To awk is human, to GUI divine ...?

[Nick Reddingius]

Glenn C. Kroeger writes (in part):

> If GRASS and OpenGIS are going to prosper they must accomodate the way
> that new users use computers! ....  More importantly, managers want
> to use data this way, and they sure as hell aren't going to screw
> around with awk.....  If you want to know what people want, look at
> what they spend money on.

Is THAT ever right on!


> The problem with FREE (as opposed to OPEN) software is that
> it lacks this form of directed input.
> 
> .... But that means we have to address ease of use issues. The
> attitude "let them use awk" is exactly what GRASS doesn't need.

That is the point all commercial vendors make, and Glenn is right.
GRASS may be the greatest system, but it will be a footnote in GIS-
land if it doesn't keep up in both technical features and ease of
use.

Nick Reddingius