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Genealogists: tech’s early adopters?

July 13th, 2011 by Elizabeth

I managed to get a Google+ invite less than a week ago and I’ve been trying to play around with it and figure it out a little. I’ll be happier if it gets Hootsuite integration, but that’s just me wanting one-stop-shopping.

What I noticed tonight is that my largest group, by far, is made up of my genealogy peeps! Considering that there are those who question why genealogists would bother with social media (a question I gave my perspective on here over a year ago), I find it interesting and reassuring.

People are using social media to connect to further their genealogy ends. Whether it’s for research, finding new cousins, learning new skills, or seeking collaboration, they are out there.

Genealogists are the new early adopters!

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Disclosure: I don’t get anything from Hootsuite. In fact I pay them monthly cuz I monitor too many accounts to use the free version. But I like it enough to pay them, so there you go.

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Categories : social media, technology
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What I do – Tech for Genealogy Research (and beyond)

July 8th, 2010 by Elizabeth

Geneabloggers posted a new Meme today for the genealogy blogging community: “list what you use in terms of technology to either run your genealogy business or pursue your family history as a hobby.” It’s an excellent topic for discussion (and is begging for a compilation and maybe a chart or two). The Family Curator adds that a biographical note is probably useful for context; another awesome idea!

Bio/Info: My professional background is in publishing/graphics/web so some of the programs and tools I use for my aspiring professional genealogy life (and personal research) would probably be overkill for some folks (ie: Photoshop when Photoshop Elements might be all you need). But, they are what I have on hand and know how to use. I also have a pretty serious photography habit (as does my husband) and I love statistics and charts (refer to “geek” part of blog name).

Note regarding links below: normally I set links to open in a new window but since there are a bunch in the list below, I haven’t done this for them. If you want to check out a link but not leave my blog (and why would you, right?), for PC users hold down the CTRL key when you click the link and it should open in a new tab (works for Firefox and IE).

Hardware
  • Computer Set-up (1): Toshiba Satellite P305D-S8900 with AMD Turion™ X2 Duel-Core Mobile RM-70 2.00GHz, 4GB RAM, 300GB hard drive; running Windows Vista™ Home Premium (64-bit). Also, for use at home: Acer external monitor, Belkin laptop cooling fan, wireless external mouse, Wacom Bamboo tablet (input device), and Toshiba Dynadock to pull it all together.
  • Computer Set-up (2): Dell XPS 410 desktop with Intel Core™ 2 CPU @ 1.86 GHz, 2GB RAM, 500GB hard drive; running Windows Professional 7 (32-bit). Noted here because that’s what the external drives are actually plugged into.
  • External storage: Maxtor OneTouch 4 (now Seagate; their products here) 1TB drive and Fathom GreenDrive (1TB). Sounds like a lot but I’ll actually probably be getting another larger drive soon. (Remember I mentioned that serious photography habit?) Also, generally I’m more of a fan of having several pieces of equipment of smaller sizes then just one LARGE drive. It insulates you from massive data loss and *should* run faster.
  • Online storage: Windows Live SkyDrive (25GB free), Dropbox (2GB free, more for $$; easy sync to your computer though)
  • Router: Netgear Rangemax Duo Wireless router
  • Backup: Carbonite(for laptop) and Mozy (for desktop as it accommodates backup of the external drives)
  • Firewall: Windows Firewall
  • Virus protection & Spyware: Norton 360
  • File cleaner: Microsoft Disc Cleanup
  • Printers: Canon MF4100 (black and white laser+scanner+fax; don’t use this scanner for genealogy use though) and Brother HL-3070CW (color printer)
  • Scanner: Epson Perfection 1660 Photo
Software
  • Browser: primarily Firefox but have to use Internet Explorer for Ancestry.com and LinkedIn
  • eBook Reader: Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF)
  • Text editor: Microsoft Word, Notepad
  • Graphics: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop
  • Screen capture: Windows Snipping Tool
  • Office suite: Microsoft Office 2007 (don’t remember which version)
  • E-mail: Outlook 2007 (I bring all my email addresses into this interface, at 7 addresses and counting). Also have email access in iPhone for 6 of the addresses).
  • Calendar: Outlook 2007 (synced with iPhone)
  • Accounting: Quickbooks Pro 2010
  • PDF generator: Adobe Acrobat distiller for hard core, but you can “save as” to PDF from most programs these days
  • Genealogy database: Family Tree Maker 2010 (have been using FTM for, well, ever) and The Master Genealogist v7 (still in testing mode)
  • Genealogy tools:
    • GenSmarts (well, would like to use it when I get the time – pausing for group laugh…)
    • See iPhone apps below (I <3 by iPhone)
    • Microsoft Word & Excel
    • Google: books, maps, search engine
Back-up Strategy
  • Maxtor external hard-drive nightly backups up changes to desktop and external Fathom harddrive (aka: GreenHornet). The Maxtor is the external drive I need to get a larger version of. Since it’s my first line of restoring.
  • I manually backup laptop files to a directory (aka Folder for the non-tech types) on GreenHornet [which are then backed up by Maxtor drive]
  • Laptop is automatically backed up offsite via Carbonite (whenever is detects a change; performace impact is low).
  • Desktop hard drive, GreenHornet, and Maxtor external drives are automatically backed up offsite via Mozy (set up backup when CPU usage drops below a certain level, up to something like 3 times a day but since the kids use this computer CPU is pretty busy until they go to bed).

