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Who knew it could happen a second time?
I mean, it had happened once to me already. So, just who thought it would, or could, happen again?
A major computer crash. That's what I'm talking about!
My first computer crash was literally a melt down. [Yes, literally.] I was using an HP laptop. And I mean a very expensive [spelled "thousands" of dollars], and guess what? The cooling fan malfunctioned and the hard drive melted. Yep. It cost me over $800 to have my files extracted that time.
Yep... you already guessed it. I didn't have a single thing backed up! [Talk about a nightmare!] I went into a serious panic back then!
That was in 2006. And I have been a fanatic about backing up files ever since. Daily I did computer backup. Then I did backup to an external hard drive, as well as relying on Mozy, for off-site backup. And I swore I'd never keep any files on my computer's hard drive ever again! Well, even with all of that I managed to still have quite an extensive amount of files saved on my computer's hard drive by ten days ago.
And then, I clicked on my toolbar. Yep. A toolbar. And within five minutes I saw my hard drive crash. I could see multiple [literally hundreds of] windows popping up, informing me that a trojan had sent forth its charges. My computer would not shut down. And my anti-virus , while updated only 5 days before, was not prepared for this new onslaught. [Lesson: update anti-virus at least every other day!]
Well, my computer is still down for repair. They may still have to wipe the drive and begin fresh, as the virus is "undetermined".
In the meantime, I got another computer, and am busily setting it up. My external hard drive was protected, so no problems there. But the files I had put on my computers hard drive, I am now retrieving from Mozy. It is well worth the cost of $55 a year. But unless you choose to order CD restoration [which will cost you another $75] it is time consuming. Always a penny-saver, I am taking the laborious route and taking the time to retrieve the files manually [which I am quite pleased to say are safe and are easily transferred to the new computer - although quite time involved].
I do hope to begin to blog once more beginning tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest. So I ask my dear blog friends and readers to bear with me!
Thank you to everyone who has emailed, or for the two who have called, to check on me! Once my other computer is back up and running, I will have a spare, and so I shouldn't ever have to complain about not being able to work due to a malfunction!
I did miss all of the excitement with the GeneaOlympics, and the initial 'Who Do You Think You Are?' posts! But I was reading all about them daily at the library and on the weekend with my hubby's notepad. [Sorry, but I will never be able to use such a tiny keyboard! Ugh! And I simply cannot abide texting or messaging on the cell phone!]
I did see Sarah Jessica Parker's genealogy hunt on WDYTYA Friday night. And I am impressed. Much more so than with PBS's "Faces of America", and I immensely enjoyed that. Looking forward to more this week! NBC, Ancestry, and Wall to Wall media have done an extraordinary job.
I have had my nose plugged into Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak's companion book since it arrived! What a great job Megan! I am so impressed. It is aimed at not just the novice, but everyone! I can see things fresh and anew. What a great work she has done! [I'm ordering copies for my kids now! Trying to get them involved in researching their ancestry. I want them involved! Otherwise, all of my hard work will be left to the county historical society and library when I am gone.And how sad that makes me!!!]
Is everyone else as impressed with Megan's book as I am?
The only thing I'd like to see now is NBC take some of the "commoner's" [non-celebrity individuals] of our country and attempt to perform some research on lines that they [those individuals] would like researched. Hey, I'd stand in line two or three days [or longer!] if they'd consider taking on my brick wall! How about you?
I'll see you in my next post!
Have a wonderful Monday!
Showing posts with label computer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label computer. Show all posts
Monday, March 8, 2010
Saturday, July 11, 2009
My Favorite Genealogy Software
This weeks GeneaBlogger challenge is to write about our favorite genealogy software. So, with that in mind I submit the following:
I have been using Family Tree Maker [FTM] for the past 3 years. I have to admit, though, most practicing genealogists, professional or otherwise may laugh, because before that, I was perfectly content with the free PAF software that I downloaded many years ago on Family Search. [It did all of the major things I required of it!] The only problem that I found with the old PAF software was that when a jpg, gif or tiff file was attached to a file, it was just that. Attached. And if you ever moved your image file for some reason or other [as say when you change computers], your image was then "lost", because the pathway had been removed. You then had to go "find" your image, and re-attach it to the file.
Then in 2006, when I renewed my Ancestry.com membership, I was also offered a tremendous savings on purchasing the FTM program.
I have been sold on that ever since!
Family Tree Maker basically takes care of all of my needs. I am able to import and export with tremendous ease. I seldom ever import any type of files however, especially gedcom's. I prefer instead to enter all information, even on large files, by hand. I can then make sure of any errors [especially blatant ones], as well as get a feel for the persons I am working on.
I can also save most image files without problems. And the image is saved right to my FTM program. If I export my gedcom, for any reason, I don't have to export images as well. They are already within the file.
