The real shame though is that you can make gui apps efficient.

I've used the same systems you describe, except in gui form.

And the thing is, with this kind of application, everyone has a different 20% that they spend 80% of their time using. Guis can be as good as the TUI in the 80%, and very handy in the 20% where you aren't so well versed.

The issue, is that guis seem to have dropped the ball with regards to efficiency.