1991/92?
Office use.
A little background.
The IBM AS400 midrange computer was used by many Scottish local councils back in the nineties as the main computer for large scale data processing - in Glasgow some of the bespoke programs written for it were used by the Personnel, Stores, Training, Finance departments and it was also used by the vehicle workshops for maintenance records.
While the AS400 was a multi-user system there wasn't even a hint of a GUI - no Windows style interface or GUI of any description - and forget mice - text and data input was via the keyboard only - using the tab keys to navigate. On some programs keyboard macros were implemented which , depending on the application, speeded up input from the user in the relevant text and data fields. All in a lovely shade of Green.
The MD file below was made in response to problems with the layout (known then as the screen mask) of the fields for the new Bulk Uplift program.
As previously mentioned input was keyboard only and for this particular program input started at the top left of the screen and finished at the bottom right.
But.
Amongst other problems (far too boring to detail) the call type was defined by the refuse types (chargeable/non-chargeable) and in the original screen layout this required the user to tab back up the screen to fill in that field!
Not good, not good at all.
So was this bad programming?
Nope - bad communication.
The programmers were given an initial spec and once the program was completed and then in daily use, their contact with users was minimal. Mmm.
Anyway once the design below was accepted, the changes were implemented within a few weeks and input to the program was made easier.
I have included a few AS400 photos for context.