If you are planning on dropping a few hundred dollars on Lexi-Comp's suite of drug and medical information databases, read this first. Some of you may not be aware, but there are two hidden "features" of the subscription. I say hidden because they are in fact fine print, but not very intuitive. FIrst I should mention Lexi-Comp has been my gold standard for medication information over the past 2 years. They provide referenced, frequently updated information to subscribers. I use the Lexi-Complete product, which offers over 14 databases.
The two features I ran into were:
1. Inability to access databases the DAY after the subscription is set to expire. Unlike a nice book, once your subscription runs out the data is no longer yours. No access at all. I was hoping to just get access without any updates. I guess in my mind the subscription covers updates to the information, and that is the main motivation for using a digital version over print. Sorry Lexi-Comp, but I do not agree with your defin
2. One subscription, one device. So I was ok with #1, because in previous years I was able to pay one time (albeit hundreds of dollars) and put it on 2 devices. After calling Lexi-Comp Support, they claim that was bug, and I violated the terms of use. So this year after dropping just over $500 for a 2+ year subscription, they inform me that I will need to drop an additional $500 to get the same program on a device that is sitting right next to my iPhone on my desk in front of me. No thank you.
Sorry Lexi-Comp, but I do not agree with your definition of subscription, nor your idea of digital rights management. You should review some of the more established online content distribution models, such as http://www.audible.com/ . They charge per year, but you can put the digital content on multiple devices, and it always stays on your computer. The agrument that you are a medical information vendor and Audible is a book vendor won't fly with me either. Last time I checked both companies sell print and digital versions of their products.
As a result, I cancelled my subscription before the $500 expense had time to hit my wallet. Money well saved.
How do you feel about drug information software for mobile and desktop devices?
