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gnue/www faq.html
|
From: |
Neil Tiffin |
|
Subject: |
gnue/www faq.html |
|
Date: |
Sun, 02 Dec 2001 19:26:26 -0500 |
CVSROOT: /home/cvs
Module name: gnue
Changes by: Neil Tiffin <address@hidden> 01/12/02 19:26:26
Modified files:
www : faq.html
Log message:
format for our poor folks forced to use emacs.
CVSWeb URLs:
http://savannah.gnu.org/cgi-bin/viewcvs/gnue/www/faq.html.diff?cvsroot=OldCVS&tr1=1.18&tr2=1.19&r1=text&r2=text
Patches:
Index: gnue/www/faq.html
diff -c gnue/www/faq.html:1.18 gnue/www/faq.html:1.19
*** gnue/www/faq.html:1.18 Sat Dec 1 07:17:19 2001
--- gnue/www/faq.html Sun Dec 2 19:26:26 2001
***************
*** 3,10 ****
<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1">
! <title>GNUe FAQ</title>
! <meta name="keywords" content="MRP, ERP, enterprise software, gnue,
gnu, free software, business technology, supply chain, inventory, object
technology, CORBA, SQL, relational database, FAQ">
<meta name="description" content="The GNUe Enterprise FAQ.">
</head>
<body bgcolor="#ffffff">
--- 3,12 ----
<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1">
! <title>GNU Enterprise GNUe FAQ</title>
! <meta name="keywords" content="MRP, ERP, enterprise software, gnue,
! gnu enterprise, free software, business technology, supply chain,
inventory,
! object technology, CORBA, SQL, relational database, FAQ, client
server">
<meta name="description" content="The GNUe Enterprise FAQ.">
</head>
<body bgcolor="#ffffff">
***************
*** 157,211 ****
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.1"></a><b>1.1 - What is GNUe?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe stands for GNU Enterprise. GNUe is both free software and a
modular architecture that provides automated support for most business
processes. This type of software is sometimes referred to as Enterprise
Software. Many proprietary commercial Enterprise Software applications exists
(i.e. from manufacturers like SAP, Manugistics, PeopleSoft, etc.) that provide
similar functionality.
</p>
<p>
! GNUe installation will typically provide integrated business software
for human resources, payroll, inventory, purchasing, accounting, finance,
planning, sales order entry, customer support, forecasting, and other business
processes.
<br>
<br>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.2"></a><b>1.2 - What makes GNUe different?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe is free software and built around open standards for the most
popular computer systems in the world. It is also designed from the ground up
as a modular international system and utilizes the latest in object technology.
Object technology means that parts of the overall system may be improved and
capabilities added without monolithic or system wide changes. International
design includes capability for multiple currencies, languages and international
support.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.3"></a><b>1.3 - How do I get help with GNUe?</b>
</p>
- <p>First read the documentation. It can be found at <a
href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/docs";>http://www.gnuenterprise.org/docs</a>.
Business object (accounting, supply-chain, etc.) documentation can be found at
<a
href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/~neilt/sc.html";>http://www.gnuenterprise.org/~neilt/sc.html</a>.
- </p>
-
- <p>
- Once you are familiar with the documentation you should review the mail list
archives which can be found at <a
href="http://lists.gnue.org/mailman/listinfo";>http://lists.gnue.org/mailman/listinfo</a>.
- </p>
-
<p>
! You may also ask you question on the IRC chat channel which can be found at
<a
href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=3";>http://www.gnuenterprise.org</a>.
</p>
-
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.4"></a><b>1.4 - How do I report suggestions, errors
or omission in this FAQ?</b>
</p>
<p>
! All suggestions, errors, omission or other comments regarding the GNUe
FAQ should be emailed to <a href="mailto:address@hidden";>address@hidden</a>.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.5"></a><b>1.5 - Who contributed to this FAQ?</b>
</p>
<p>
! This FAQ was originally written in November 2000 and is maintained by
Neil Tiffin.
! Contributors to this FAQ include, in no particular order, Derek
Neighbors, James Thompson, Andrew Murie, Alan Clifford, Reinhard Muller and
Andrew Hill.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.6"></a><b>1.6 - When was this FAQ last revised and
where can I find it.</b>.
</p>
<p>
! This FAQ is $Revision: 1.18 $ $Date: 2001/12/01 12:17:19 $. The most
recent version (automatically updated from CVS) can be found at <A
href="http://www.gnu.org/projects/gnue/faq.html";>http://www.gnu.org/projects/gnue/faq.html</A>.
Another version is located at <A
href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org";>http://www.gnuenterprise.org</A>
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.7"></a><b>1.7 - What is Enterprise Software?</b>
</p>
<p>
! Enterprise Software refers to a software system where most of the
software used to operate a business is integrated together and business
information is maintained in a way that reduces or eliminates duplication,
provides timely access by all parts of the organization, provides a high level
of accuracy, and requires minimal manual intervention.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.8"></a><b>1.8 - Why is GNUe being developed?</b>
--- 159,251 ----
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.1"></a><b>1.1 - What is GNUe?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe stands for GNU Enterprise. GNUe is both free software and a
! modular architecture that provides automated support for most business
! processes. This type of software is sometimes referred to as Enterprise
! Software. Many proprietary commercial Enterprise Software applications
! exists (i.e. from manufacturers like SAP, Manugistics, PeopleSoft,
! etc.) that provide similar functionality.
