Jon,
Thanks for taking on the task of gathering a myriad of user opinions and so eloquently organizing them.
As always, I do have a few things to say.
First, in answer to Deborah, who stated she was thrilled with v5 and all of its new features, I am happy for her. I don't want Leslie's and my vote for simplicity to mean I/We don't like AC now with v5. I don't think it is so much that I don't like the order module (I don't :)), but I am just not excited about the direction AC is headed. I know there are several forces which are working to push AC forward faster than maybe it should. One was CCHIT and all of the other government acronyms. The other is the rush to get out a PM. Otherwise, and I am not saying he shouldn't do either, I think v5 would have had ePrescribing and a new vaccine application (very well done), with v6 being the version for HM and/or Order module.
I do think it would be extremely helpful if we had a quarterly newsletter with Jon's thoughts about the direction of the company and maybe a PC or DC for Programmer's Corner or Developer's Corner where they talk about what features may be put in (especially those brought up on the board) and those that may be left out (because they simply can't be done logically). For instance, I and one other user asked why the tab function in demographics skips over the M and F radio buttons. According to my programmer, you simply can't tab to radio buttons or at least to those. Just an example.
I strongly feel that Wikis and the user board should not take the place of AC support and actual manuals. Unfortunately, most user boards are like this. While it helps a lot of people, it is kind of like reading. To get the most out of it, you have to be on it a lot. Threads aren't really meant for an archival knowledge base. Forums like Experts-Exchange work great for that, because each question has specific comments one after the other until the problem is solved. Then, it is closed and searchable. There is generally a specific answer that is chosen.
For me, the boards are for two reasons. I like to interact with everyone and try to help when I can. And, I do like the humor and sharing other things. Hijacked threads can be the best ones.
You are correct when you say that the user board is one of the best assets AC has, and Jon should be really appreciative. I know that he is. He has mentioned the ACUG (Amazing Charts User Group) or board before, and it has never come to fruition. Again, no matter who is on it, they will be responsible for picking and choosing what should go to AC HQ. On the other hand, one person could peruse the board and send ideas to Jon. But, I am not sure it completely works that way.
To be honest, I think one of the best things we can do would be for you to copy and past your post and send it to Jon as I think it does sort of give the overall view of the users from one side to the other.
Thanks again. You are an excellent writer. Be careful or you will be co-author of AC for Dummies by Dummies.
