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Social Networking Technology Resources for Genealogical Societies: Difference between revisions
Social Networking Technology Resources for Genealogical Societies (view source)
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|id=TC091 | |id=TC091 | ||
|presenter=[[User:Tonyhanson|Tony Hanson]] | |presenter=[[User:Tonyhanson|Tony Hanson]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Adoption Dallas Genealogical Society}} | {{Adoption Dallas Genealogical Society}} | ||
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= Rationale = | = Rationale = | ||
Today Genealogical Societies are learning that to survive, or to at least be relevant, they must embrace technology. Many Societies don't have the expertise to set up and manage their own websites. However, having an effective website is the first step. This discussion is for those who have some proficiency with computer technology and want to learn more about how to save their Society money by designing and maintaining the website themselves. All of this technology can be purchased (or found free from a variety of sources) but in doing so the Society gives up some portion of control over content. <br> | Today Genealogical Societies are learning that to survive, or to at least be relevant, they must embrace technology. Many Societies don't have the expertise to set up and manage their own websites. However, having an effective website is the first step. This discussion is for those who have some proficiency with computer technology and want to learn more about how to save their Society money by designing and maintaining the website themselves. All of this technology can be purchased (or found free from a variety of sources) but in doing so the Society gives up some portion of control over content. <br> | ||
= Purpose = | = Purpose = | ||
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As might be expected, a search of the FamilySearch Wiki using terms like Unix, shell, vi and htaccess and other 'technological' terms does not result in too many hits. However, there is a need for a genealogy focused presentation of technical materials for members of Genealogical Societies to use to create and enhance their on-line presence. | As might be expected, a search of the FamilySearch Wiki using terms like Unix, shell, vi and htaccess and other 'technological' terms does not result in too many hits. However, there is a need for a genealogy focused presentation of technical materials for members of Genealogical Societies to use to create and enhance their on-line presence. | ||
This page will serve as a focal point for technological discussions and resources that may be used by Genealogical Societies to create, enhance and maintain their virtual presence.<br> | This page will serve as a focal point for technological discussions and resources that may be used by Genealogical Societies to create, enhance and maintain their virtual presence.<br> | ||
This page was originally created for RootsTech 2011 session TC091 titled 'An Exploration of the Integration of Social Networking Technologies into the Core Activities of Genealogical Societies'. This course was taught by Tony Hanson of the [http://www.dallasgenealogy.net Dallas Genealogical Society]. A PDF formatted version of the presentation can be viewed by [http://dallasgenealogy.org/docs/General/RootsTech_Hanson.pdf clicking here]. | This page was originally created for RootsTech 2011 session TC091 titled 'An Exploration of the Integration of Social Networking Technologies into the Core Activities of Genealogical Societies'. This course was taught by Tony Hanson of the [http://www.dallasgenealogy.net Dallas Genealogical Society]. A PDF formatted version of the presentation can be viewed by [http://dallasgenealogy.org/docs/General/RootsTech_Hanson.pdf clicking here]. | ||
= Working in the Unix environment<br> | = Working in the Unix environment<br> = | ||
Most web hosting services are based on a Unix or Unix-like environment. Knowledge of the areas listed below is not a requirement for you to establish a web presence. However, understanding the underlying technologies will allow you to have much more control over your sites appearance and security. | Most web hosting services are based on a Unix or Unix-like environment. Knowledge of the areas listed below is not a requirement for you to establish a web presence. However, understanding the underlying technologies will allow you to have much more control over your sites appearance and security. | ||
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safe_mode = 0 | safe_mode = 0 | ||
register_globals = 0 | register_globals = 0 | ||
allow_url_fopen = 0</pre> | allow_url_fopen = 0</pre> | ||
This is a deep subject: see the following for more information: | This is a deep subject: see the following for more information: | ||
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cron is a Unix utility that allow you to schedule and run programs (such as backups) on an established schedule. If your Unix system allows you to do so, you could submit an entry that would look like this: | cron is a Unix utility that allow you to schedule and run programs (such as backups) on an established schedule. If your Unix system allows you to do so, you could submit an entry that would look like this: | ||
