That said, Bert and Paul, how would you propose I handle the (rare) user that doesn't abide by common courtesy and behaves in a manner similar to your most difficult Axis II patient? For example, the user that calls and threatens the staff (yes, it happens occassionally), or publically defames Amazing Charts by posting information they know to be false as a means to manipulate the company to bend to their personal bidding (yes, it happens)?
These type of users - like the difficult patient you've had to discharge from your practice because their behavior disrupts your staff and other patients - we do not want to be apart of our growing community and we don't want their behavior distracting from our continuing effort to improve Amazing Charts for the majority of our users.
First, let me reiterate that I have always been a staunch supporter of the EULA. I have always thought that it has been overblown partially because I have not at all been worried about my data being held hostage (it can't) or my AC being turned off (I am also not worried about that -- not only for my belief you wouldn't do that but also because I think it can't be done -- although I suppose, like Microsoft, Genuine Authenticity scripts could be introduced via upgrades). I just don't know what things could be turned off. And, unlike Microsoft, where having your pirated version of XP or Vista shut down means installing a paid version, it would be easy to go back to another version of AC.
I just objected to the one line where it stated that AC does have the power to do that -- not just the right but the technology.
Now to address the questions:
There are three major areas we are talking about. I think we forget this when talking about users.
1. Abusing support staff. No one should be allowed to abuse your support. I think that is relatively simple. If they are abused, you no longer take their calls. Either forever or maybe for six months to a year. I don't think anyone would object to that. I have excellent support contracts with HP, Acronis, Backup Assist, etc., but if I went off on them in a manner that was considered offensive, they would have the right to terminate my support contract even if it meant refunding any money I had paid.
2. The boards. I could make that analogy again to Microsoft. Anyone at anytime can go off on Microsoft on boards pertaining to them. Now that may not be true on boards that they particularly sponsor, and I do think you have a right to "police" your boards when it comes to extremely derogatory comments. I would define that as comments that do not pertain to Amazing Charts in general. Whether or not a post is based on fact or not is a tough decision and a judgment call. While freedom of speech does not mean you have the right to "yell fire in a crowded theater," it probably does give you the right to say the theater is the dirtiest you have ever been in even if it is clean and immaculate. Saying derogatory things about your staff or another user may meet the criteria of being unacceptable. But, no matter what your criteria is, a user can be banned easily from the boards. Hell, I even have that power, although I would never use it as I would leave that up to you. I don't think, all in all, that negative comments about AC have not hurt AC, because the users are bright enough to discern comments which are not accurate.
3. The use of AC and its data. This I would leave alone as the top two basically cover all of your scenarios.
I don't think the discussion of the EULA has anything to do with how good a program AC is or how good and nice the owner is. That said, I do think that AC is, by far, the best EMR program on earth, and I tell that to people all the time. As a power user and a moderator and one who posts a lot, I have received at least 25 phone calls in regard to whether or not a prospective customer should use AC. In every instance, I have spent quite a bit of my personal time going over AC in detail and bragging on its capabilities.
Lastly, I do think this whole EULA thing has been blown way out of proportion, and I have told certain people this both on the board and in emails and phone calls. I do appreciate your going above and beyond to seek input to the EULA and trying to make it more user friendly.
I hope that we can put the whole EULA thing behind us and we can move toward improving AC, especially the little details that all of us would love incorporated into the program.
That's just my little line to help promote those changes.