Yea, I’m a little paranoid. We’ve had hard drive failures before. It is not pretty.

Media
  • Phone, mobile media: iPhone
  • Music Player: iPhone and Zune
  • Car audio: whatever is installed from the factory
Social
File Transfer
  • RSS: Google Reader (requires Google account)
  • FTP: I have FileZilla installed, but honestly usually just end up using Windows functionality. It was a pain to set up though
Other Tech Stuff
  • Still Photography: Canon EOS camera bodies and various lenses. Of course, also use my iPhone camera.
  • Video: JVC digital camcorder and iPhone video (you use what you have with you!)
  • Search engine: Google. Sometimes will also use Dogpile or Bing on occasion.
  • Web site creation: Microsoft Expression Web, Adobe Dreamweaver, Notepad
Mobile/iPhone Apps
  • Tree to Go from Amazon
  • GedView from The Generations Network
  • Genealogy Gems Podcast
  • Shutterfly
  • TweetDeck
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • GoodReader (for reading PDFs, perfect for conference syllabi)
Wish List
  • A netbook or more portable device (but gotta have a decent keyboard)

And lastly, paper. Lots and lots of paper. Because as much I love my tech, there is something to be said for the paper piles to and when I’m brainstorming or working on a tricky problem, I can still doodle better on a yellow legal pad.

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Categories : computers, data backup, geneabloggers, social media, technology, twitter
Comments (2)

My Plan for Virtual Jamboree 2010

June 10th, 2010 by Elizabeth

In case you hadn’t heard, there’s a little ‘ole genealogical gathering going on starting tomorrow and running through Sunday in southern California: the Southern California Genealogical Society’s Jamboree 2010 (aka: Jamboree or The Place To Be).

But alas, I’m going to be what feels like one of a small handful of genealogists who won’t be there. Chalk it up to bad timing and lack of funds. But not to be deterred, here is my plan for Virtual Jamboree 2010.

Prepare

Just like anyone who is physically there, I want to make sure I have a game plan. Especially since I’ll have my little darlin’s hanging around and needing things like, oh, lunch, I want to know what the sessions are and when in general different things are happening. So head over to the Jamboree website and checkout the schedule. I’m an ‘at a glance’ person, so I’ve downloaded the schedule grid. Print it out, mark it up, and we’re good to go!

What are other events that are going on? You can already browse the virtual exhibitor hall and while not as good as the real thing you may still find a great new genealogy vendor (and hey, no crowds and this version never closes!).

