What should we do about Vista?
Well, here's your opportunity to help decide what we should do about Blue Ribbon... should we update to version 2.6 so that it's compatible with Vista, or stay a bit longer on version 2.5 (which isn't)?
There are counties out there that have upgraded their office computers to Vista, and have left a "Blue Ribbon computer" set up somewhere, just so they can use it for that... and there are more and more counties who may be upgrading their machines. Is that a workable solution, or should we bite the bullet and change?
With the current economic challenges, I can't guarantee that we'll be changing to anything next fall, so that means this discussion has to be re-opened. I was pretty comfortable when I thought that in a year everyone would be transitioned to a new platform, one that was compatible with all computers. But now that there's a question about whether we can make that happen in that time frame, we need to revisit the plan.
There are still issues with version 2.6, although some things have been fixed. Keep the following things in mind as you respond to the blog:
- If we DO upgrade to 2.6, it's every county, every computer during the same time frame. There's no opt-outs.
- There is a possibility of corrupted data during the upgrade (we'll have backups of your original data, so should be able to mitigate that, although it'll be annoying and messy)
- The grade & years in 4-H do not increment on the re-enrollment forms
- Older printers don't work very well, and the mailing labels are sometimes unpredictable
- There were serious problems with the export process, though I have not figured out whether those were corrected or not.
- Print Data files (Lit By Project) is not working right at all
- ES237 duplicates may not be calculating correctly, and the ES237 report may be terminally unbalanced whether you have the data correct or not.
- We have terminated our Martech support contract, so will not be receiving further updates and/or support from the company. We're on our own with this.
I don't mean to sound totally negative, but wanted to be brutally honest with you about what we're trading for what. Let's hear some input from counties that have left a Blue Ribbon computer, as well as the rest of you. What do you see as a sustainable solution for the next 18-24 months? At some point, we will change systems--we just have to be careful stewards of our financial resources at this point, and that likely means postponing this purchase.
THANKS for responding to the blog!!
Comments
I would rather wait. If we're going to upgrade someday, I'd rather wait it out for a system that has fewer glitches to worry about. Blue Ribbon can sometimes be tough enough without adding the above mentioned issues.
Posted by: Amy Ver Meer | January 20, 2009 03:40 PM
I have a computer that does not have VISTA and after reading through all of those issues plus maybe more once we start using it I would not like to switch over as I feel that I do not need anymore headaches added to my job. However if I needed to I would do it. Steph
Posted by: Steph Erpelding | January 20, 2009 03:42 PM
We don't have any Vista computers in our office, so that's not a concern for me. However, it seems like there are too many issues with 2.6 when 2.5 works so well. Most of us wear many hats, and it seems like trouble-shooting some of these problems will take a lot more time. Since we have dropped our Martech support, it seems to me that the best solution is to stay with what we have (and know) until the new system can be purchased.
Posted by: Paula Behrendt | January 20, 2009 04:00 PM
A question I have is how much is the upgrade going to cost? Personally I'm okay staying with 2.5 but I do have a non vista computer.
Becky: there would be no additional cost. We paid for the 2.6 version with our last year's support fee.
Maybe a survey could be sent to BR users and CEEDS to discuss and send you a decision. This would give some concrete information about what to do.
this sort of IS the survey... :-)
Another thing to think about to is how much are you Becky going to want to spend time troublshooting or fixing issues with 2.6? Just from the list above sounds like alot of work figuring out the kinks.
MY time is the last consideration--rule 1 is still "that's what they pay me for"
Posted by: Tonya Vetter | January 20, 2009 04:14 PM
I upgraded my computer last year and chose not to go with Vista, mainly because of Blue Ribbon.... "If it ain't broke, don't fix it...??"
Posted by: Kris Keene | January 20, 2009 04:18 PM
My vote is to WAIT! My computer is still XP and I don't see that changing in the immediate future. Besides the expense & confusion of everyone changing at the same time, why would we willingly go to a program with so many problems?
Posted by: Sheri Postma | January 20, 2009 04:32 PM
It sounds to me like 2.6 has too many problems to make the change.
Posted by: Joyce Patterson | January 20, 2009 04:34 PM
We don't have any Vista computers here, either, and at this point I don't see that changing soon. Sounds like borrowing trouble if we switch to 2.6 at this point. I vote for staying with 2.5 for now.
Posted by: Carole Gorham | January 20, 2009 04:57 PM
I did switch to Vista....now wish I had not. I have two computers running..one for regular stuff, one for blue ribbon. Not very easy..back and forth back and forth plus it takes up a lot of space. I don't understand, We have vista and the Winn Fair program runs on Vista, why can't they make Blue Ribbon work. How much would it cost to get them to fix it. That might be cost effective to get back in a contract with them to make it work. We have a mess - counties with Vista, counties without Vista and with all of the budget problems....this is not going to get any better. I would like to see everything on my one computer and that has VISTA! Just my opinion!
