Packages ready for testing

Packages for the 0.6 release candidates are ready for testing. If you want a stable EMR choose GNUmed 0.5.2 instead of 0.6 series. Go to software.opensuse.org or use this link. Please report any issues you encounter.

Sebastian

Packages for GNUmed 0.6 series in the making

Hi all,

I am currently active trying to package GNUmed 0.6 release candidates for Opensuse and other rpm based distributions. If all goes well that should be finished before Karsten releases 0.6 final.

If anyone can help out let me know.

Sebastian

GNUmed 0.5.2 packaged

Hi all,

GNUmed 0.5.2 has been packaged. It can be gotten directly from our download page.

Happy New Year everyone,
Sebastian

Medication list printouts from GNUmed

Printing is one are that GNUmed did not provide. That has changed. Karsten has implemented printing of medication lists for patients from within GNUmed. One can store patient's medication in GNUmed and print it to hand it to the patient.

Technically it involves creating a pdf file via LATEX and handing that pdf to the local print feature like kprinter in Linux. Works nicely.

GNUmed user interface toolkit considerations

Historically wxpython has been the only user interface toolkit that was available for MS Windows, GNU/Linux and Apple Mac OSX under a sufficiently free license (GPL in our case). GNUmed founders decided to go for wxpython as the primary GUI toolkit. That has worked out so far but brings some challenges as well.
Things have changes since. Many toolkits have appeared, some previously available have seen their source made freely available. QT comes to mind. It is perceived as a viable alternative by the occasional mailing list poster but few understand what a switch would involve.WxPython and PyQT are both mature tookits. They have both been used in large software projects and are actively developed. The basic features are not really different.
There are however some special features that GNUmed could make use of which are not present in both toolkits.

Feature WxPython PyQT comment backing community Nokia wxpython relies on few individuals, if they go away wxpython might die browser widget wxmozilla webkit widget html support in wxpython is very basic GUI designer wxglade, wxDesigner QTDesigner wxglade is very basic and wxDesigner is non-free community active, medium sized active, large developer pool for wxpython is limited, few highly skilled individuals exist, small medium skilled pool, QT is more widely used because of KDE printing support decent mature printing support is a tough issue for wxpython and GNUmed, probably easier with QT device support PC, other : limited PC , other : various mobile devices QT is available for N900 , Nokia mobile phones, maybe not a huge issue for GNUmed Linux support great great no issues Windows support some issues few issues because of smaller team wxpython has issues keeping up with Vista and Windows 7 Mac support few issues few issues QT has probably fewer issues on Mac 3rd party connectivity n/a n/a QT is used for KDE so it could be easier to interact/integrate with KDEPIM, KMAIL issues for new devs some some novice coders would probably get going faster with QT because of the tools provided, maybe less an issue for experienced devs documentation good good QT probably has more demo code/apps to look at and more coders to help out on mailing lists or IRC cost of switch none high all code for wx is there , now, going for QT involves a complete GUI rewrite

All in all the GNUmed project has no resources , neither in terms of staff nor financial resources to switch from WxPython to PyQT even if that was seen a beneficial. As long as there is only 1 main coder for GNUmed no resources will be allocated to this. That would mean GNUmed development would efectively be stoped until the rewrite is complete. This currently is no option.
It is estimated that an experienced python developer would need roughly one year to rewrite and document the GUI code done in QT.
The GNUmed project acknowledges the issue and will provide all support it can to third parties that will evaluate a GUI rewrite using QT.

GNUmed wants your input on medication lists

Hi all,

We need your help. What is your prefered format/design for a medication list/schedule. We are currently building the medication list feature and need feedback.

If you have a favorite design let us know at gnumed-devel@gnu.org or here in this blog. Get your list, have a look and let us know.

Sebastian