I've been away for a week, so am just now getting caught up with the "new
board", etc. As has already been said on this list, the CC can use any
kind of Query Board they wish to, and Ray has already very kindly walked
people through the Query Express.
I'm going to opt to use the "new" boards....and have adapted the Query
Puzzle piece (** a new logo is being developed, so this is just
temporary), and I used the other slots on my "table" to give some
explanations.
I think the important thing is that we do try to provide people coming to
our County Pages some way to post Queries.
Incidentally, IF you have not "claimed" your boards, and wish to do so, the
"letter" with the urls will no longer take you to your boards. Donna has
created a helpful page which takes you to the Georgia
links...http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ga/county/forsyth/genconnect.html
. and I'll be happy to walk you through the steps (with the very tiny bit
of experience that I have gained today!) I have found the mailing support
list to be very helpful. I joined in Digest....
BOARDS-ADMINS-D-request(a)rootsweb.com
The purpose of this note to you is to share a note that I just sent out to
my Taylor County folks to let them know about the Boards, etc. I don't
intend to start a new chain of "pros and cons" about these
Boards.....you're all entitled to your opinions...but I just wanted to be
some help...
=====
We now have NEW Query Boards for Taylor County!
This is a BIG change.....so please bear with us as we all work together to
learn about these Boards. Remember that the first time is always the most
confusing..... Here's some tips that I've picked up. Please feel free to
share an experiences that you have.
GOOD NEWS
1. ALL the messages from all the Boards are now combined into ONE Location.
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=board&r=rw&p=localities.nor...
ates.georgia.counties.taylor
**If the URL doesn't come through because it is soooo long, you can get to
the Boards from the Taylor County main page.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~gataylor/gataylor.htm
2. LOG - IN
You can READ all the messages....BUT if you want to post your own message
it will be necessary for you to Log-In. If you have ever taken advantage of
the
Ancestry.com "free" offers, you may already have a name and password.
If you do, (and if you remember it), use it.
If not....then you'll need to "sign-up" as a new user.
WHEN you sign up, use the name you want to appear on your messages. Some
people have complained because they wanted a maiden name to appear. That's
fine, but you'll need to use the exact name when you "sign-up".
3. Looking ONLY at Obits
Yes, once you are on the page, you can narrow your search to a specific
type of message.
Just above the messages: "View Message Type". Use the "dialog box".
You'll notice that there are now LOTS of new categories, i.e. marriages,
military, etc.
4. ADD Board to Favorites
The first time you arrive at the board, click on "Add Board to Favorites".
That will add the Taylor County Board to your list of Favorites.
Then the next time you want to look at messages, just click on "My
Favorites" which is a choice at the top of the page, and you can quickly
go between County Boards.
In other words, your "bookmarks" for the various State or County or Surname
Boards will be handy.
5. Messages coming through the Lists.
I understand that the messages that are posted will continue to come
through the Taylor County Mailing List. We've not had any NEW messages
posted to try this out (I don't think).
6. Be patient! Remember this is very new and they're still trying to
improve things and make it all easier.
The BIG advantage for all of us is that we will have access to Ancestry
Boards (when people write messages from their site) as well as all the
ones that we have had already in Gen Connect Boards at Rootsweb.
7. Who owns the messages?
The same policy applies as before. The contributor is the owner of the
message. Ancestry, just like Rootsweb, has pledged that all the messages
will always remain "free", and will never be sold.
I trust them and have never known of any instance where this has been abused.
I welcome your input and if I can help anyone individually....just write...
Virginia