</p>
<p>
! GNUe installation will typically provide integrated business software
! for human resources, payroll, inventory, purchasing, accounting,
! finance, planning, sales order entry, customer support, forecasting,
! and other business processes.
! </p>
<br>
<br>
+ <p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.2"></a><b>1.2 - What makes GNUe different?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe is free software and built around open standards for the most
! popular computer systems in the world. It is also designed from the
! ground up as a modular international system and utilizes the latest in
! object technology. Object technology means that parts of the overall
! system may be improved and capabilities added without monolithic or
! system wide changes. International design includes capability for
! multiple currencies, languages and international support.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.3"></a><b>1.3 - How do I get help with GNUe?</b>
</p>
<p>
! First read the documentation. It can be found at <a
! href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/docs";>http://www.gnuenterprise.org/
! docs</a>. Business object (accounting, supply-chain, etc.)
! documentation can be found at <a
! href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/~neilt/sc.html";>http://www.
! gnuenterprise.org/~neilt/sc.html</a>.
! </p>
! <p>
! Once you are familiar with the documentation you should review the mail
! list archives which can be found at <a
! href="http://lists.gnue.org/mailman/listinfo";>http://lists.gnue.org/
! mailman/listinfo</a>.
! </p>
! <p>
! You may also ask you question on the IRC chat channel which can be
! found at <a
! href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=3";
! >http://www.gnuenterprise.org</a>.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.4"></a><b>1.4 - How do I report suggestions, errors
or omission in this FAQ?</b>
</p>
<p>
! All suggestions, errors, omission or other comments regarding the GNUe
! FAQ should be emailed to <a
! href="mailto:address@hidden";>address@hidden</a>.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.5"></a><b>1.5 - Who contributed to this FAQ?</b>
</p>
<p>
! This FAQ was originally written in November 2000 and is maintained by
! Neil Tiffin. Contributors to this FAQ include, in no particular order,
! Derek Neighbors, James Thompson, Andrew Murie, Alan Clifford, Reinhard
! Muller and Andrew Hill.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.6"></a><b>1.6 - When was this FAQ last revised and
where can I find it.</b>.
</p>
<p>
! This FAQ is $Revision: 1.19 $ $Date: 2001/12/03 00:26:26 $. The most
! recent version (automatically updated from CVS) can be found at <A
! href="http://www.gnu.org/projects/gnue/faq.html";>http://www.gnu.org/
! projects/gnue/faq.html</A>. Another version is located at <A
! href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org";>http://www.gnuenterprise.org</A>
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.7"></a><b>1.7 - What is Enterprise Software?</b>
</p>
<p>
! Enterprise Software refers to a software system where most of the
! software used to operate a business is integrated together and business
! information is maintained in a way that reduces or eliminates
! duplication, provides timely access by all parts of the organization,
! provides a high level of accuracy, and requires minimal manual
! intervention.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.8"></a><b>1.8 - Why is GNUe being developed?</b>
***************
*** 229,265 ****
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.9"></a><b>1.9 - How does GNUe compare to
Quickbooks, PeachTree or other shrink-wrapped accounting software?</b>
</p>
<p>
! It doesn't. GNUe is professional strength software designed for
multi-user operating systems with either a two or three tier client server
architecture. It is built to be scalable, upgrade able, and to support
organizations with over 2000 users. Of course, it will also support
organizations with just a few users and run on a single computer (with just a
little overkill). It can be run out of the box or completely customized by
developers. It is free.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.10"></a><b> 1.10 - What is Free Software?</b>
</p>
<p>
! The GNUe project fully supports the concept of free software. See <a
href="http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html";>http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html</a>.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.11"></a><b>1.11 - Why is GNUe GPL and what does
that mean?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe is released under the GPL license. For an example, please see the
GPL license at <a
href="http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html";>http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html</a>.
The actual license covering GNUe is included in all GNUe distributions.
</p>
<p>
! For a description of why GPL and why free software see <a
href="http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/why-free.html";>http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/why-free.html</a>.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.12"></a><b>1.12 - How do I help the GNUe effort?</b>
</p>
<p>
! Become familiar with the GNUe system then email <a
href="mailto:address@hidden";>address@hidden</a>. There is always something that
needs to be done. We need all types of talent. So please don't be bashful.