Becky: Blue Ribbon version 2.6 DOES work on Vista, and we can switch to that without any more cost--our previous contract allowed us to have that version. We just haven't used it because of the other issues with the software. That's the big question here--what's the best solution--put up with having to use Windows XP, or use Vista and put up with the Blue Ribbon issues in 2.6...
Posted by: Sue Barnes | January 20, 2009 07:37 PM
Right now my computer isn't Vista, but will be in March when they order me a new one. I'm happy with Blue Ribbon right now without all the headaches. I hope we wait for one more year, but whatever is decided I'll work with.
Posted by: Rosemary Brimmer | January 21, 2009 08:18 AM
We do not have Vista and we're not considering changing. Actually I saw a news article that Microsoft might be dumping Vista for a new system. I don't think we should change to something with so many problems when what we have works. Also I have two computers for another reason and I have a switch that I can go back and forth without a problem.
Posted by: Joyce Johnson | January 21, 2009 08:50 AM
I don't have a strong preference either way. It looks like we've outlined the drawbacks I wonder though, besides Vista compatability are there any other postive features the upgrade boasts?
I know from past experience with a previous employer, that it can get quite cumbersome having to go between 2 separate terminals for one program.
I don't know that our office would be moving to Vista much before we roll out a new software, so it doesn't matter to me either way. Do Vista users make up the majority? Would we be changing for the masses or causing an upset for just a few select users?
Posted by: Janel Salvatore | January 21, 2009 09:24 AM
It sounds as if version 2.6 has too many bugs. I would rather wait to upgrade until we have something that will run better.
Posted by: Anne Guffey | January 21, 2009 09:38 AM
I got a new computer last year but kept Blue Ribbon on the old computer with XP. I am happy with two computers if it keeps us from having blue ribbon issues.
Posted by: Jackie Skala | January 21, 2009 10:52 AM
I say we stay with what we have. I get along fine with 2.5 and don't like to have problems at this time of life. I am way to old to change now, sorry.
Posted by: Jan Henningsen | January 21, 2009 11:00 AM
My computer was new in '08 and was purposely not a Vista system. Our OAs are scheduled to get new computers in '09 and those will be Vista systems. They plan on keeping an "extra" computer that they can access BR. I am still the main BR user in the office. I would rather stick with 2.5 and not fight the issues with 2.6. I use the export feature all of the time and would hate to lose that feature. If there are inaccuracies in the ES237 reports, it will leave us ALL wishing we had left it alone come September. I say we wait.
Posted by: Teresa Perry | January 21, 2009 11:48 AM
My vote is to wait! I'm doing fine with BR right now and I would just as soon wait until we have to change. And I do not have Vista on my machine and I haven't heard anything in our office about when we will.
Posted by: Jolene Dungey | January 21, 2009 01:11 PM
We updated our computers in the last round before vista and do not plan to update in the foreseeable future. I do not see any reason to change now with all of the possible problems in the update.
Posted by: Vickie Beyer | January 21, 2009 02:10 PM
I would prefer to wait if at all possible. And hopefully many problems will be worked out in the future.
Posted by: Kim Miller | January 22, 2009 10:00 AM
I received a couple of good emails with really helpful information when I sent out the question to cycs a week or two ago. More than one commented that they use two computers-one XP left for BR and their Vista computer for everything else-and that it works a lot smoother than they would have thought. In fact, they said that it's really not a hassle at all. I would tend to think that it wouldn't be a problem to use 2 computers...just takes a bit more organization on the part of the cyc to be the most time-efficient when using BR. Meredith Sandlin even sent me info on "tricking" your Vista into thinking it's an XP so you can do more in BR 2.5!
We all just need to understand that there are pros and cons either way and remember that we can adjust whatever the decision is! :)
Posted by: Amanda Allen | January 22, 2009 10:09 AM
Having experienced what it means to not be able to print literature reports for about 250 kids, I am considering writing a new magazine titled, "Bugs R Bad."
I feel a slight tinge of doom if we upgrade. Not being able to export or increment grades means doing more manually, which will involve more staff hours and leave us open for human error (my specialty).
I understand the issue with Vista, but the alternative seems very risky.
Posted by: Lynette Cline | January 23, 2009 03:23 PM
I'm not excited about 2.6! It sounds horrible! I'm happy to wait. We do only have ONE computer in our office that isn't vista so we will be okay as long as our blue ribbon computer doesn't die on us. Not sure what we would do then!
Posted by: Mary Wilkins | January 26, 2009 12:50 PM
I would prefer to wait and I don't plan on updating to vista until BR will work with it. I like it just the way it is! :)
Posted by: Joan Fliehler | January 30, 2009 09:14 AM