The Latest Technology for Genealogists B y Dick Eastman

Today’s Slides May Be Found At http://www.eogn.com/handouts/latesttechnology

http://www.eogn.com/handouts/latesttechnology

Today’s Topics Hardware Improvements ‘ Internet Everywhere’ Online Databases Public Databases Private Databases stored online Digital Data Preservation

Hardware Improvements

‘ Internet Everywhere’

Online Databases

Public Databases

Private Databases stored online

Digital Data Preservation

Hardware Improvements The personal computer is becoming smaller, lighter, cheaper, faster, and more powerful than ever before. Of course, that isn’t new. That has been true for more than 30 years!

The personal computer is becoming smaller, lighter, cheaper, faster, and more powerful than ever before.

Of course, that isn’t new. That has been true for more than 30 years!

Desktop and Traditional Laptops Desktop Systems are now available for less than $500. Laptops may be available for under $500 although better systems typically cost $700 to $2,000.

Desktop Systems are now available for less than $500.

Laptops may be available for under $500 although better systems typically cost $700 to $2,000.

Smaller Systems The big news is in smaller systems, such as the Asus EEE:

The big news is in smaller systems, such as the Asus EEE:

Smaller Systems

Smaller Systems Roughly 2 pounds. Fits in a purse or overcoat pocket. $299 at Target. A nd, if that is too big …

Roughly 2 pounds.

Fits in a purse or overcoat pocket.

$299 at Target.

A nd, if that is too big …

Nokia N810

Nokia N810 and Asus EEE

Smaller Systems These are but examples of small and convenient systems now available. More will appear within the next few years. But why would a genealogist want to use such systems? Let’s talk about ‘Internet EVERYWHERE’ and also about centralized databases.

These are but examples of small and convenient systems now available. More will appear within the next few years.

But why would a genealogist want to use such systems?

Let’s talk about ‘Internet EVERYWHERE’ and also about centralized databases.

Internet Everywhere The genealogist is no longer tied to a computer on a desktop when searching for new information or for recording information found. Wireless networks are becoming popular EVERYWHERE. There are two types of wireless networks: wi-fi and cellular (EV-DO and EDGE).

The genealogist is no longer tied to a computer on a desktop when searching for new information or for recording information found.

Wireless networks are becoming popular EVERYWHERE.

There are two types of wireless networks: wi-fi and cellular (EV-DO and EDGE).

Wi-Fi Networks Very high speed Very short range (Typically 100 to 200 feet from the hot spot) Prices vary from free to $15.00 per day or even more

Very high speed

Very short range (Typically 100 to 200 feet from the hot spot)

Prices vary from free to $15.00 per day or even more

Cellular Networks Moderate speed (typically about the same as DSL) Wider range (Typically 3 to 10 miles from the cell tower) Prices vary from $40 to $60 per month Prices are dropping

Moderate speed (typically about the same as DSL)

Wider range (Typically 3 to 10 miles from the cell tower)

Prices vary from $40 to $60 per month

Prices are dropping

The explosion of available online data Private databases The Next Generation PhpGedView PedigreeSoft Public databases New FamilySearch

Private databases

The Next Generation

PhpGedView

PedigreeSoft

Public databases

New FamilySearch

Internet Everywhere’ and Online Databases With today’s networks and today’s smaller devices, you can access your data wherever you are: at home, in a library, on the commuter train, almost anywhere.

With today’s networks and today’s smaller devices, you can access your data wherever you are: at home, in a library, on the commuter train, almost anywhere.

Internet Everywhere’ and Online Databases Question: Who owns the data?

Question:

Who owns the data?

Digital Data Preservation A common claim: floppy disks, CD-ROM disks, magnetic media, and other forms of digital storage all have limited lifespans so the only method of storing data for long-term preservation is to print everything on paper. Wrong!

A common claim:

floppy disks, CD-ROM disks, magnetic media, and other forms of digital storage all have limited lifespans so the only method of storing data for long-term preservation is to print everything on paper.

Wrong!

Digital Data Preservation For the past few decades, the preferred method of making archival copies of information has been by means of microfiche and microfilm. Indeed, most long-time genealogists have cranked through miles of microfilm. However, microfiche/microfilm is a dying industry and will probably disappear within a decade or two.

For the past few decades, the preferred method of making archival copies of information has been by means of microfiche and microfilm. Indeed, most long-time genealogists have cranked through miles of microfilm. However, microfiche/microfilm is a dying industry and will probably disappear within a decade or two.

Digital Data Preservation Very few companies produce microfilm cameras today. All the major manufacturers of twenty years ago have dropped these cameras from their product lines simply because of shrinking sales. New unexposed microfilm is almost impossible to purchase nowadays.

Very few companies produce microfilm cameras today. All the major manufacturers of twenty years ago have dropped these cameras from their product lines simply because of shrinking sales.

New unexposed microfilm is almost impossible to purchase nowadays.

Digital Data Preservation Almost all past users of microfilm have now switched to digital image storage. What should genealogists do? Go digital!

Almost all past users of microfilm have now switched to digital image storage.

What should genealogists do?

Go digital!

Digital Data Preservation In fact, preserving digital data is easy to do. All major data processing shops have been doing it for decades: U.S. government Insurance companies Medical facilities Manufacturers

In fact, preserving digital data is easy to do. All major data processing shops have been doing it for decades:

U.S. government

Insurance companies

Medical facilities

Manufacturers

Digital Data Preservation The secret is: Multiple copies for backup purposes Periodic data maintenance and copying to current media

The secret is:

Multiple copies for backup purposes

Periodic data maintenance and copying to current media

Digital Data Preservation Genealogists can do the same!

Genealogists can do the same!

Technology for Genealogists With some planning, genealogists can remain up-to-date, using the latest technology to preserve and expand their data.

With some planning, genealogists can remain up-to-date, using the latest technology to preserve and expand their data.

Technology for Genealogists Stay tuned to http://www.eogn.com

Stay tuned to http://www.eogn.com

Today’s Slides May Be Found At http://www.eogn.com/handouts/latesttechnology

http://www.eogn.com/handouts/latesttechnology