<pre>00 01 * * 0 /some/dir/my_backups </pre> | <pre>00 01 * * 0 /some/dir/my_backups </pre> | ||
This would tell the system to run the 'my_backups' program located in the /some/dir directory at 1:00 am every Sunday. The meanings of the five fields are provided below. | This would tell the system to run the 'my_backups' program located in the /some/dir directory at 1:00 am every Sunday. The meanings of the five fields are provided below. | ||
<pre>* * * * * | <pre>* * * * * | ||
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| | +--------- day of month (1 - 31) | | | +--------- day of month (1 - 31) | ||
| +----------- hour (0 - 23) | | +----------- hour (0 - 23) | ||
+------------- min (0 - 59)</pre> | +------------- min (0 - 59)</pre> | ||
Note that an asterick will be interpreted as every day of week/month/day/hour/minute. You can also have several entries seperated by commas. In the following example my_logs would be run at 1:05 pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. | Note that an asterick will be interpreted as every day of week/month/day/hour/minute. You can also have several entries seperated by commas. In the following example my_logs would be run at 1:05 pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. | ||
<pre>05 13 * * 1,3,5 /some/dir/my_logs</pre> | <pre>05 13 * * 1,3,5 /some/dir/my_logs</pre> | ||
If you are lucky your hosting service will provide a GUI interface that makes entering and managing entries a little easier. | If you are lucky your hosting service will provide a GUI interface that makes entering and managing entries a little easier. | ||
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<pre>cd /my/system/public_html | <pre>cd /my/system/public_html | ||
tar --create --gzip --file="Documents_01Jan2011" Documents</pre> | tar --create --gzip --file="Documents_01Jan2011" Documents</pre> | ||
These commands would create a zipped file with the named "Documents_01Jan2011" which would contain all files and directories contained in the /my/system/public_html/Documents directory.<br> | These commands would create a zipped file with the named "Documents_01Jan2011" which would contain all files and directories contained in the /my/system/public_html/Documents directory.<br> | ||
It is common to group a series of backup commands into a batch file and to schedule that batch file to be run in cron. | It is common to group a series of backup commands into a batch file and to schedule that batch file to be run in cron. | ||
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cd /home8/dallasge/public_html | cd /home8/dallasge/public_html | ||
FILENAME=$BUD"/"$DAT_TIM"_public_html_Production.tar.gz" | FILENAME=$BUD"/"$DAT_TIM"_public_html_Production.tar.gz" | ||
tar --create --gzip --file=$FILENAME Production</pre> | tar --create --gzip --file=$FILENAME Production</pre> | ||
After creating and saving this file (say, for example, in a file named DailyBackups) you would tell the shell that it was an executable program my changing the file attributes using the chmod command: | After creating and saving this file (say, for example, in a file named DailyBackups) you would tell the shell that it was an executable program my changing the file attributes using the chmod command: | ||
<pre>chmod +x DailyBackups</pre> | <pre>chmod +x DailyBackups</pre> | ||
You could then run the file by typing this at the shell prompt (from the same directory): | You could then run the file by typing this at the shell prompt (from the same directory): | ||
<pre>DailyBackups</pre> | <pre>DailyBackups</pre> | ||
This would tell the system to run your shell and create a backup file named 29_Jan_2011_01_30_02_public_html_Production.tar.gz | This would tell the system to run your shell and create a backup file named 29_Jan_2011_01_30_02_public_html_Production.tar.gz | ||
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= Google Analytics = | = Google Analytics = | ||
[http://www.google.com/analytics/#utm_campaign=en_us&utm_source=en-ha-na Google Analytics] is a powerful and free resource that allows you to track and analyze the utilization of your web site. You need to log in and register your site: when you do you will be provided with some HTML code to copy and paste into the appropriate place on your web site. Once you do, Google Analytics will start tracking usage of your web site and will provide you with a wide variety of reports on their site.<br> | [http://www.google.com/analytics/#utm_campaign=en_us&utm_source=en-ha-na Google Analytics] is a powerful and free resource that allows you to track and analyze the utilization of your web site. You need to log in and register your site: when you do you will be provided with some HTML code to copy and paste into the appropriate place on your web site. Once you do, Google Analytics will start tracking usage of your web site and will provide you with a wide variety of reports on their site.<br> | ||
= Content Management Software<br> | = Content Management Software<br> = | ||
