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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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, 22 January 2012Added link to re-recording of the original 2011 RootsTech Presentation
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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]. A re-recording of the presentation made after the conference can be seen and heard by [http://www.dallasgenealogy.org/DGS_Docs/Flash_Presentations/Institutes_Seminars/Tony_Rootstech_2011/RootsTech%202011.html 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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= Wikis = | = Wikis = | ||
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. | ||
== Popular Wikis == | == Popular Wikis == | ||
A number of wikis exist on just about any subject as well as general purpose wikis like Wikipedia. | A number of wikis exist on just about any subject as well as general purpose wikis like Wikipedia. Some family history and genealogy wikis exist such as this one, WeRelate, Geneawiki (on wikia.com), Biographical Wiki, and several others. | ||
== Wiki Software == | == Wiki Software == | ||
=== [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki MediaWiki] === | === [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki MediaWiki] === | ||
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=== [http://wordpress.org/ WordPress] === | === [http://wordpress.org/ WordPress] === | ||
Free open-sourse website development (& blogging) software. Can create a site for free at Wordpress.com or install on your own server (or a web hosting service). <br> | Free open-sourse website development (& blogging) software. Can create a site for free at Wordpress.com or install on your own server (or a web hosting service). <br> | ||
Useful links include: | Useful links include: | ||
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== Related pages on Family Search == | == Related pages on Family Search == | ||
[[Blog Your Way to Genealogical Success]]<br> | [[Blog Your Way to Genealogical Success]]<br> | ||
= Facebook = | = Facebook = | ||
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There are many features on a 'fan page'. You can set up discussions, get news of events or other news about your society out, and do a lot more. For example, FamilySearch has a Facebook fan page, it can be found at [http://www.facebook.com/familysearch http://www.facebook.com/familysearch] | There are many features on a 'fan page'. You can set up discussions, get news of events or other news about your society out, and do a lot more. For example, FamilySearch has a Facebook fan page, it can be found at [http://www.facebook.com/familysearch http://www.facebook.com/familysearch] | ||
= Youtube = | = Youtube = | ||
Youtube is a site that has revolutionized the way people use the Internet to share short videos about just about anything. | Youtube is a site that has revolutionized the way people use the Internet to share short videos about just about anything. Before 2008, most of the videos were mostly just things people shot and because they knew about the site they put it up there. But since 2008 many more more useful things have been added, and it has become a way to store and share informational and educational videos about almost anything. Presently over 2 billion videos are viewed daily, and every minute the equivalent of 24 hours of new video is uploaded to Youtube. | ||
Genealogy and family history is no exeeption. | Genealogy and family history is no exeeption. There is a growing volume of video content about family history, and how to do things like researching family history, do indexing (part of FamilySearch), and even one or two at present on using this very wiki that you are reading this in. Youtube is at http://www.youtube.com/ | ||
= Twitter = | = Twitter = | ||
[http://twitter.com/ Twitter ]is a service where you type short messages, called 'tweets' to broadcast a message about something you want others to know about. Your message must be 140 characters or less. Interestingly, that number comes from the days people used to use the telegraph to send messages quickly to each other, as that was the same maximum number of characters that could be sent by the telegraph operator in a single message. | [http://twitter.com/ Twitter ]is a service where you type short messages, called 'tweets' to broadcast a message about something you want others to know about. Your message must be 140 characters or less. Interestingly, that number comes from the days people used to use the telegraph to send messages quickly to each other, as that was the same maximum number of characters that could be sent by the telegraph operator in a single message. | ||
It is becoming more and more widely used for almost every purpose and now has come into its own as a way to send messages quickly. In fact, NASA's astronauts aboard the International Space Station have Twitter accounts, so anyone can interact with them throguh Twitter, even while they are on board the station. | It is becoming more and more widely used for almost every purpose and now has come into its own as a way to send messages quickly. In fact, NASA's astronauts aboard the International Space Station have Twitter accounts, so anyone can interact with them throguh Twitter, even while they are on board the station. | ||
