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Archiver > GENBOX > 2004-11 > 1100800519


From: Ruth <>
Subject: Re: [GENBOX] Your advice please.
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 17:55:19 +0000
References: <6261021.1100800173215.JavaMail.root@wamui03.slb.atl.earthlink.net>
In-Reply-To: <6261021.1100800173215.JavaMail.root@wamui03.slb.atl.earthlink.net>


Could someone enlighten me please. What's TOP?


On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 09:49:33 -0800 (GMT-08:00),
<> wrote:
> Andrew - A couple of suggestions: Create a special event (tag) in which you record this type of information and use a consistent method of data entry in one of the note fields. You can then do a query (search) on any text string and come up with a list of individuals who meet that criteria.
>
> A second method would be to create a Saved List or Lists. As an example, I have people for whom I need to do a census lookup in the 1870 census. All of those individuals are in my 1870 Saved List. You can run a query to create the list or you can simply create the list and then copy individuals to the list as the need arises. I find the Saved Lists one of the most outstanding features of this program and it lets me jump to those individuals quickly.
>
> A third method would be to use the Individual General or Research Note. Again, by using consistent data entry, you can run queries. I use the General Individual Note to record the documents that I have for each individual. If I want to see everyone for whom I have an obit, I can run a query where the Individual General Note contains OB (my personal code for obits).
>
> A fourth method would be to create Attributes linked to an Event. You could use your event in method #1 with an Attribute link. This will give you a text field on th Event page in which you couild enter any type of text you want. You could use this text field to record "Cen 1870-N; Cen 1880-Y" or whatever "codes" you wanted. Again you can query on these to come up with lists either for one time usage or for creating Saved Lists. I'm not at home at the moment and can't check, but I believe you can also creae attributes that are independent of events, which might be an additional option.
>
> There may be other ways to accomplis this, but these are off the top of my head. Perhaps someone else will have some other suggestions.
>
> Quite frankly, with the flexibility of GenBox, query features, and Saved Lists, I find that I don't miss the Flags feature of TOP in the least. I was using them to record family surnames & associated individuals, but since I can query easily and create a Saved List if desired, I find that I don't need or miss Flags.
>
> Experiment until you find a method that works for you. You will love this program. Every time I now open up TOP, I can't believe that I spent 4 years trying to wrangle that program. It just seems to awkward and unfriendly. I can certainly tell you that since I purchased GenBox in February 2003, I have increased the size of my database by 100% -- all with sources! My productivity has jumped quantumly and I actually enjoy genealogy once more.
>
> CheriC
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Andrew Hough <>
> Sent: Nov 18, 2004 8:25 AM
> To:
> Subject: [GENBOX] Your advice please.
>
> Thanks to Bill for changing the 'Non-biological Parent' display in the
> latest update.
>
> One of the useful aspects of TOP is its multi-valued flags. Instead of
> just having Yes/No flags, TOP can have flags with up to 36 values. I use
> this facility, for example, to show the status of my Census research. A
> value of N indicates the subject has not been found in that census, O
> indicates I have found him in an original source or a photograph of it,
> etc. There are six such values for each Census.
>
> As far as I can see, there is no equivalent in GB. I am reluctant to use
> five separate flags for each Census. By the time I have done this for
> each Census, plus various other flags, I end up with over 100 flags
> instead of the thirteen I have at the moment. In addition, with so many
> flags, it would be easy to set two flags for the same Census.
>
> Can anyone suggest an alternative to the 100+ flags please
>
> Regards
>
> Andrew
>
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