Difference between revisions of "Main Page"

From VistApedia
Jump to: navigation, search
(What is Vistapedia?)
(Major rewrite)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
== What is Vistapedia? ==
 
== What is Vistapedia? ==
Vistapedia is a wiki resource for VistA (all variants including: Astronaut, WorldVistA EHR, vxVistA, Hui Openvista and Medsphere OpenVistA) and RPMS. Wikis are a place to document shared knowledge. The best example of a wiki is the eponymous [http://www.wikipedia.com/ Wikipedia]. This [[Why a wiki?| wiki]] covers [http://vistapedia.net/index.php?title=Installation_Overview installation] and configuration of [[DHCP~|DHCP]] derivatives such as [[VistA~|VistA]], [[RPMS~|RPMS]] and [[CHCS~|CHCS]].
+
Vistapedia is a wiki resource for VistA (all variants including: Astronaut, WorldVistA EHR, vxVistA, Hui Openvista and Medsphere OpenVistA) and RPMS. Wikis are a place to document shared knowledge. The best example of a wiki is the eponymous [http://www.wikipedia.com/ Wikipedia]. This [[Why a wiki?| wiki]] covers [http://vistapedia.net/index.php?title=Installation_Overview installation] and configuration of [[DHCP~|DHCP]] derivatives such as [[VistA~|VistA]], [[RPMS~|RPMS]] and [[CHCS~|CHCS]]. Vistapedia has not just what you can read in any high level press article, but information you need to understand VistA's culture and values.
 
 
=[[Software Downloads|Software Downloads]]=
 
 
 
=Contents=
 
Contents of Vistapedia such as a Table of Contents equivalent can generally be found in:
 
* [[Special:Specialpages|Special pages]]
 
 
 
Particularly in:
 
* [[Old_Main|Old Main Page]]
 
* [[Special:Popularpages|Popular pages]] and
 
* [[Special:Categories|Categories]].
 
  
 
== What is Vista? ==
 
== What is Vista? ==
VistA is a Electronic Health Record programmed by Federal (US) employees working for the [http://www.va.gov Department of Veterans Affairs (previously Veterans Administration)] for several decades, since the late 1970s. It's public domain software. It is considered by many to be a national treasure. For a more complete coverage of the question you should read [[What is VistA Really]]. This wiki does not just have what you can read in any high level press article, but the information that you need to understand its culture and its values.
+
VistA is a Electronic Health Record programmed by Federal (US) employees working for the [http://www.va.gov Department of Veterans Affairs (previously Veterans Administration)] for several decades, since the late 1970s. It's public domain software. It is considered by many to be a national treasure. For a more complete coverage of the question you should read [[What is VistA Really]].
 
=== The flavors of Vista ===
 
=== The flavors of Vista ===
 
There is a common [[Software Downloads|Software Downloads]] page with pros and cons of each.
 
  
 
At the time I write this (June 21, 2009), there are four flavors of Vista:
 
At the time I write this (June 21, 2009), there are four flavors of Vista:
Line 28: Line 15:
  
 
Go to [[Which VistA]] for more information on the different flavors.
 
Go to [[Which VistA]] for more information on the different flavors.
 +
 +
There is a common [[Software Downloads|Software Downloads]] page with pros and cons of each.
  
 
== What is RPMS? ==
 
== What is RPMS? ==
Line 37: Line 26:
 
== Installation Guides ==
 
== Installation Guides ==
  
By far the easiest way to get an instance of VistA running is to use the Astronaut installers by Dr. Ignacio Valdes. The installers provide a simple way to install VistA using rpm or deb files. First you need to download and install either a debian based (like Ubuntu or Debian) or rpm based (like Fedora or CentOS) version of GNU/Linux. Then download the version of VistA you like from sourceforge below.  
+
The quickest and easiest way to get an instance of VistA running is to use the Astronaut installers by Dr. Ignacio Valdes (even though still beta as of December 2009).  
 
+
*[[Astronaut Installers]]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/worldvistaautoi/ Astronaut WorldVistA(tm) Auto Installer] - rpm and deb installers for WorldVista EHR
+
However, there are several other methods, each with advantages and disadvantages. Please examine them carefully before deciding.
 
+
*[[Software Downloads|Software Downloads]]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/astronautnostro/ Astronaut OpenVistA(tm) Sourceforge page] - rpm and deb installers for Medsphere's OpenVistA
 
 
 
Then follow the instructions for [http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/rpminstall.html installing an rpm] or [http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/ubuntu-linux-how-do-i-install-deb-packages/ installing a deb] depending on which version you chose. It helps if you already understand a little about GNU/Linux to get this working. If this seems a little over your head, you can get help with GNU/Linux at your local [http://www.linux.org/groups/ Linux Users Group].
 
