I'm too simple to understand all the implications of the discussion so far, but I do know that as soon as I see the words "simpler database design", someone has underestimated the problem, badly!

However, having said that, let me say this ... 🙂

Smooth. efficient graphical representation of all aspects of a business application are even more critical today than they were in COBOL era's. The complexity and size of even "medium" applications, (especially involving a web environment), mean that we need to be able to overview huge wodges of development, all the inherent relationships and processes - quickly, and then be able to zoom in to the infinitesimally smallest unit.

There just isn't the time to page through, or 'text search' pages of code to sort out problems and plan new components. If the project has 2 man years or so of development, its just too complicated and big to fit in one brain - so the computer has to show the whole picture .... as a picture!

So, I won't be complaining about any graphical improvements, but at the same time my experience with Microsoft is the same as the writer of the article - lots of pretty pictures, but it falls over badly (metaphorically and physically), when any pressure or real detail is applied to their GUI.

If only Bill gates would stop this nonsense about curing AIDS - maybe we could afford to develop a truly awesome environment ! 😛