's idea, which we share, of an HTML generator. We already know that QDESIGN can generate HTML. And it's not particularly difficult to add to that. I'm not trying to make it sound like it's a 5 minute job, but we already know how to do it. It's simply a case of designing the keyword and determining what HTML should be generated and where.

  But I don't think people want PowerHouse Web with it's panel-oriented stateless architecture that requires converting subscreen calls to linkscreens and some other way of handling reports and runs. My take is that people want is something that feels like QUICK (even down to the Action field is desired) but looks like a web page. And that it runs over a local network similar to a terminal emulator as opposed to the internet (although that might be a possibility). So the first question is - is that a correct assumption?

  If that is correct, then the next question is how do we do the execution end of things in a reasonable period of time with limited resources. Sure, it can be done. The browser engines are available as controls or applets and we could build the entire infrastructure, but we don't have a large team and 2 or more years. Rather we have 2 or 3 people and 6 months (no, that's not the whole team but we do have other things to do, and the 6 months is what I'm aiming for because I know these projects take longer).

  So does anyone have any ideas on how to put this sort of thing together? Are there web sites that describe it? Is it even reasonable considering that a browser is typically block oriented whereas QUICK is field oriented?

  Any thoughts? 

  Bob

  PS I removed the other portions of Ken's message because I won't get into pricing policy in a public forum. Ken's 3rd point is somewhat dependant on the success of the second. These days, you need to look good to be noticed. However, whatever we do must be in keeping with our existing architecture. QKView is a step in the right direction.
    -----Original Message-----
    From: powerh-l-bounces+bob.deskin=cognos.com at lists.sowder.com [mailto:powerh-l-bounces+bob.deskin=cognos.com at lists.sowder.com] On Behalf Of Ken Langendock
    Sent: June 5, 2007 6:29 PM
    To: powerh-l at lists.sowder.com
    Subject: FW: Is Powerhouse expanding in India


    << portions removed by Bob Deskin >>

     b) The most important thing would be something NEW
    Maybe Some kind of "controllable/", HTML code generator from the compiler, similar to how access statements get generated into cursor statements. If we are not happy with the way the automatic one works, we can create our own. If we could create copy modules that would generate the correct HTML syntax to make the, for example, screen headers work/look as they do in Quick, this would cut a lot of code down.
    Function key statements that create proper HTML code, etc.

    The list can go on and on, but the point is, we need a way of converting our existing quick screens into fancy/schmancy html screens automatically. I for one am not looking at converting 2000+ quick screens into HTML without some "automatic" help.

    Ken





----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    From: Joe Boyle [mailto:atla38 at dsl.pipex.com] 
    Sent: June 5, 2007 5:58 PM
    To: 'Ken Langendock'; powerh-l at lists.sowder.com
    Subject: RE: Is Powerhouse expanding in India


     I think PH is failing ( read dead) because PowerHouse is so expensive - especially training - all of the MS .net related software can be downloaded for free - I have MSSQLserver, C#, C++, VB and it did,nt cost me a penny. 

    When I tried to purchase PH software (for NT platforms only), Cognos wouldn't sell it me as an individual ( and that, after I worked on the Cognos support desk for 5 years) with 12 years of PH on VMS, MPE, Unix and Dos collectively.





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