</p>
<p>
! To contribute to GNUe you will also have to sign a Free Software Foundation
copyright assignment. More information can be obtained by sending email with
your area of interest to <a href="mailto:address@hidden";>address@hidden</a>.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.13"></a><b>1.13 - What standard technologies or
standards are used in GNUe?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe potentially makes use of SGML, HTML, XML, XML-EDI, CORBA, SQL, and
several GNU technologies. No doubt some I missed.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.14"></a><b>1.14 - What is the history of GNUe?</b>
--- 269,326 ----
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.9"></a><b>1.9 - How does GNUe compare to
Quickbooks, PeachTree or other shrink-wrapped accounting software?</b>
</p>
<p>
! It doesn't. GNUe is professional strength software designed for
! multi-user operating systems with either a two or three tier client
! server architecture. It is built to be scalable, upgrade able, and to
! support organizations with over 2000 users. Of course, it will also
! support organizations with just a few users and run on a single
! computer (with just a little overkill). It can be run out of the box or
! completely customized by developers. It is free.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.10"></a><b> 1.10 - What is Free Software?</b>
</p>
<p>
! The GNUe project fully supports the concept of free software. See <a
! href="http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html";>http://www.gnu.org/
! philosophy/free-sw.html</a>.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.11"></a><b>1.11 - Why is GNUe GPL and what does
that mean?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe is released under the GPL license. For an example, please see the
! GPL license at <a
! href="http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html";>http://www.gnu.org/copyleft
! /gpl.html</a>. The actual license covering GNUe is included in all GNUe
! distributions.
</p>
<p>
! For a description of why GPL and why free software see <a
! href="http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/why-free.html";>http://www.gnu.org/
! philosophy/why-free.html</a>.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.12"></a><b>1.12 - How do I help the GNUe effort?</b>
</p>
<p>
! Become familiar with the GNUe system then email <a
! href="mailto:address@hidden";>address@hidden</a>. There is always
! something that needs to be done. We need all types of talent. So please
! don't be bashful.
</p>
<p>
! To contribute to GNUe you will also have to sign a Free Software
! Foundation copyright assignment. More information can be obtained by
! sending email with your area of interest to <a
! href="mailto:address@hidden";>address@hidden</a>.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.13"></a><b>1.13 - What standard technologies or
standards are used in GNUe?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe potentially makes use of SGML, HTML, XML, XML-EDI, CORBA, SQL, and
! several GNU technologies. No doubt some I missed.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.14"></a><b>1.14 - What is the history of GNUe?</b>
***************
*** 324,330 ****
Industry Specific Templates - Easy specialization for specific
industry needs. </li>
</ul>
<p>
! For a more complete description please see the document "GNU
Enterprise - Developers Introduction" at <a
href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org";>http://www.gnuenterprise.org</a>
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.16"></a><b> 1.16 - What is the current status of
GNUe?</b>
--- 385,393 ----
Industry Specific Templates - Easy specialization for specific
industry needs. </li>
</ul>
<p>
! For a more complete description please see the document "GNU
! Enterprise - Developers Introduction" at <a
! href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org";>http://www.gnuenterprise.org</a>
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-1.16"></a><b> 1.16 - What is the current status of
GNUe?</b>
***************
*** 391,400 ****
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.1"></a><b>2.1 - What is the GNUe architecture
(short version)?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe is an n-tier client server enterprise system. The user interface
is provided by GNUe Forms client. The GNUe Forms client talks directly to the
GEAS (enterprise application server) using CORBA technology. GEAS currenty
connects to SQL92 relational databases using API calls. GEAS also manages the
business objects which consist of data and business rules.
</p>
<p>
! The backend use of a standard SQL92 relational database provides
standard interfaces for external systems and leverages current IT practices and
staff. This was an important consideration for simplifying the migration to
GNUe and the integration of GNUe with other systems (<a
href="#GNUe-FAQ-2.16">see 2.16</a>). For 2-tier backend support includes DB2,
Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. For n-tier support only MySQL and PostgreSQL
are supported at this time.
</p>
<p>
The current GNUe software components are:
--- 454,474 ----
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.1"></a><b>2.1 - What is the GNUe architecture
(short version)?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe is an n-tier client server enterprise system. The user interface
! is provided by GNUe Forms client. The GNUe Forms client talks directly
! to the GEAS (enterprise application server) using CORBA technology.
! GEAS currenty connects to SQL92 relational databases using API calls.
! GEAS also manages the business objects which consist of data and
! business rules.
</p>
<p>
! The backend use of a standard SQL92 relational database provides
! standard interfaces for external systems and leverages current IT
! practices and staff. This was an important consideration for
! simplifying the migration to GNUe and the integration of GNUe with
! other systems (<a href="#GNUe-FAQ-2.16">see 2.16</a>). For 2-tier
! backend support includes DB2, Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. For
! n-tier support only MySQL and PostgreSQL are supported at this time.
</p>
<p>
The current GNUe software components are:
***************
*** 408,417 ****
<li>EWOK - GNUe Enterprise Wide Office Kommunications </li>
</ul>
<p>
! Internally, GNUe n-tier is object based. The objects contain data and
business rules with data stored in an SQL database. The business objects are
accessed using CORBA and we use Python-orbit for binding Python to our current
ORB ORBit. Therefore the business rules are written in Python. Since other
bindings exist, a developer is not necessarily limited to Python.
