Computer, OS, Genealogy Survey

Over at Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter, Dick Eastman is running a survey about what kind of computer and OS genealogists use. Macs are included in the survey, and it’s an interesting survey, because it presents a two-tiered poll in some areas (what’s your primary computer, secondary computer, etc.).

Behind Steve Jobs’ Keynotes

Not exactly genealogy related, but if you are a Mac enthusiast, and you probably are since you’re here, you might find this Guardian.co.uk article very interesting: Behind the magic curtain. It goes into detail on just what happens behind the scenes when Steve Jobs makes his keynotes speeches/presentations at certain events.

He’s the closest thing to a rock star you will find in the world of business.

When Apple announces something new, people pay attention. This is due, in large measure, to Steve and the way he delivers Apple’s messages. His preferred method of making major product announcements is at one of his public presentations, or “keynotes” as they are called inside the company.

Steve starts his preparation for a keynote weeks in advance, reviewing all the products and technologies he might include. Although development and release schedules are set far in advance, he still has to satisfy himself that the chosen products are keynote-ready.

It’s amazing how much preparation goes into each keynote.

Genealogical Computing Magazine and Reunion

Over on ReunionTalk, it was noted by Pete Cook and others that the latest issue of Genealogical Computing Magazine has incorrect and/or older information listed concerning Reunion (in regards to its performance capabilities concerning records and genealogy data).

Genealogical Computing Magazine is a product of Ancestry.com, and appears to be on its way out – they aren’t taking anymore subscriptions, no single issues are available to non-subscribers, and only currently subscribers have access.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays to everybody – things are going to be quiet over the next week – I’ve got a new project I’m working on with a couple of people, and hopefully within a few weeks it will be ready to launch. It’s not a genealogy application (or any kind of application for that matter), but a site that will contribute to genealogy research, and will include Mac users as well (that’s the part I handle). It’s going to be unique, but I can’t say anything else at this time. I also have three reviews of genealogy applications that have been submitted by MG readers that I’m going to format and place online.

If you want to see something interesting (or want to give the kids something interesting to look at), somebody has put together a genealogy/family tree site about Disney cartoon characters. Thanks to RandomGenealogy.com

Online Family Trees – Be Alert

There is a story up on the Deseret News about software that could allow people to generate websites with “fictional” family trees for advertising purposes. Hopefully most people don’t automatically accept what they see on the internet as being fact. The creator of the site has this to say in their defense:

FACT #1 – Fake Family does not create “real” data. Fake family creates FICTIONAL lineages about people who have NEVER LIVED. Outside of a “Fake Family” data set, you should not find any connection with ANYONE in the “real world”.

FACT #2 – The odds of finding a connection is so remote that it makes “fact #1″ moot anyhow. The data on this page is clear and open about what Fake Family does and what your odds are of finding even 1 couple in a Fake Family project that matches anything in ANY family tree in the world.

The Genealogue has covered this, and there is an ongoing discussion at Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter.

Update: There is an article at the Deseret News that further explains this.

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