Wanting the latest news of what’s going on with speakers, events, etc.? Check out the conference blog.

During the conference

Follow the Tweets

Jamboree is hip and happenin’ when it comes to social media and has a well thought out and fair policy. They are encouraging blogging and tweeting during the conference so you know I’ll be following the Twitter stream by using the hashtag #scgs10. You won’t find play by play of the sessions here (or you shouldn’t), but you will find highlights which may help you decide if you want more information on that topic. You’ll probably also find quick thoughts on vendor offerings and probably plenty of ‘hey! I just met (fill in the blank)’.

Follow the Blogs (if you can)

It’s going to be a blogging extravaganza! Thomas MacEntee of Geneabloggers has compiled a list of known bloggers in attendance. I can’t wait to read their thoughts and reviews of the event.

Pictures!

The Jamboree staff has set up a group over at Flicker for pictures.

What about you?

If you aren’t able to attend, will you be doing anything to follow the conference?

If you are attending, will you be doing anything to give folks a sense of the event?

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Categories : Jamboree, conference, connecting, scgs10, social media, technology, twitter
Comments (7)

Why care about all this ‘social networking’ nonsense?

May 19th, 2010 by Elizabeth

Because it’s just another name for what we’ve always done. There, if you’re pressed for time you can move onto the next blog you need to read. If you have a moment, grab your beverage of choice and ponder with me a moment.

Genealogists are social creatures and have always networked. Back in the day it meant writing letters and joining local, and far flung, genealogical and historical societies in order to make connections. Over time new tools were introduced. Phones, cars, planes all served to speed up and increase the range of communication a person engage in. And then came computers and electronic networks. The possibilities for making connections grew. You could post the same query on a single electronic bulletin board that before you might have had write out and mail several versions of, hoping you’ve picked the correct libraries and societies to contact.

Today is different only in terms of the tools we use in our networking and the fact that those tools now allow us to connect faster, and to a wider audience, than ever before. “Social networking” as touted by the news and offered up by companies really isn’t that different of an interaction from the electronic bulletin boards, list servs, library bulletin board, or written query letter.

Are you a professional genealogist who refuses to utilize social networking? Keep in mind that you are discounting a tool that could allow you to quickly find someone in that remote little town who can pull records for you or tap into a vast well of knowledge to figure out how to get over a hurdle. Over time, the folks who can do a quality job quicker are going to have more satisfied clients and they’ll get more business.

Now granted, new tools can be scary to learn and sometimes intimidating; facts that shouldn’t be discounted as they are very real barriers to some folks. And there are certainly issues around being online in general including privacy–as in maintaining yours–and the time suck that can occur when you start trying to digest all the information coming in. Things to be aware of, yes. But the benefit of making connections and advancing your family research is very real. Weigh your options, don’t pooh-pooh something just because it’s newfangled.

So, I’ve convinced you and you want to check out this social networking thing but, eek!, it’s scary! Go find a teenager or tween. Seriously. They are ones embracing these new technologies at remarkable speeds and–BONUS!–what better way to reach out to them? Here you have an opportunity to learn a new skill that could reap great rewards for your research AND connect with someone who could become your genealogical heir. If not the one teaching you, perhaps a member of the younger generation that you end up connecting with online. I stay connected to my cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephew via Facebook as none of us are letter-writing folks and it’s how I get the majority of my family news.

So, in summary, Why you should get on board with the big bad social networking thing:

  • It’s not a new concept, just new tools
  • Opens up vast possibilities for connections
  • Including in your own family
  • Chance for son/daughter to teach you something new (and you to find out what they’re really doing online, but don’t let them read this or they’ll be on to you)
  • It’s the launching board for the next greatest way to connect

(yea, kinda sprang that last one on ya)

With Thanks to Caroline Pointer, Family Stories, (twitter: @familystories) for asking the question that inspired this post.

Categories : computers, connecting, genealogical heir, social media, technology
Comments (4)

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