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Archiver > TMG > 2003-05 > 1053554630


From: Richard Brogger <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Source Export from TMG
Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 17:03:50 -0500
References: <1a9.14ffbe94.2bfd3e8c@aol.com>


wrote:
>
> There should be far more crossing of boundaries between
> software packages. And informed discussion of their relative strengths and
> weaknesses.
> Evelyn Wilcock, London
> genealogy web site at http://members.aol.com/ECWilcock/

I will not argue in favor of the difficulty in crossing boundaries.
Nor against informed discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of
software packages.

Since most genealogy software has but GEDCOM for data to cross the
boundary, the shortcomings of GEDCOM should be discussed on every list
for every genealogy program. GEDCOM was never a strong standard and
now it will not be improved by the owner. I don't think that the LDS
church should be responsible because someone develops software that is
outside of the GEDCOM specs. Nor should software developers be held
back by any lowest common denominator.

It is up to the users of software to demand that their product allow
data to cross their boundary. If that means that they license
GenBridge, fine. If it means that they develop a comparable system,
fine. If it means that they join others who are trying to develop a
replacement for GEDCOM that is a true standard, fine.

If developers will not listen to their customers, those customers
should go looking for a genealogy product that will allow import by
means other than a weak standard that is now almost worthless.

Instead of working to tear down boundaries, some developers actually
have the gaul to tell their customers things like, 'we use GEDCOM, the
standard means of transfer used by all genealogy software.' While that
is a true statement, it is also very misleading. It is like a used car
salesman saying that the car was owned by a little old lady who only
drove it to church on Sunday. That may also be true but if he does not
tell you that the little old lady let her six teenage grand sons drive
the car the rest of the time, is he really telling you the truth?

Richard Brogger

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