Sources are easily entered for just about any kind of input I may have. And I love the way Endnotes prints out all of my sources numerically when the file is printed out. This makes for ease of my clients in actually seeing each of the sources with no difficulty.
Reports are printed quite well. I still like to prepare my own reports, as well as the program generated ones when working for a client, however. The program generated reports appear a little stilted, and have no personality. You can, however, insert comment as you want, and can still go with just the computer generated one if it's your thing.
The ability to print "Books", makes this program unique when you are preparing reports for clients. For my personal clients, I always use this function. Each page I then slip into an archival sleeve, and then into a binder. This gives my client the look of a professional print, without the high cost of taking it to a printer, or collater.
I love the scrapbook pages. These can also be added in your "Book". These print your images at thumbnail size. These give clients the chance to actually see the document, photo, etc. that you accumulated while working on their ancestor. [Hint: I always burn these images full-size to a CD so that clients can then print them out if they choose. Unless pre-arranged before hand, I always print these "mini-images" for clients. It allows me to discount my services, and yet with the CD gives the client the ability to still have a full-page document if they choose.]
There are numerous ways to view a family, descendency, or pedigree with FTM. And more tools than I could safely mention without fear of forgetting any!
The Help function is unbelievable. I've used it more times than I count!
But one of my favorite features is the "Web Search Resources" button. Simply click this button, below any individual's entry, and the program will automatically connect you to Ancestry.com and begin a search for matches. [You do have to have an Internet connection first!] This has saved me more time than I can possibly tell you about! Results are brought up within the program, and you can click on any result and be taken to Ancestry.com and view the record or document it pertains to.
FTM may not be everyone's favorite. And I am sure there are many other programs that do as much, if not more, for other researchers. But for my money, and my experience, Family Tree Maker has served me well. And as my Grandpa always said, "If ain't broke, don't try to fix it!"
Until next time!
I have been using Family Tree Maker [FTM] for the past 3 years. I have to admit, though, most practicing genealogists, professional or otherwise may laugh, because before that, I was perfectly content with the free PAF software that I downloaded many years ago on Family Search. [It did all of the major things I required of it!] The only problem that I found with the old PAF software was that when a jpg, gif or tiff file was attached to a file, it was just that. Attached. And if you ever moved your image file for some reason or other [as say when you change computers], your image was then "lost", because the pathway had been removed. You then had to go "find" your image, and re-attach it to the file.
Then in 2006, when I renewed my Ancestry.com membership, I was also offered a tremendous savings on purchasing the FTM program.
I have been sold on that ever since!
Family Tree Maker basically takes care of all of my needs. I am able to import and export with tremendous ease. I seldom ever import any type of files however, especially gedcom's. I prefer instead to enter all information, even on large files, by hand. I can then make sure of any errors [especially blatant ones], as well as get a feel for the persons I am working on.
I can also save most image files without problems. And the image is saved right to my FTM program. If I export my gedcom, for any reason, I don't have to export images as well. They are already within the file.
Sources are easily entered for just about any kind of input I may have. And I love the way Endnotes prints out all of my sources numerically when the file is printed out. This makes for ease of my clients in actually seeing each of the sources with no difficulty.
Reports are printed quite well. I still like to prepare my own reports, as well as the program generated ones when working for a client, however. The program generated reports appear a little stilted, and have no personality. You can, however, insert comment as you want, and can still go with just the computer generated one if it's your thing.
The ability to print "Books", makes this program unique when you are preparing reports for clients. For my personal clients, I always use this function. Each page I then slip into an archival sleeve, and then into a binder. This gives my client the look of a professional print, without the high cost of taking it to a printer, or collater.
I love the scrapbook pages. These can also be added in your "Book". These print your images at thumbnail size. These give clients the chance to actually see the document, photo, etc. that you accumulated while working on their ancestor. [Hint: I always burn these images full-size to a CD so that clients can then print them out if they choose. Unless pre-arranged before hand, I always print these "mini-images" for clients. It allows me to discount my services, and yet with the CD gives the client the ability to still have a full-page document if they choose.]
There are numerous ways to view a family, descendency, or pedigree with FTM. And more tools than I could safely mention without fear of forgetting any!
The Help function is unbelievable. I've used it more times than I count!
But one of my favorite features is the "Web Search Resources" button. Simply click this button, below any individual's entry, and the program will automatically connect you to Ancestry.com and begin a search for matches. [You do have to have an Internet connection first!] This has saved me more time than I can possibly tell you about! Results are brought up within the program, and you can click on any result and be taken to Ancestry.com and view the record or document it pertains to.
FTM may not be everyone's favorite. And I am sure there are many other programs that do as much, if not more, for other researchers. But for my money, and my experience, Family Tree Maker has served me well. And as my Grandpa always said, "If ain't broke, don't try to fix it!"
Until next time!
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