How did he nail it? How is this system any better than the last one, which was far easier to use? Because we have all kinds of tool available to get help? I'm pretty sure that's the topic here, or at least where it has veered off to.

I wasn't on the property when the last PBS system was in effect. I've used other PBS systems, and there are more user friendly ones out there. But:

Taking the time to learn the current system will reap benefits far sooner than dialogue on an anonymous message board. I agree that this system isn't easy to use and there are better ones out there. Maybe next section 6 something better can be implemented.

Much of the IT has gone full colo-evac here, from ticketing, training issues, expense reimbursement, PBS, the iPad, you name it. That's why we carp so much. If PBS were but one example, you'd read less. But our IT comedy problems have incorporated the whole pie, all five pieces. Apparently, expecting things to work better is no longer in vogue. Yet, we get the full monty regularly WRT our performance and behavior.

I read the manual, and I bid using multiple techniques to drive a solution that works for me. If I run onto that rare problem where I need help, there are several resources to get help quickly.

Finally, if reading a manual and learning the software is too much of a burden (hey, it's only days off), there services that for a fee will turn your days on/off requests into bid groups.

It's not a perfect system, but it's certainly usable. The current system offers more options, which if used incorrectly can cause more problems. I'd rather have more tools to use, not less.

If you do not understand the difference in having one bid group (Adopt) and now having multiple groups, how is it possible to have an educated discussion on the differences?

What I do and don't understand about PBS has little to do with what I posted. "The fact that it requires a thick manual certainly says something negative about the systems opacity and gymnastics required to successfully use the program"

Pointing the finger at me is nice though. If you'd like to begin a thread about my cranial density, I'm game. I can offer numerous examples of my inabilities.

Don't sweat it oldMako....maybe your detractors need a manual for "personal interactions" as well. Just cause it's more complex doesn't mean it's "mo-betta"

Remember that a lot of us didn't use the "last one" so in our minds its the same complexity as this one, but we have to re-learn a brand new one. The devil you know...

Point taken, but is that really a negative? Would a "close-and-play" interface produce better results?

Take Adobe's Photoshop as an example. It's a very complex program that's capable of producing amazing results for those who resolve to learn the program. It can also be useful to novices, but without fully learning the program they'll be somewhat limited in what they can do.

There's also MS Paint that's about as dumbed down as it can get. Everyone can learn it, but no one will produce anything remarkable.

So which one is better?

Yes, it actually does. If I have more ability to nuance my bid with the end result being me getting the schedule that I want. To me, that IS better. If you take away complexity, you also take away options.