This document discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using a graphical user interface (GUI) versus the command line for configuring an Asterisk-based phone system like Elastix. It notes that Elastix provides a full-featured GUI but also allows access to the command line for advanced tasks. The GUI makes regular configuration easier by handling common tasks, but the command line is still needed for protocol debugging, file editing, and other specialized functions. Editing configuration files directly requires more technical skill but provides greater control than the GUI.