_____  

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
On Behalf Of Andrew Magennis
Sent: Friday, 5 January 2007 10:25 PM
To: General Practice Computing Group Talk
Subject: Re: [GPCG_TALK] New HCN Mailing List Etc


Liz
Thanks for your comments.
You ask of what I am frightened. My simple answer is nothing.
After I read Cedric's post re the HCN forums, I confess to being amused by
his interpretation of the events leading to his removal but chose not to
respond. I have chosen to generally not comment on this list as more often
than not it achieves nothing as many of the minds are firmly set in their
ways and when I have tried to explain an alternate view, I am simply accused
of being a salesman. Better to simply not comment.

As it happens, after I read what Cedric had to say re his removal, I called
John Frost (current HCN CEO) as what he said did not reflect my recollection
of the time. I recall Cedric acting as a "salesman" for another competing
package - trying to encourage our users to leave and pointing out its
virtues in his opinion. Not quite what a product forum is generally set up
to encourage. As you know I am the Medical Director of HCN and really have
nothing to do with the various forums and so my knowledge of events is
limited. What I said about Cedric's antics is my recollection, not the
'official' HCN position. I have no understanding of your past forum
circumstances. What I can say though about our forums is that John Frost
advised me that to date, over the many years that the forums have been
running, about 5 or 6 people have being disallowed from making posts. I am
advised that the circumstances of each were quite different. Considering
that we currently have over 17,000 active users of the Medical Director
product, I think that most would agree that this very small number could
hardly be seen as HCN being heavy handed.

As to "decent discussion", whenever people have asked my opinion in a polite
manner, I think that I have provided same. I very deliberately have an email
signature with my name, position and contact details (unlike many who post
to this group) and certainly encourage people to call me if they seek my
council. I am not the HCN Support Desk, and so I do not encourage blow by
blow technical support contacts; they get directed to persons better suited
to assist, but I am happy to talk to anyone about almost anything.
I recall having a very enjoyable discussion with your good self at one of
the bigger conferences not that long ago. We did not agree about everything
discussed but the discussion was, I recall, very civil. In my opinion, life
is too short not to be civil, but as you well know, some on this list have
very definite views and some sadly can be quite rude in the way in which
they present their opinions.

Generally speaking in this environment, I am dammed if I do and dammed if I
do not make comment, so generally I choose not to.

The point of my post was not "legal heaviness" as you suggest, but rather
that the new discussion list introduction page would have some believing
that they can say what ever they want, be it the truth, be it defamatory
and/or blatantly incorrect. It also suggests that all in the 'club' agree
not to action any comment, the implication being that the comments can be
made without any consequences. I was simply trying to point out to the
troupes that, in Australian law, this is simply not the case. Prevention to
me seems better than cure.

HCN is not "frightened" of anything in the sense that you pose the question.
Medical Director is better than ever. We receive compliments daily about the
increased speed, stability etc etc, and a lot more great stuff to be
introduced in coming months (sorry, guilty as a salesman) and despite the
utterances of some of our competitors, our month on month user numbers
continue to grow substantially.

On Sunday I start 2 weeks holiday and so if this discussion drags on, sadly
any further comment from me might be a bit delayed.
I wish you and the other GPCG list members a very happy and safe 2007. :-) 
Andrew

Dr. Andrew Magennis
M.B.,B.S. B.Sc (Hons) Dip. R.A.C.O.G.
Medical Director
Health Communication Network

Contact
Work Tel: 03 9810 4510
Work Fax: 03 9819 3263
Mobile: 0417 135 302
Home Fax: 03 9882 3251
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web: www.hcn.com.au
[Thinus van Rensburg]  


I was certainly banned for making some constructive (Or so I thought)
criticisms on the HCN forums around 2002/3. Luckily they allowed me back
last year :)-
T
 


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