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Was I the only one who wasn't aware of the IDGenweb
archives files being removed?
I hadn't heard about it from this list, that I remember?
What is the story?
=====
Also in other issues, I would like to see the main
IDGenweb page go back to using the ID map again,
as well as the logo. In other words, the new logo is
great, but I would rather see it used as a logo, than
replace the map of Idaho that used to be there.
At the very least, let's make a prominent link to
a page that has that map on it. I think that was a
very useful tool that we have now eliminated.
thanks,
Kim Harris Myers
estral(a)switchboard.net
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nygenweb NYGenweb Coordinator
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nycattar Cattaraugus Co, NY
http://www.rootsweb.com/~idlemhi Lemhi Co, Idaho
Hello everyone,
Included in this mailing are all Idaho county coordinators, contributors to the IDGenWeb
archives, the national archives coordinator, and Jerry Dill.
This latest mess has gotten WAY out of hand and I believe it is something we can solve if
we can discuss it calmly.
A few weeks ago, when Jerry Dill asked archive contributors for their opinions about
sharing our work with the Idaho Genealogical Society, many expressed their concern. It
was that concern which prompted Jerry to remove the Archives from Rootsweb when he
learned that a division of Broderbund had become a corporate sponsor of Rootsweb.
We should have had this discussion at that time. [If some stupid man hadn't set fire to a
power pole a mile upline from me just then leaving me sitting in the dark :-( ] Later, I
told Jerry I was concerned that patrons and others wouldn't be able to find the files.
So, he uploaded them to a web server and told us where they were.
Jerry has since been removed as the Idaho archive coordinator by the national archive
coordinator and will be unable to reload the files to the Rootsweb server even if that is
the decision of this group. Someone I've never heard of, who has not contacted the
volunteers of this state, has now made a new page at the old site. (With the Rootsweb
corporate logo at the bottom.)
It is my opinion this is much ado about not very much, if I may mangle cousin Will's
words. The copyrights of the individual files in the archives are owned by the
contributors, not by The USGenWeb Project, or the IDGenWeb Project, or the
Archives, or Rootsweb, or Jerry, or me. No one can use them for profit without the
owners' permission. Even if the files were not copyrighted, I firmly believe neither
Brian Leverich nor Jerry Dill would ever try to steal them and the archives are safe on
servers owned by either man.
I do have a couple of questions. Is there a rule that all state archives must be
housed in one location? And most important, what do the contributors and county
coordinators of this state want to happen to our archives?
Elaine Johnson
Idaho Coordinator, The USGenWeb Project
http://www.rootsweb.com/~idgenweb/
Hi Elaine and all,
<<It
was that concern which prompted Jerry to remove the Archives from
Rootsweb when he
learned that a division of Broderbund had become a corporate sponsor of
Rootsweb.>>
Broderbund has nothing to do with this whole situation. The agreement in
discussion was between Rootsweb and Palladium; not Rootsweb and The
USGenWeb Project; not Palladium and The USGenWeb Project.
The USGenWeb Project Archives (Digital Library) and Rootsweb are not the
same, and no agreement Rootsweb signs with any company will affect the
Archives. The Archives will, however, benefit if that agreement means
Rootsweb can buy even more equipment to provide the free space for the
Archives.
<<I do have a couple of questions. Is there a rule that all state
archives must be
housed in one location? >>
There is no such rule. KSGenWeb has an established Archives, and uses
both the USGenWeb Archives and their site at Skyways in Kansas. The
advantage in having the USGenWeb Archives in one location is for the
search engine, and for the benefit of researchers.. making it easier for
them to navigate and find valuable transcribed data. Another reason for
having them all together is for any future moves the Archives might
make. We don't know where we will be or where Rootsweb will be in 5, 10,
25 years from now. Hopefully, The USGenWeb Project will still be the
great genealogy tool that it has become today, in just two years of its
existance. If the USGenWeb Archives were scattered all over the
Internet, on various servers for each state, it would be very difficult
to keep them organized if we had to change servers.
The USGenWeb Archives operate under strict guidelines, moreso than the
loosely connected websites of XXGenWeb's. Where there are few rules for
county coordinators, the Archives have stricter rules that the file
managers must follow, as well as file submitters.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/timetodo.htm
Every file manager, before they are given the "keys" to the Archives for
uploading and maintaining their state or county directory, are required
to read those guidelines and agree to follow them. They are also
required to place a "USGenWeb Notice" on each text file that is
uploaded. This "notice" is for the protection of the file submitter, who
retains ownership of their file, and to prevent any commercial entity
from using the files for profit.
If anyone has any questions about the Archives policy, please feel free
to ask me. We are within a couple days of announcing the new faster
search engine, which will be updated on a daily basis. If a file is
uploaded to the USGenWeb Archives on Monday, the file can be found by
the search engine on Tuesday. This has been my personal goal for the
USGenWeb Archives since it was established in July 1996. What a
wonderful tool for genealogists!
In the whole Archives planning and organization, I have acted as the
"end user", a amateur researcher with an addictive hobby, who wants to
make research as easy as possible. :)
While I have everyone's attention, please visit the USGenWeb Archives
Census Project pages:
http://www.usgenweb.org/census
We are making great progress in getting transcribed census records
online for researchers. Pam Reid has also done wonders with the USGenWeb
Tombstone Transcription Project, and has recruited volunteers across the
country to record tombstone incriptions and place those files in the
USGenWeb Archives.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/
Thanks,
Linda
(Nat. Coord. USGenWeb Archives)
------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
From: kmfkm(a)ptw.com
To: elaine(a)ida.net
Date: Thu, 7 May 1998 13:30:42 +0000
Subject: USGenWeb Census Project
Priority: normal
I thought that I would drop you a line to let you know that I am
replacing Kevin Fraley as the Census Project State Coordinator for
Idaho. I would appreciate it if you would pass this information
along to your coordinators.
I am looking forward to working with you,
Kay Mason
National Coordinator
USGenWeb Census Project
http://www.usgenweb.org/censushttp://www.usgenweb.net/census
Kansas Unknown Counties
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/kansas/genweb/unknown
Elaine Johnson
Idaho Coordinator, The USGenWeb Project
http://www.rootsweb.com/~idgenweb/