SystemWorks is the first NextStep-based visual oriented shell (as far as I know). You can process files with `scripts' simply by dragging an Icon from Workspace Manager to one of `script windows'.
SystemWorks can perform conventional UNIX operation (such as tar-compress or uudecode) within Icon-oriented framework, and it doesn't require wide knowledge of UNIX, since such complications are hidden behind the Icon metaphor.
SystemWorks is intended to be a visual counterpart for Terminal.
SystemWorks can display its current status by realtime animation. For example, when you dragged TeX files into a ``TeXprocessor'' script, it shows flow of data (tex -> dvi, dvi -> ps, ps -> preview for example) with at-a-glance animation (of course, you can suppress the animation if you asked to do so). Input data and output data are also represented as Input/Output Icon, to make it easier to grasp what's being done.
SystemWorks can encapsulate complications of UNIX commands.
With well-designed scripts, you can use UNIX commands without examining hairy details on manual pages. Each script represents `what the script does' in a few words, as opposed to ordinary UNIX command-line interface, where you must describe `how to do it'.
Of course, you could do that if some friendly gurus provide friendly shell scripts; but it's far easier to drag an Icon than typing VERY LONG file name CORRECTLY. What if you must type "/NextLibrary/Documentation/NeXT/SysRefMan/22_ClassSpecs/AppKit/Application.wn" at your Terminal? Now you have alternative way.