 
 
For the time being the documentation for Astronaut is hosted here in VistApedia, under [[Astronaut VistA]]
 
  
 
== Technical Information ==
 
== Technical Information ==
  
[http://www.vistapedia.net/index.php?title=Category:FAQ Common Questions about VistA].
+
[[How does VistA work]]? This is the technology that you need to understand about VistA even if you really do not want to understand technology.
  
[[How does VistA work]]? This is the technology that you need to understand about VistA even if you really do not want to understand technology
+
[http://www.vistapedia.net/index.php?title=Category:FAQ FAQ] Common Questions about VistA.
  
[[Where do I Start]]? VistA is very well documented. Almost too well. This page help you find the information that you need, depending on what you are looking for. Another way to look at things is on the [[Old Main]] page.
+
[[VistA Community Challenges]] Technical features that VistA needs and issues that hold VistA development back. If VistA is not good enough for your environment, the reason should be listed here.
  
[[VistA Community Challenges]] technical features that VistA needs and issues that hold VistA development back. If VistA is not good enough for your environment, the reason should be listed here.
+
[[Introduction To Programming VistA with MUMPS| MUMPS]] programming guides.
  
[[Introduction To Programming VistA with MUMPS]]
+
[[Where do I Start]]? VistA is very well documented. Almost too well. This page helps you find the information that you need, depending on what you are looking for.
  
[http://www.vistapedia.net/index.php?title=Special:Categories Browse Categories]
+
[http://www.vistapedia.net/index.php?title=Special:Categories Categories] are good for browsing.
  
Information on how to use Microsoft Active Directory for Linux authentication.<br />
+
[[Special:Specialpages|Special pages]] are a Table of Contents equivalent for Vistapedia itself.
[[Linux Active Directory How-To]]
 
  
Using OpenSolaris zones technology for installing VistA<br />
+
Other places to look:
[[OpenSolaris zones]]
+
* [[Old_Main|Old Main Page]]
 +
* [[Special:Popularpages|Popular pages]]
  
 
<small>
 
<small>

Revision as of 01:31, 21 December 2009

What is Vistapedia?

Vistapedia is a wiki resource for VistA (all variants including: Astronaut, WorldVistA EHR, vxVistA, Hui Openvista and Medsphere OpenVistA) and RPMS. Wikis are a place to document shared knowledge. The best example of a wiki is the eponymous Wikipedia. This wiki covers installation and configuration of DHCP derivatives such as VistA, RPMS and CHCS. Vistapedia has not just what you can read in any high level press article, but information you need to understand VistA's culture and values.

What is Vista?

VistA is a Electronic Health Record programmed by Federal (US) employees working for the Department of Veterans Affairs (previously Veterans Administration) for several decades, since the late 1970s. It's public domain software. It is considered by many to be a national treasure. For a more complete coverage of the question you should read What is VistA Really.

The flavors of Vista

At the time I write this (June 21, 2009), there are four flavors of Vista:

(You may hear about da Vinci Vista, VOE Vista, and Hui Vista. These don't exist and/or are not maintained anymore.)

Go to Which VistA for more information on the different flavors.

There is a common Software Downloads page with pros and cons of each.

What is RPMS?

RPMS is another public domain Electronic Health Record, programmed by the Indian Health Service (IHS). It actually started in the late 60's, and thus predates Vista. From the 60's to the 80's, it was a different architecture. Since the 80's, it uses the same architecture as Vista. While RPMS shares a lot of features with Vista, it's much stronger in population-based and outpatient-based Electronic Health Records. Currently, it is not downloadable because IHS has not made a FOIA Gold database available, but it is expected to do so shortly. When it does, I will post a link here. Sam

I want a human to talk to!

Vista implementors and enthusiasts are on a mailing list called HardHats. It's on google groups. Follow this link to browse and join the group. Or email info at worldvista dot org.

Installation Guides

The quickest and easiest way to get an instance of VistA running is to use the Astronaut installers by Dr. Ignacio Valdes (even though still beta as of December 2009).

However, there are several other methods, each with advantages and disadvantages. Please examine them carefully before deciding.

Technical Information

How does VistA work? This is the technology that you need to understand about VistA even if you really do not want to understand technology.

FAQ Common Questions about VistA.

VistA Community Challenges Technical features that VistA needs and issues that hold VistA development back. If VistA is not good enough for your environment, the reason should be listed here.

MUMPS programming guides.

Where do I Start? VistA is very well documented. Almost too well. This page helps you find the information that you need, depending on what you are looking for.

Categories are good for browsing.

Special pages are a Table of Contents equivalent for Vistapedia itself.

Other places to look:

To get access, contact David Whitten ( whitten at worldvista.org ) through an e-mail, or phone 713 870 3834 to get an account. Please send a contact telephone number with your e-mail, and/or have an e-mail address ready when you call. (I need both.) Please decide on your preferred User name and send it as well. We have provided a page for new users and their current status. Thank you.