"There are software areas where a GUI is just unsuitable for data entry, and until another level for that data entry is reached, the fastest networking and user entry is on Win9x with a character based programming." Two things: one, there's nothing preventing you from deploying character-mode apps to an NT/2K/XP platform, and two, if a GUI-based data entry app has worse usability than a character-mode counterpart, it's the programmer's fault, not the GUI's. Granted, too may people do little more than drag and drop textboxes and then bind them to fields, but that's their fault. I can drive my car into a brick wall. If I do, that's not an indictment of Toyota.
Yes, there is something that prevents it with XP. The apps don't run. Second, that is BS about the fault of the programmer. We are not talking about a little Access database with 5-10 data files. The application(s) I am talking about have a minimum of 400 data files. Some of my competition, with pretty good programmers, cannot make it work effectively. My own experience is irrelevant--obviously it would open me up to flames--but I have had pretty good success.
I didn't post to argue. Just to say that certain production environments don't lend themselves well to GUI.