| CLI interfaces have none of the inherent benefits you describe. * They are not inherently completely discovered * They do not inherently offer more control * They are not inherently more flexible In fact, I would argue on all points a GUI interface is inherently FAR superior to a CLI interface in each of these measures. GUIs clearly offer more control and clarity. Ever try to specify a partial list of US states via a CLI? HOWEVER: CLIs crush GUIs in my opinion on two CRITICAL dimensions CLI are scriptable and more importantly CLI work over SSH (a rather low threshold to cross) The ability to productively work in a terminal over SSH is (in my opinion) at the core of the resurgence in popularity of CLIs and other terminal based apps like vim and emacs as well. Yes, chording is productive and even well supported by most gui editors, yet these terminal editors remain super popular I believe in large part thanks to their ubiquity and ability to work over SSH. Just my two cents and is not an attempt to start a flame war. |