For family history and genealogy, societies can set up Twitter accounts to send out quick notes about upcoming events and other matters. Your members and others can follow you in the same fashion they do Facebook pages. | For family history and genealogy, societies can set up Twitter accounts to send out quick notes about upcoming events and other matters. Your members and others can follow you in the same fashion they do Facebook pages. | ||
A popular way of organizing messages on Twitter is to place a 'hashtag' in the message. A hashtag is called that because it begins with the # symbol, known by some as the pound symbol but that symbol is used because it is also called the 'hash' symbol. The hashtag can be any word in the message, and makes it searchable on hashtag aggregator sites like [http://www.twubs.com/ http://www.twubs.com/] and others in the link in the next paragraph. You can have more than one hashtag in a tweet. | A popular way of organizing messages on Twitter is to place a 'hashtag' in the message. A hashtag is called that because it begins with the # symbol, known by some as the pound symbol but that symbol is used because it is also called the 'hash' symbol. The hashtag can be any word in the message, and makes it searchable on hashtag aggregator sites like [http://www.twubs.com/ http://www.twubs.com/] and others in the link in the next paragraph. You can have more than one hashtag in a tweet. | ||
See [http://www.contentious.com/2009/03/08/hashtags-on-twitter-how-do-you-follow-=them Hashtags on Twitter: How do you follow them] on contentious.com for more information | See [http://www.contentious.com/2009/03/08/hashtags-on-twitter-how-do-you-follow-=them Hashtags on Twitter: How do you follow them] on contentious.com for more information | ||
= Flickr = | = Flickr = | ||
[http://www.flickr.com/ Flickr] is a web site for pictures and images. Currently run by Yahoo, it is a great respository for photos and images a person has taken or owns that can be made available for people to find, and use. Google indexes a great majority of the images so they can be found easily in a Google search. You can retain copyright, or if you wish you can put images into Creative Commons, which means they can be used on other sites by others. There are some Creative Commons images from a few Flickr users in this wiki as a result, for example. | [http://www.flickr.com/ Flickr] is a web site for pictures and images. Currently run by Yahoo, it is a great respository for photos and images a person has taken or owns that can be made available for people to find, and use. Google indexes a great majority of the images so they can be found easily in a Google search. You can retain copyright, or if you wish you can put images into Creative Commons, which means they can be used on other sites by others. There are some Creative Commons images from a few Flickr users in this wiki as a result, for example. | ||
= Podcasts = | = Podcasts = | ||
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== [http://www.authorgen.com/authorpoint/index.htm authorgen] == | == [http://www.authorgen.com/authorpoint/index.htm authorgen] == | ||
This is one option that works fairly well. It can present the slide titles on the left hand side of the screen so they can be used to navigate to each slide in the presentation. It is best to keep custom animations to a minimum in the free version as they sometimes cause lengthy delays in the presentation. | This is one option that works fairly well. It can present the slide titles on the left hand side of the screen so they can be used to navigate to each slide in the presentation. It is best to keep custom animations to a minimum in the free version as they sometimes cause lengthy delays in the presentation. | ||
== [http://www.ispringsolutions.com/free_powerpoint_to_flash_converter.html iSpring] == | == [http://www.ispringsolutions.com/free_powerpoint_to_flash_converter.html iSpring] == | ||
They allow Not-For-Profit organizations to have free use of their product. It appears to handle animations very well. | They allow Not-For-Profit organizations to have free use of their product. It appears to handle animations very well. | ||
== [http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia Camtasia] == | == [http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia Camtasia] == | ||
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A not so free option that is widely used... it allows you to record every screen and mouse movement. They offer a free trial and a modest discount to not for profit organizations. | A not so free option that is widely used... it allows you to record every screen and mouse movement. They offer a free trial and a modest discount to not for profit organizations. | ||
== [http://www.techsmith.com/jing/ Jing] == | == [http://www.techsmith.com/jing/ Jing] == | ||
This is a free tool that will allow you to capture on-screen content to create presentations up to 5 minutes in length. | This is a free tool that will allow you to capture on-screen content to create presentations up to 5 minutes in length. | ||
= Personal Digital Archiving = | = Personal Digital Archiving = | ||
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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 = | ||