On the Legacy user group and elsewhere various people have discussed things like using MS Acess to manipulate Legacy data, and various other things relating broadly to genealogy software development.
We don't all have exactly the same concerns, but I think they overlap sufficiently to make it possible to have useful conversations and share ideas. It would therefore be nice if we could get together in a forum where such discussions would not be off topic, and go beyond the scope (or remit, as Brits say) of the forum. I've tried to discuss tuch things in the soc.genealogy.computing newsgroup, which seems to be the logical place for it, though people also discuss things like how to do this or that in such and such a program, and most only seem to be interested in that. The advantage of having such discussions in a newsgroup is that it is publicly accessible, and therefore relatively easy for others to find. To have useful discussions, one needs a critical mass of interested people. I've tried to start discussions on the relative merits and features of Clooz and Custodian and there has been no response. Another advantage of newsgroups is that and such software development needs input from users as well as developers. It's all to easy to design software that doesn't really meet the needs of users. With newsgroups, one can crosspost an idea for a program to various generalogy newsgroups, to get responses of a variety of genealogists, and set follow-ups back to soc.genealogy.computing. If those polled on such things are interested enough, they can easily subscribe to that newsgroup too. But failing that, perhaps one could start a newsgroup of YahooGroups or somewhere, and invite interested people to join. An advantage of that, compared with newsgroups, is that one can upload sample files of code or datya models etc, which other people can download and look at. One can set up an online database of interests and projects. The Legacy user group list isn't really a suitable place for discussing this, because it sometimes goes beyond Legacy, and some people who are not members of the Legacy list could also contribute. The people who participate do not need to be programmers (I'm not), but people who are willing to discuss what kinds of software would meet the needs of genealogists, where the gaps are, and how the gaps can be filled. If this message rings any bells with you, then if possible, join soc.genealogy.computing and respond there, or if you really think there is a need for a mailing list on the topic, and I'll start one on YahooGroups. -- Steve Hayes E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://www.geocities.com/hayesstw/stevesig.htm Phone: 083-342-3563 or 012-333-6727 Enter the drawing for a FREE Legacy Cruise to Alaska or a FREE research trip to Salt Lake's Family History Library. Open to users of Legacy 6 Deluxe. Enter online at http://legacyfamilytree.com/FreeTrip.asp Legacy User Group guidelines can be found at: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp To find past messages, please go to our searchable archives at: http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup%40mail.millenniacorp.com/ To unsubscribe please visit: http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/LegacyLists.asp
