As if I don't already have enough to do, now I have to tend to it! That's what impulse buying on the internet gets you.
Actually, I gave it quite a bit of thought before I jumped in. Recently I have been exchanging more information with other researchers - which has been great - but the experience has left me wishing for a better way of sharing.
I created the site using TNG ('The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding') software. I know that Geniaus has a site driven by TNG that she seems very happy with, and that BobbyFamilyTree has one also. Having looked at the details of the software it sounded very much like what I was after. It wasn't the only option I investigated. The thing that struck me was that people who said they used TNG almost invariably followed up with "and love it".
So, www.twigsofyore.com was born. I've spent the last week or two playing with a little customisation, nothing too tricky, and trying to streamline the process of data transfer from my desktop program onto the site. I've also set things up so that a little custom "T" icon will appear in the web address box or on tabs. I put one on this blog, too, now that I know how to do it.
CSS and GEDCOM and favicons, oh my!
Now I have started letting a few family members in, and the reaction so far has been great. It's still a work in progress. The next step is to start getting more documents and photos up, more relatives in, and to continue checking through my note fields for anything that I would prefer wasn't in a more public forum that my desktop software.
At present, the site is available to registered users only. I want to get more feedback from family members who may contribute information on their preferences before I (perhaps) throw the gates open. I could arrange a peek inside for people known to me who are curious - drop me a line if that's you.
So yes, it's more for me to do, but I think I'm going to love it.
Well done on your new website Shelly. Your going about it in a good way, letting rellies in first and feeling your way through the software. I'm very happy with TNG and i'm sure you'll be as well.
ReplyDeleteMy site has always been open to the public and without doing that there is no way i could of gathered up as many internet friends/'family'/contacts/documents/photos etc. Be sure to throw open your site when your ready.
Thanks for the mention in your blog.
Cheers,
Bobby.
I had looked into this platform briefly at one point, but it didn't quite fit what I had in mind for the pattenproject.com/family site. However, it's getting to a point where I'd like to upload a large amount of my data, and despite joomla having add-ons that will allow gedcom files to be imported, I think the solution you've gone with is probably better.
ReplyDeleteYou won't regret taking the plunge. I just find it so easy transferring files from The Master Genealogist to TNG.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to having a look around after your public launch.