[hunnybaby24]

I am confused.

OK, I know you can buy software from unbound(nursing central) and skyscape(constellation), but is this a subscription payment for one year and you have to renew it each year?

Or is the payment for software on your PDA that you can keep forever....like for Unbound, you have the software on your PDA but you don't have access to the web Unbound medicine or wireless access?

<--- Here is a heart for anyone that can answer it. and some wine!

[fragino]

Unbound: PDA software with one year online subscription you can access from any computer laptop or desktop. In order to keep using the computer access after one year you have to pay the price for ALL the publications minus 20%. However you can keep using the PDA version.

Skyscape: PDA software WITH computer software for basically the same price as Unbound. There is no expiration on the use of both software.

The bundles are a little bit different but with the software I wanted they came to about the same price. The two most often used publications were Davis Drug Guide and Tabers.

I bought Unbound much to my regret. I found the desktop version very usefull also when doing my careplans and reports but I wasn't willing to pay for the price of the pubs (minus 20%) all over again.

[mrsportsmedicine]

I would agree with fragino. It depends on the bundle you purchase. I use Skyscape and some of the programs don't need/require a subscription while 1 of them does.

[janfrn]

I had the Unbound revelation myself. I'm MUCH happier with Skyscape. Their software does "expire" in a way, because you subscribe for updates when you buy the software. But you can keep on using it forever if you're okay with dated information... just like all the drug and P&P manuals we use at work. Skyscape will send you a reminder when your updates are due to expire and you can choose to renew or not.

[kauainurse]

You have the software, BUT it wont update if you dont renew and cant access online. I use to use skyscape when I had my pocketpc phone (audiovox xv6700) , but now I have a blackberry curve and use Pepid CC or Pepid RN suite. It has labs, drug and other valuable references. You can try it out on a trial basis to see how it works for you, but of course its in its most basic unlocked format.

Aloha!

[fragino]

You access and update online when you sync and charge your PDA with your computer every day.

I've never tried Pepid RN and I'm sure it's a fine product but here's the catch. You still have to pay a yearly fee of $120.00. At least with Skyscape or Unbound you can still keep using your PDA if your yearly update/subscription runs out and you can't afford to buy it at the time. That was my original gripe with Unbound because they wanted me to pay the full price (minus 20%) of the suite just to be able to update and use the desktop version for another year. With Skyscape you are able to use both versions if you choose not to purchase the update/subscription.

So if your are a student you may not be able to afford to keep buying it every year. If you are a nurse then you may be able to afford to pay the yearly fee and Pepid may be the product for you.

[hunnybaby24]

Thanks for your input everyone! It was really helpful. I think I will get the Nursing Constellation and Tabers from Skyscape since I am a nursing student. I tried Pepid before, its neat how its integrated, but our school really wanted us to use the Davis Drug guide for our care plans. Pepid doesn't have all the information that we needed. But I think when I'm out in practice, Pepid would be very helpful.

A Big THANKS again!