Thanks, Polly! Nice job of explaining.
Other manual options are always available. One is to create an alphabatized
surname table on your site that contains links to each query, such as the old
query pages I had on Adams until shortly before I left:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~msadams/surnames/surnames-ab.htm
Another way is to create a separate sub-dir wherein all queries are posted to
html pages via a simple copy/paste. If you then implement a search ap, such as
Free Find, researchers can search the queries just within that directory. Of
the two manual ways, this is probably the easier.
I know it takes a little work to maintain queries manually, but unless you are
constantly swamped with queries, it should only take a few minutes a week. The
benifits of keeping your own queries housed on your own server are great. For
one thing, you don't run the risk of losing them overnight, and no one can come
along and slap a copyright on them, require a password/account to view them,
etc. Actually, the queries themselves are copyrighted by the poster, not by
the CC or by the server that houses them.
Just something to think about...... :-)
Ellen
At 12:34 PM 7/14/2001 -0500, you wrote:
With all of the hoopla concerning GenConnect Boards and the different
types
of Query systems available, I wanted to take just a moment and pass along
some basic information for folks who are considering moving their boards.
WWWBoards or Message Boards
These are message boards that work like GenConnect. They are boards that
you as CCs setup on remote servers and link to the information posted.
Pros: These boards require very little administration from you the CC.
All of you queries are in a central location and can be
search easily by search engines.
Cons: These boards are on remote servers. This means that you actually
do not have direct access to the queries that are posted. Some sites allow
you to administer the board and remove or modify queries; however, the data
is not 'owned' by you.
If the site which houses your board goes away, your
information is gone with the board..So be careful if using this type of
board to select one from a reputable site.
Most of these site have banner ads on them to defray the
costs, this can be annoying at time.
Query Express or MailMerge Boards
These boards work by the user posting a query, you are then sent an E-Mail
with all of the information contained in the query and you cut and paste the
info into your query page.
Pros: You have Complete control of the information.
If the CC changes, the information is contained in the
pages you pass on to your next CC
Cons: More administrative work for you the CC. You must re-upload
your Query pages to post new queries.
Not as easily search-able by search engines (However
Query Express linked with Surname Helper will handle the searches for you.
A little bit harder to setup if you use Query Express
with Surname Helper because you must use the correct URL to allow the search
engine to index your page for searches.
Query Express boards must run on county pages that are
hosted by Rootsweb.
I will be more than happy to offer my assistance if anyone is interested in
moving their boards or would like some additional information on setting up
the type of boards that are available.
I know that some of you have been looking for alternatives, as I have been.
I have also been doing lots of research and testing; hoping to find some way
we could offer some boards to our Mississippi CCs that would be local to at
least the Mississippi homepage for information. I still have a couple of
things to try; however, with server restrictions in place, it is kinda hard
to get something workable that will not cause someone to do lots and lots of
maintenance to the site, since we are all volunteers to this project, I
don't think anyone wants to be spending too much time maintaining their
Queries.
_________________________________
Polly C. Moon
moon5885(a)bellsouth.net
Warren County, Mississippi Genealogy Pages
www.rootsweb.com/~mswarren
Claiborne County, MS Genealogy Pages
www.rootsweb.com/~msclaib2
Rankin County, MS Genealogy Pages
www.rootsweb.com/~msrankin