</p>
<p>
! A small system will typically have the following process running (<a
href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/~neilt/GNUeSimpleSystem.png";>see
diagram</a>):
</p>
<ul>
<li>
--- 482,498 ----
<li>EWOK - GNUe Enterprise Wide Office Kommunications </li>
</ul>
<p>
! Internally, GNUe n-tier is object based. The objects contain data and
! business rules with data stored in an SQL database. The business
! objects are accessed using CORBA and we use Python-orbit for binding
! Python to our current ORB ORBit. Therefore the business rules are
! written in Python. Since other bindings exist, a developer is not
! necessarily limited to Python.
</p>
<p>
! A small system will typically have the following process running (<a
! href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/~neilt/GNUeSimpleSystem.png";>see
! diagram</a>):
</p>
<ul>
<li>
***************
*** 426,432 ****
A report server (GNUe Reports) for each user generated reports
</li>
</ul>
<p>
! A large system may have multiple SQL, GEAS, CORBA name and Report
servers all running on different machines.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.2"></a><b>2.2 - What is GNUe-Forms and
GNUe-Designer?</b>
--- 507,514 ----
A report server (GNUe Reports) for each user generated reports
</li>
</ul>
<p>
! A large system may have multiple SQL, GEAS, CORBA name and Report
! servers all running on different machines.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.2"></a><b>2.2 - What is GNUe-Forms and
GNUe-Designer?</b>
***************
*** 462,492 ****
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.4"></a><b>2.4 - What is GNUe Application Server
(GEAS)?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GEAS is a data abstraction layer and allows GNUe to utilize single API
to all data sources (local and remote). So the client has one set of calls it
uses, but can access different vendors SQL databases or even CVS or XML files.
Similar to Borland's Database Engine or other data abstraction tiers. GEAS is
transparent to the user. It will run with multiple instances and do load
balancing. GEAS is required for n-tier operation.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.5"></a><b>2.5 - What is GNUe Reports (GNUeR)?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe Reports shares many features with GNUe Forms. It is comprised of a
report designer and a client that generates the requested output. Report
definition files are also XML based. And programs can communicate directly with
the XML reports definition language much like they can with GNUe Forms. The
major difference is that GNUe Reports is optimized to handle large amounts of
data and run separately from the GNUe Forms Client.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.6"></a><b>2.6 - What is GNUe Enterprise Wide Office
Kommunication (EWOK)?</b>
</p>
<p>
! Integration of non-transaction based ad-hoc communications utilizing
fax, email and paging other non-network communications with GNUe. Transaction
based external communications (EDI and XML-EDI) will utilize the <a
href="#GNUe-FAQ-2.7">Data Transformation</a> Tool. To use EWOK the user would
typically hit the EWOK button in the Forms client and a pop-up window would
appear with destination and information selection options. This may be
replaced with Bayonne. This change is in process, see the news section for
more information.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.7"></a><b>2.7 - What database does GNUe require?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe n-tier (GEAS) currently works with MySQL and PostgreSQL relational
databases. (See <a
href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org";>http://www.gnuenterprise.org</a>). GNUe
2-tier does the same and also works with Oracle and DB2. The internal
structure of GNUe GEAS is object based but stores information in a standard
SQL92 relational database. It is anticipated that GNUe will interface to any
SQL92 (odbc, oracle, sybase, interbase, etc) standard relational database. The
API design does not limit the storage to RDMS.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.8"></a><b>2.8 - What is Data Transformation
Tool?</b>
</p>
<p>
! This tool will handle all incoming and outgoing data transformation
requirements including EDI, XML-EDI, spreadsheet import/export and others.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.9"></a><b>2.9 - What is Workflow Engine?</b>
--- 544,603 ----
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.4"></a><b>2.4 - What is GNUe Application Server
(GEAS)?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GEAS is a data abstraction layer and allows GNUe to utilize single API
! to all data sources (local and remote). So the client has one set of
! calls it uses, but can access different vendors SQL databases or even
! CVS or XML files. Similar to Borland's Database Engine or other data
! abstraction tiers. GEAS is transparent to the user. It will run with
! multiple instances and do load balancing. GEAS is required for n-tier
! operation.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.5"></a><b>2.5 - What is GNUe Reports (GNUeR)?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe Reports shares many features with GNUe Forms. It is comprised of a
! report designer and a client that generates the requested output.
! Report definition files are also XML based. And programs can
! communicate directly with the XML reports definition language much like
! they can with GNUe Forms. The major difference is that GNUe Reports is
! optimized to handle large amounts of data and run separately from the
! GNUe Forms Client.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.6"></a><b>2.6 - What is GNUe Enterprise Wide Office
Kommunication (EWOK)?</b>
</p>
<p>
! Integration of non-transaction based ad-hoc communications utilizing
! fax, email and paging other non-network communications with GNUe.
! Transaction based external communications (EDI and XML-EDI) will
! utilize the <a href="#GNUe-FAQ-2.7">Data Transformation</a> Tool. To
! use EWOK the user would typically hit the EWOK button in the Forms
! client and a pop-up window would appear with destination and
! information selection options. This may be replaced with Bayonne.
