APG-L Archives

Archiver > APG > 2002-10 > 1035906643


From: Jerry Fitzpatrick <>
Subject: RE: [APG] Place Names
Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 09:50:43 -0600
In-Reply-To: <20021029002602.39887.qmail@web13406.mail.yahoo.com>


Ray,

Thanks for your comments.

I suspect we have opposing views on this subject, depending upon what
you mean by a "useful" tool. The most *effective* tool is usually the
one that is specialized for a particular task. The most *inexpensive*
tools is usually the one having the shortest lifetime. The most
*general-purpose* (flexible?) tools is usually the one that does a
number of things, but none of them especially well. Your choice depends
upon whether you value effectiveness, longevity, cost, or multiple
purpose.

Standardization, and the balance I referred to earlier, have nothing to
do with programmer convenience. In fact, they'd have nothing to do with
computers at all if it weren't for the fact that people use them for
genealogical research.

My reply to Judy Newman about place names applies to all genealogical
data. The ideal is to provide information that is complete,
understandable, durable, and consistent from genealogist to genealogist.
You can't turn gibberish into prose any more than you can turn a sow's
ear into a silk purse.

I've used the two most recent versions of TMG as well as many other
genealogy programs. Your allegiance to the product is admirable.
However, I'm sure some people felt the same way about Ford's Model T.

As an experienced computer professional, I know what's possible with
computer technology and have the vision to pursue it. In the early
1980's, when I was one of a handful of voice mail pioneers, view people
understood its importance, even when we gave them a demonstration. Like
it or not, voice mail is now a part of everyday life, accounting for
billions of dollars in sales each year.

Can you not envision a world in which genealogical information is easier
to obtain, process, store, and exchange? Do you so enjoy the laborious
search for arcane and illegible records that you wish to leave the same
legacy for future researchers?

Jerry

---
Jerry Fitzpatrick
Software Renovation Corporation

http://www.SoftwareRenovation.com



-----Original Message-----
From: Ray Beere Johnson II [mailto:]
Sent: Monday, October 28, 2002 6:26 PM
To:
Subject: [APG] Place Names

Sorry about the 'blank' I just sent; a
keyboard error was responsible. I would prefer to
have some say in the development of the tools
used, but the most useful tool for ANY task is
nearly always the most flexible one that will do
the job. I think that computer programs must be
designed with the maximum of flexibility, even if
that is not convenient for the programmmers, or
ecomnomical for the companies that produce the
software. Of course, that won't happen, with the
exception of the Master Genealogist, which may
well incorporate whatever improvements thoughtful
genealogists can come up with. Use TMG, and you
will able to do about as much as is possible on a
computer. It still requires careful thought
before entering place names, notes, etc., of
course, but perhaps later versions will use
metadata to make things even more helpful.
Ray


=====
Ray Beere Johnson II - Genealogist
279 East Central Street, Suite 259
P. O. Box 95
Franklin, Massachusetts 02038


FAX: 508-541-6788

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