From Hardhats Listserve:

Here are some recurrent questions us nontechies have about VistA:


 * 1) Is Mumps a serious limitation to complete EHR functionality, code maintainence, HL7, or PMS interfacing?


 * 2) What is the fundamental difference between a relational database and a hierarchical database and how does that effect the end-user? (Should we even care? If so why?)


 * 3) How hard is it for non-Mumps IT personnel to learn Mumps/VistA and are there enough experienced VistA programmers (or former VistA programmers) to consult or be hired to non-VA projects?


 * 4) What other concerns should we have regarding adopting VistA?


 * What exactly is the watermelon doing there?:

What you see in the Critical Stress Lab is a revolutionary watermelon capable of withstanding impact pressures of 300,000 pounds per square inch! Sweet, juicy and vitamin-packed, this remarkable fruit can be dropped from the bomb bays of low-flying aircraft into the backyards of disenfranchised villagers in the remotest backwaters of this angry planet. Just another Team Banzai effort to cut through all the unnecessary crap around us and help people help themselves. Look for high-impact, low cholesterol eggs next... and sooner than you think, shatter-proof whole-wheat taco shells.

[The question that this all brings up is, of course, if you create a watermelon that can withstand the impact from being dropped from an airplane, how do the people that find it open it up? - Sean]