! This change is in process, see the news section for more information.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.7"></a><b>2.7 - What database does GNUe require?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe n-tier (GEAS) currently works with MySQL and PostgreSQL relational
! databases. (See <a
! href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org";>http://www.gnuenterprise.org</a>).
! GNUe 2-tier does the same and also works with Oracle and DB2. The
! internal structure of GNUe GEAS is object based but stores information
! in a standard SQL92 relational database. It is anticipated that GNUe
! will interface to any SQL92 (odbc, oracle, sybase, interbase, etc)
! standard relational database. The API design does not limit the
! storage to RDMS.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.8"></a><b>2.8 - What is Data Transformation
Tool?</b>
</p>
<p>
! This tool will handle all incoming and outgoing data transformation
! requirements including EDI, XML-EDI, spreadsheet import/export and
! others.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.9"></a><b>2.9 - What is Workflow Engine?</b>
***************
*** 504,570 ****
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.11"></a><b>2.11 - What GUIs work with GNUe?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe currently supports (some are tested more than others) win32, gtk,
motif, curses and mac GUI. A Java client is being authored as well and a web
client is anticipated in the very near future.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.12"></a><b>2.12 - What about Mozilla, Java, XUL or
some other technology</b>
</p>
<p>
! If you want Java, LinuxKontor is probably a better choice for you.
Because of its popularity, some of the GNUe team is working on a Java client
(although it is not a priority). We do know that Java works with GEAS. However,
Java is NOT the preferred language as it has issues with its ownership. Because
this is a free software project we will provide all functionality using free
software.
</p>
<p>
- Tonight I was reading over some of the documentation on GNUe. It occurred to
me that Mozilla and XUL might make a great front end UI to this system. Instead
of creating multiple GUI front ends for the different environments you wish to
support, you could make one XUL front end that could run on every platform that
Mozilla can run on (and there are a lot). Is there some reason you've chosen
not to do this?
- </p>
- <p>
- This has been talked about in infinite detail, but the summary is that
browsers don't make good front ends for Enterprise systems. If we used Java it
gets a little better, but Java is not free software. We are using Python as
the core development language.
- </p>
- <p>
Specifically there were a few key issues.
</p>
<ol type="a">
! <li>Mozilla is a bit 'heavy' for a client. (Now I realize we could
have just reused the rendering engine (gecko) and wrapped it, but thats pretty
significant work in and of itself.</li>
! <li>The concept of data aware widgets doesn't exist to the mozilla team
unless of course you are willing to do all data in RDF/RSS format. Our
enterprises of course dont store data in this format. :) I have recently
restarted XUL conversations on this and think it would be do able. However,
once again there is an issue that it would be a lot of work.</li>
! <li>At the time we started GNUe over 2 years ago, XUL was severely
infantile and mozilla still was not 'widely' adopted. This was around M10
releases. If you doubt we didn't make serious efforts search for my name
(derek) or my sig at that time XULFool and you will see us active in many irc
sessions, mailing lists etc. For sometime I had wanted to use XUL.</li>
! <li>At the time .... Mozilla was under MPL only which made it iffy at
best for us to use as a GNU project.</li>
</ol>
<p>
! BTW: For a designer as well people often ask "Why not glade." I suppose we
should add why not Glade and why not xul to our FAQ as I think they are valid
questions and ones I would ask if I was new to GNUe.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.13"></a><b>2.13 - What about Windows or
Macintosh?</b>
</p>
<p>
! Windows is not available yet, but it is anticipated. GEAS server works
on mac OS X. wxMac, wxGTK, and wxPython still need more development to work
effectively on OS X so the GUI does not work yet.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.14"></a><b>2.14 - What about network traffic,
bandwith and thin client?</b>
</p>
<p>
! All network flow is all by ORBit. We would expect same type of traffic
as a MIDAS client or DCOM client on windows. We are middle ground bandwidth
wise and thin client wise. GNUe doesn't use bandwidth whenever you move the
mouse etc. The forms code is an XML form that is interpreted by the client. Its
only when you do an event relating to the backend that it sends traffic (i.e.
event driven). The only possible issue, we anticipate, would be latency with
internet deployment with using thin clients talking to GEAS on other side of
the world.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.15"></a><b>2.15 - How do I create a simple form and
where is it stored and run from?</b>
</p>
<p>
! The form is an XML file. You can create it with any editor. Then you
can run it remotely by typing "gfclient
http://myserver.com/some_form.gfd" or locally by typing "gfclient
/path/to/file/some_form.gfd". The next phase of the project will include a
graphical form designer that will be like visual basic, Delphi or glade.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.16"></a><b>2.16 - How will external systems
interface to GNUe?</b>
</p>
- <p>
- External systems may interface with GNUe in two ways. The simple and
more standard way is to connect directly with the SQL backend relational
database. The downside to this method is that it will bypass all business logic
built into GNUe business objects. So some business logic will be duplicated in
the external systems. Also database tables are considered very changeable for
upgrades and extensions, therefore external systems using this method will
require more maintenance than those using the GNUe API method.
