To whom it may (and does) concern,
Just about a year ago, I stumbled across the most amazing genealogy site. And now,
I am not only using it regularly for my personal research, but also, to help others. I am
not the most significant member of this community so kindly regard, or disregard at your
pleasure.
I am assuming, that somewhere we have exempt organizational status. (i.e. we could
be considered .org?). As County Coordinators, we should know the costs incurred by
maintaining, organizing, and keeping our sites available "freely" to those who
depend on these sites. My concern would be that were we to "break free", (that
may be the wrong wording) we would have to start from ground zero with an awful lot of
what we take for granted because it has always been there for us. The "Powers that
be" have been gracious in their support. However, I understand much more now about
"support" due to having the responsibility of maintaining the infrastructure of
a very large venture. Do we have the capacity of maintaining the costs, as well as
donating all we hold sacred? In all honesty, I can't afford to pay for the privilege
of all
Ancestry.com has to offer, which brings us back to USGenWeb. I can afford the time
I have, and will continue to put into this project. I am
in the process, as we speak, of purchasing the software and expertise to enhance my
county sites (Montana) - which, by the way, are overly lacking at this time. I gave
myself a time line to have these sites up and running - and I am running behind schedule.
Will we have to dig around our own communities for donations to keep us alive?
Well, mayhaps that wouldn't be a bad thing. But, I am not thoroughly convinced that
were we to split up and branch out we could remain the tight community we are. Would we
have to restructure our by-laws and regulations? We are rather protected as we are.
Would we just become another blurb in an endless list of sites in which to choose? Our
sites are well displayed - in part, because of who displays them. In part, because of
long hours and the dedication of our volunteers.
Then, there is the consideration of who "owns" the rights to our
research. Yes, we are the authors of that material - but in the business world - the
normal practice it that "the boss" (they who pay for the means) owns all you do
under the guise of that business. Can our hosts just shut us down? I am very untrusting
of technology and therefore, everything I have submitted "on line", is safely
ensconced in "hard copy" (disk and paper). I will lose none of the information
I have submitted.
I'm going to quit while I feel I'm still ahead. I sincerely hope this
correspondence is not out of line, or tremendously "off topic". I adore this
community of ours, and only wish the best for its continuance. I promise to abide by the
final decisions of those with the authority to make those decisions. Other than this
E-mail, I will now leave it to those more qualified than I. I will keep reading the
discussions - bless you kids for the time and effort you spend.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary E Boyer
Iowa - Marion County - AC
Montana - Musselshell County - CC
Montana - Carbon County - CC
Karen De Groote-Johnson <europatb(a)iowatelecom.net> wrote:
For your information and discussion.
Karen
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [STATE-COORD] Contingency Discussions - re: masthead
negotiation/discussion
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:45:07 -0400
From: Tina S. Vickery
Reply-To: state-coord(a)rootsweb.com
To: , ,
, ,
, ,
In conjunction with the masthead negotiations/discussions, the Board
and I feel that a contingency discussion is also prudent to have.
I offer the below as discussion points only. We welcome
all Project members to express their concerns, opinions and
to ask questions.
Please forward to XXGenWeb Project lists.
Again, below is intended as discussion points *only*. Main
discussion will take place on the -Discuss list.
Subscription information is available at:
http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/USGenWeb/USGENWEB-DISCUSS.html
Please have courtesy and respect for your peers and the
hosts of our mailing lists as we have this discussion.
If you wish to contact Advisory Board members privately
their names and email addresses are available at:
http://www.usgenweb.com/about/advisoryboard.shtml
Tina Vickery
National Coordinator
USGenWeb Project
-----------------
Our USGenWeb Project bylaws state:
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE "Section 1. The USGenWeb Project is an
organized group of volunteers working to create an online
center for genealogical research by linking every county in
the United States. The purpose of this organization shall
be to gather genealogical and historical information for
free online access by researchers". Key phrase being:
"free online access by researchers".
The bylaws make no reference to which server any member or
project of the USGenWeb Project must use. Long set
precedence allows for the use of "server of one's choice."
That choice extends to county, parish, town, special
project, etc., and the USGenWeb National pages.
As a Project, we are at a crossroads. Rootsweb and its
parent company have been a very gracious and accommodating
host for many years. And as a Project we would be remiss
not to appreciate that.
However, some corporate changes and decisions of late have
placed the USGenWeb Project in a tenuous position. We need
to evaluate their business decisions vs. our mission of
providing " ... free online access by researchers."
This is a huge decision and discussion. It is a decision
as to whether or not to stay with our current host. It is
a discussion I feel that must be held in conjunction with
the masthead discussion. It is a discussion and decision
that we must have as the USGenWeb Project community.
The key question for the USGenWeb Project to discuss is:
How important is it that we are seen in the genealogy
community as the "USGenWeb Project .. Land of Free
Genealogy"?
Having answered that question, we need to evaluate many
things. We have three domains: .org, .net and .com
We need to consider hosting, specialized tools [php, db,
etc], maintenance, administration, financing and security,
to name a few. We need to make choices to promote the
growth and future of the USGenWeb Project.
Please understand these concerns are for the *national
pages only*, but I feel a very important discussion to have
with the entire USGenWeb Project membership.
Bottom line is what is best for the USGenWeb Project?
Tina Vickery
National Coordinator
USGenWeb Project
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