getenv - unix - fp 5.0.13

[John Esak]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: filepro-list-bounces at lists.celestial.com
> [mailto:filepro-list-bounces at lists.celestial.com]On Behalf Of Bob
> Stockler
> Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 10:04 PM
> To: FilePro Mailing List
> Subject: Re: getenv - unix - fp 5.0.13
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 10, 2004 at 04:56:17PM -0800, Enrique Arredondo wrote:
> |
> | Thanks so much, I finally hit the nail! your script works great! I just
> | added " | head -1" so that it just brings the most recent status.
>
> You're quite welcome.
>
> The USER command is not one that is entirely intuitive,
> but, after you get the hang of it, is a very useful tool.
>
> Users of the KornShell can play with 2-way pipes to see
> how the USER command works (search for "two-way" in the
> ksh man pages).
>
> Bob
>
> --
> Bob Stockler - bob at trebor.iglou.com
> Author: MENU EDIT II - The BEST Creator/Editor/Manager for
> filePro User Menus.
> Fully functional (time-limited) demos available by email request
> (specify OS).
> _______________________________________________
> Filepro-list mailing list
> Filepro-list at lists.celestial.com
> http://mailman.celestial.com/mailman/listinfo/filepro-list



I have not read any other message on this thread but this one... just
decided to take a peek before I deleted them all...

<negativity_on>
I'm going to make the first negative comment about filePro I can ever
remember posting....  However, the USER command is so valuable for the odd
time that it is needed, I feel it is a complete shame that after 25 years,
all the cabe.hlp can say about it is this:

 USER label=progname

                    Sends/receives data to/from user supplied
                    program.(UNIX/LINUX only)


I mean, c'mon guys... that is pretty pathetic. There is NO way anyone could
ever possibly understand how to use this function from this syntax and
single sentence. It has many prerequisites to making it work properly.
Seeing this in the help after all this time is just appalling.
</negativity_on>

<positive_suggestion_on>
We all know about the other resources for filePro, the fpBible, Stewart's
book, Laura's references/web-pages, Nancy's tutorials/web-pages, etc., etc.,
but someone, somehow should be shepherding these online docs into better,
more useful shape... or FP Tech should just buy Laura's reference and put it
into place instead of what is there now. (And retain her services to keep
them maintained).
</positive_suggestion_on>


Sorry, but there is a time and a place for everything... and after nearly 20
years of seeing questions about USER on umpteen different forums... (I even
asked a question about it myself of Ken a few days ago) It seemed to me time
that "the online docs should be fixed" wish should be publicly stated once
again. Are we going to be asking obvious questions about USER 20 years from
now as well?  I hope not. :-)

John