- </p>
<p>
! The other way for external systems to interface with GNUe is to connect
directly to the GEAS (server) using the GNUe API. This method is not as
standard but will provide better data integrity as all data will be subject to
the business rules defined in GNUe business objects. It will also be less prone
to changes as we expect the GNUe API to change less than the SQL tables will
change.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.17"></a><b>2.17 - What is a Business Object?</b>
</p>
<p>
! A Business Object is an encapsulated unit of information and methods
that relate to the business. For example a customer is a Business Object. Also
a purchase order, a line item on a purchase order and a receipt against a line
item on a purchase order are all Business Objects related to each other.
Business objects are defined by the developer in .gcd files. The .gcd file may
also define methods and triggers for the Business Objects.
</p>
<p>
An example Business Object without methods:
--- 615,749 ----
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.11"></a><b>2.11 - What GUIs work with GNUe?</b>
</p>
<p>
! GNUe currently supports (some are tested more than others) win32, gtk,
! motif, curses and mac GUI. A Java client is being authored as well and
! a web client is anticipated in the very near future.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.12"></a><b>2.12 - What about Mozilla, Java, XUL or
some other technology</b>
</p>
<p>
! If you want Java, LinuxKontor is probably a better choice for you.
! Because of its popularity, some of the GNUe team is working on a Java
! client (although it is not a priority). We do know that Java works with
! GEAS. However, Java is NOT the preferred language as it has issues with
! its ownership. Because this is a free software project we will provide
! all functionality using free software.
! </p>
! <p>
! Tonight Derek was reading over some of the documentation on GNUe. It
! occurred to me that Mozilla and XUL might make a great front end UI to
! this system. Instead of creating multiple GUI front ends for the
! different environments you wish to support, you could make one XUL
! front end that could run on every platform that Mozilla can run on (and
! there are a lot). Is there some reason you've chosen not to do this?
! </p>
! <p>
! This has been talked about in infinite detail, but the summary is that
! browsers don't make good front ends for Enterprise systems. If we used
! Java it gets a little better, but Java is not free software. We are
! using Python as the core development language.
</p>
<p>
Specifically there were a few key issues.
</p>
<ol type="a">
! <li>
! Mozilla is a bit 'heavy' for a client. (Now I realize we could have
! just reused the rendering engine (gecko) and wrapped it, but thats
! pretty significant work in and of itself.</li>
! <li>
! The concept of data aware widgets doesn't exist to the mozilla team
! unless of course you are willing to do all data in RDF/RSS format. Our
! enterprises of course dont store data in this format. :) I have
! recently restarted XUL conversations on this and think it would be do
! able. However, once again there is an issue that it would be a lot of
! work.</li>
! <li>
! At the time we started GNUe over 2 years ago, XUL was severely
! infantile and mozilla still was not 'widely' adopted. This was around
! M10 releases. If you doubt we didn't make serious efforts search for
! my name (derek) or my sig at that time XULFool and you will see us
! active in many irc sessions, mailing lists etc. For sometime I had
! wanted to use XUL.</li>
! <li>
! At the time .... Mozilla was under MPL only which made it iffy at best
! for us to use as a GNU project.</li>
</ol>
<p>
! BTW for a designer as well people often ask "Why not glade." I
! suppose we should add why not Glade and why not xul to our FAQ as I
! think they are valid questions and ones I would ask if I was new to
! GNUe. TODO
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.13"></a><b>2.13 - What about Windows or
Macintosh?</b>
</p>
<p>
! Windows is not available yet, but it is anticipated. GEAS server works
! native on Mac OS X. wxMac, wxGTK, and wxPython still need more development to
! work effectively on OS X so the GUI does not work yet.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.14"></a><b>2.14 - What about network traffic,
bandwith and thin client?</b>
</p>
<p>
! All network flow is all by ORBit. We would expect same type of traffic
! as a MIDAS client or DCOM client on windows. We are middle ground
! bandwidth wise and thin client wise. GNUe doesn't use bandwidth
! whenever you move the mouse etc. The forms code is an XML form that is
! interpreted by the client. Its only when you do an event relating to
! the backend that it sends traffic (i.e. event driven). The only
! possible issue, we anticipate, would be latency with internet
! deployment with using thin clients talking to GEAS on other side of the
! world.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.15"></a><b>2.15 - How do I create a simple form and
where is it stored and run from?</b>
</p>
<p>
! The form is an XML file. You can create it with any editor. Then you
! can run it remotely by typing "gfclient
! http://myserver.com/some_form.gfd" or locally by typing
! "gfclient /path/to/file/some_form.gfd". The next phase of the
! project will include a graphical form designer that will be like visual
! basic, Delphi or glade.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.16"></a><b>2.16 - How will external systems
interface to GNUe?</b>
</p>
<p>
! External systems may interface with GNUe in two ways. The simple and
! more standard way is to connect directly with the SQL backend
! relational database. The downside to this method is that it will bypass
! all business logic built into GNUe business objects. So some business
! logic will be duplicated in the external systems. Also database tables
! are considered very changeable for upgrades and extensions, therefore
! external systems using this method will require more maintenance than
! those using the GNUe API method.
