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