As the name implies, a Content Management Software (CMS) package provides a framework that is used to create the web site. Once the initial structure is created this allows users to focus on the content rather than on the mechanics of presenting the information. This has several advantages: | As the name implies, a Content Management Software (CMS) package provides a framework that is used to create the web site. Once the initial structure is created this allows users to focus on the content rather than on the mechanics of presenting the information. This has several advantages: | ||
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= Wiki's = | = Wiki's = | ||
A wiki is nothing more than a web page that can be modified by anybody who can view it. This page is a wiki: register with Family Search, click on the ''''Edit This Page' '''button at the top of your screen and you can change this page! <br> | A wiki is nothing more than a web page that can be modified by anybody who can view it. This page is a wiki: register with Family Search, click on the ''''Edit This Page' '''button at the top of your screen and you can change this page! <br> | ||
Obviously there is a lot more that that to know... one place to start is this [http://www.dallasgenealogy.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=264&Itemid=204 Wiki Overview] page. | Obviously there is a lot more that that to know... one place to start is this [http://www.dallasgenealogy.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=264&Itemid=204 Wiki Overview] page. | ||
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== Popular Wiki's == | == Popular Wiki's == | ||
=== MediaWiki === | === [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki MediaWiki] === | ||
* | *What Wikipedia uses... | ||
=== WikkaWiki === | === [http://docs.wikkawiki.org/HomePage WikkaWiki] === | ||
* | *While the idea of a Wiki is to allow others to edit the content, sometimes it is desirable to restrict the ability to change content to a designated group of people. That can be difficult in some Wiki software but it is one of the strengths of WikkaWiki. A page can be viewable to anybody or it can be restricted to registered users. In addition, the ability to modify a given page can be restricted. | ||
=== PmWiki === | === [http://www.pmwiki.org/ PmWiki] === | ||
=== [http://www.dokuwiki.org/dokuwiki DokuWiki] === | |||
= Blogs = | = Blogs = | ||
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= 'Back End' Services = | = 'Back End' Services = | ||
Some aspects of running a society may be too important or too complicated for home grown solutions... There are alternatives focused on the not for profit organization.<br> | Some aspects of running a society may be too important or too complicated for home grown solutions... There are alternatives focused on the not for profit organization.<br> | ||
== Neon == | == Neon == | ||
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== Vertical Response (VR) == | == Vertical Response (VR) == | ||
*Vertical Response is an e-mail marketing solution for small businesses and non-profit organizations. While there is a charge for businesses, [http://www.verticalresponse.com/pricing/non-profit/ non-profit organizations] with 501(c)(3) status may send 10,000 e-mails per month free and receive a 15% discount on surveys and printed postcards.<br> | *Vertical Response is an e-mail marketing solution for small businesses and non-profit organizations. While there is a charge for businesses, [http://www.verticalresponse.com/pricing/non-profit/ non-profit organizations] with 501(c)(3) status may send 10,000 e-mails per month free and receive a 15% discount on surveys and printed postcards.<br> | ||
*VR is dedicated to the reduction of spam. E-mail lists may not be harvested from other sites. The list must be those that "opt-in" to receive e-mails. The system checks the outbound e-mails for previous bounces and unsubscribed e-mail addresses. | *VR is dedicated to the reduction of spam. E-mail lists may not be harvested from other sites. The list must be those that "opt-in" to receive e-mails. The system checks the outbound e-mails for previous bounces and unsubscribed e-mail addresses. | ||
*Over 500 templates are provided to assist in the design of attractive e-mails or e-newsletters. It is also possible to design your own. E-mails or e-newsletters can be linked to an organization's Facebook and Twitter.<br><br> | *Over 500 templates are provided to assist in the design of attractive e-mails or e-newsletters. It is also possible to design your own. E-mails or e-newsletters can be linked to an organization's Facebook and Twitter.<br><br> | ||
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== EasyNetSites == | == EasyNetSites == | ||
This commercial service was developed specifically to support Genealogical Societies. Details are available at [http://easynetsites.com easynetsites.com<u>. <br></u>] | This commercial service was developed specifically to support Genealogical Societies. Details are available at [http://easynetsites.com easynetsites.com<u>. <br></u>] | ||
= Related Articles = | = Related Articles = | ||