! </p>
! <p>
! The other way for external systems to interface with GNUe is to connect
! directly to the GEAS (server) using the GNUe API. This method is not as
! standard but will provide better data integrity as all data will be
! subject to the business rules defined in GNUe business objects. It will
! also be less prone to changes as we expect the GNUe API to change less
! than the SQL tables will change.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-2.17"></a><b>2.17 - What is a Business Object?</b>
</p>
<p>
! A Business Object is an encapsulated unit of information and methods
! that relate to the business. For example a customer is a Business
! Object. Also a purchase order, a line item on a purchase order and a
! receipt against a line item on a purchase order are all Business
! Objects related to each other. Business objects are defined by the
! developer in .gcd files. The .gcd file may also define methods and
! triggers for the Business Objects.
</p>
<p>
An example Business Object without methods:
***************
*** 604,610 ****
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-3.1"></a><b>3.1 - What hardware is required to run
GNUe?</b>
</p>
<p>
! Currently, the GNUe system is designed to run primarily on Unix/Linux
systems (including Solaris). A Windows port is in progress. The clients can
reside on most systems including Windows, Macintosh, and any system running
Motif, X or curses.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-3.2"></a><b> 3.2 - What software is required to run
GNUe?</b>
--- 783,792 ----
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-3.1"></a><b>3.1 - What hardware is required to run
GNUe?</b>
</p>
<p>
! Currently, the GNUe system is designed to run primarily on Unix/Linux
! systems (including Solaris). A Windows port is in progress. The clients
! can reside on most systems including Windows, Macintosh, and any system
! running Motif, X or curses.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-3.2"></a><b> 3.2 - What software is required to run
GNUe?</b>
***************
*** 649,655 ****
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-3.3"></a><b> 3.3 - Where do I get GNUe?</b>
</p>
<p>
! The GNUe test systems are Solaris, Red Hat and Debian Linux
distributions. Rpms are available for Red Hat Linux, Debian Linux and general
source distributions at <a
href="http://http://www.gnuenterprise.org/download.php";>http://www.gnuenterprise.org/download.php</a>.
Plus anonymous CVS access is available at <a
href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=2";>http://www.gnuenterprise.org/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=2</a>.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-3.4"></a><b> 3.4 - How do I build GNUe?</b>
--- 831,844 ----
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-3.3"></a><b> 3.3 - Where do I get GNUe?</b>
</p>
<p>
! The GNUe test systems are Solaris, Red Hat and Debian Linux
! distributions. Rpms are available for Red Hat Linux, Debian Linux and
! general source distributions at <a
! href="http://http://www.gnuenterprise.org/download.php";>http://www.
! gnuenterprise.org/download.php</a>. Plus anonymous CVS access is
! available at <a
! href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=2";
! >http://www.gnuenterprise.org/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=2</a>.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-3.4"></a><b> 3.4 - How do I build GNUe?</b>
***************
*** 702,720 ****
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.4"></a><b>4.4 - What is a GNUe Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>A GNUe Package is an arbitrary collection of modules that provides focused
functionality.
! Because modules may be combined independently, packages provide a convienent
but not rigid grouping.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.5"></a><b>4.5 - What is the GNUe Accounting
Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>Because finance and accounting are the backbone of every business, the
GNUe Accounting Package
! is the heart of GNU Enterprise. With it, you can manage your finances, pay
! your bills, invoice your customers, allocate budgets, manage your assets and
! analyze your costs.
</p>
! <p>More information may be found at <a
href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/~neilt/gnue-config/accounting/package-doc/Accounting/accountingpkg.html";>
! Accounting Proposal</a> and <a
href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=NS-My_eGallery&file=index&do=showpic&pid=28";>Package
Overview Drawing</a>
</p>
<p>
The GNUe acocunting package is currently in the proposal stage.
--- 891,917 ----
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.4"></a><b>4.4 - What is a GNUe Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>
! A GNUe Package is an arbitrary collection of modules that provides
! focused functionality. Because modules may be combined independently,
! packages provide a convienent but not rigid grouping.
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.5"></a><b>4.5 - What is the GNUe Accounting
Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>
! Because finance and accounting are the backbone of every business, the
! GNUe Accounting Package is the heart of GNU Enterprise. With it, you
! can manage your finances, pay your bills, invoice your customers,
! allocate budgets, manage your assets and analyze your costs.
</p>
! <p>
! More information may be found at <a
! href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/~neilt/gnue-config/accounting/
! package-doc/Accounting/accountingpkg.html"> Accounting Proposal</a> and
! <a
! href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=NS-
! My_eGallery&file=index&do=showpic&pid=28">Package Overview Drawing</a>
</p>
<p>
The GNUe acocunting package is currently in the proposal stage.
***************
*** 725,731 ****
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.7"></a><b>4.7 - What is the GNUe Customer Relations
Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>Customer Relationship Management (CRM) allows your sales, marketing and
customer support groups to work together to improve customer (and prospect)
satisfaction. GNU Enterprise CRM provides campaign management, literature
fulfillment, lead management, sales analysis and call center.
--- 922,929 ----
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.7"></a><b>4.7 - What is the GNUe Customer Relations
Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>
! Customer Relationship Management (CRM) allows your sales, marketing and
customer support groups to work together to improve customer (and prospect)
satisfaction. GNU Enterprise CRM provides campaign management, literature
fulfillment, lead management, sales analysis and call center.
***************
*** 736,742 ****
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.9"></a><b>4.9 - What is the GNUe Human Resources
Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>Human Resources manages your most valuable asset, your people. With GNU
Enterprise Human Resources, you can pay staff, ensure equitable
compensation, manage training, administer benefits and comply with the
myriad of government regulatory programs.
--- 934,941 ----
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.9"></a><b>4.9 - What is the GNUe Human Resources
Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>
! Human Resources manages your most valuable asset, your people. With GNU
Enterprise Human Resources, you can pay staff, ensure equitable
compensation, manage training, administer benefits and comply with the
myriad of government regulatory programs.
***************
*** 744,750 ****
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.10"></a><b>4.10 - What is the GNUe Project
Management Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>Project Management gives you the control you need to make money from your
estimates and bids. With GNU Enterprise Project, you can create estimates,
define projects, set up budgets, monitor progress and send invoices to your
customers.
--- 943,950 ----
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.10"></a><b>4.10 - What is the GNUe Project
Management Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>
! Project Management gives you the control you need to make money from your
estimates and bids. With GNU Enterprise Project, you can create estimates,
define projects, set up budgets, monitor progress and send invoices to your
customers.
***************
*** 755,761 ****
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.12"></a><b>4.12 - What is the GNUe Supply Chain
Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>Supply Chain Management (SCM) optimizes the flow of information and
materials from your customer’s initial order through to delivery to
their
front door. This process requires the coordinated efforts of your suppliers
plus workers in Order Entry, Inventory, Manufacturing, Shipping, Purchasing
--- 955,962 ----
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.12"></a><b>4.12 - What is the GNUe Supply Chain
Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>
! Supply Chain Management (SCM) optimizes the flow of information and
materials from your customer’s initial order through to delivery to
their
front door. This process requires the coordinated efforts of your suppliers
plus workers in Order Entry, Inventory, Manufacturing, Shipping, Purchasing
***************
*** 763,775 ****
competitiveness depends directly of how well you optimize your SCM business
process. With GNU Enterprise SCM, you will have a good head start.
</p>
! <p>For more information regarding the Supply Chain Package see <a
href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/~neilt/sc.html";>
http://www.gnuenterprise.org/~neilt/sc.html</a>
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.13"></a><b>4.13 - What is the GNUe Manufacturing
Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>Manufacturing forms a key part of the Supply Chain Management process. GNU
Enterprise Manufacturing supports different styles of manufacturing -
engineer-to-order, process, and project. It includes Master Production
Scheduling, Bill of Materials, Material Requirements Planning, Capacity
--- 964,978 ----
competitiveness depends directly of how well you optimize your SCM business
process. With GNU Enterprise SCM, you will have a good head start.
</p>
! <p>
! For more information regarding the Supply Chain Package see <a
href="http://www.gnuenterprise.org/~neilt/sc.html";>
http://www.gnuenterprise.org/~neilt/sc.html</a>
</p>
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.13"></a><b>4.13 - What is the GNUe Manufacturing
Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>
! Manufacturing forms a key part of the Supply Chain Management process. GNU
Enterprise Manufacturing supports different styles of manufacturing -
engineer-to-order, process, and project. It includes Master Production
Scheduling, Bill of Materials, Material Requirements Planning, Capacity
***************
*** 778,784 ****
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.14"></a><b>4.14 - What is the GNUe Sales
Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>Sales is a critical package within your organization. When the customer
signs the order, it triggers the entire Supply Chain Management process.
Through analysis of sales data, Customer Relationship Management tries to
understand customer needs. GNU Enterprise Sales allows you to monitor the
--- 981,988 ----
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.14"></a><b>4.14 - What is the GNUe Sales
Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>
! Sales is a critical package within your organization. When the customer
signs the order, it triggers the entire Supply Chain Management process.
Through analysis of sales data, Customer Relationship Management tries to
understand customer needs. GNU Enterprise Sales allows you to monitor the
***************
*** 789,795 ****
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.15"></a><b>4.15 - What is the GNUe Business
Intelligence Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>Business Intelligence (BI) allows management to monitor key metrics in your
organization, spot trouble (or opportunities) and drill down through other
applications for more information. Then they can use BI’s analytical
tools
to visually monitor progress.
--- 993,1000 ----
<p>
<a name="GNUe-FAQ-4.15"></a><b>4.15 - What is the GNUe Business
Intelligence Package?</b>
</p>
! <p>
! Business Intelligence (BI) allows management to monitor key metrics in your
organization, spot trouble (or opportunities) and drill down through other
applications for more information. Then they can use BI’s analytical
tools
to visually monitor progress.