Sorry, but I can't see it as a take-over by Rootsweb. So what if rootsweb
has made pages with links to "cluster" resources for US counties,
incorporating the county sites already hosted on rootsweb. They haven't
done anything that others haven't already done. They have simply put up
links the same as Cyndis list has links to the same states and counties on
her pages. See
http://www.cyndislist.com/genweb.htm
http://www.cyndislist.com/genweb.htm#USGenWeb
http://www.cyndislist.com/genweb.htm#Misc
Cyndis List is not the only one who has links to USGenWeb, there are plenty
others too.
(sorry Cyndi, you were just a convenient example. no intention to throw mud
here)
They are not claiming anywhere that USGenWeb is owned by them.
It says, "US County Resources at RootsWeb".
not "US County Resources Owned BY RootsWeb" or USGenWeb Resources Owned by
Rootsweb.
Its their server, so they should be able to list everything they have on
their server.
All these resources, mail lists, genconnect boards, etc...were already
being used by a lot of the USGenWeb Project CC's and States. Now we have
some new ones if we want them, such as guest books and calendars.
I don't know what rootsweb plans for those counties not on rootsweb for
which they have set up sites, mailing list, genconnect boards, etc. but
they are offering them to the USGenWeb Project CC's first.
I do know that all of the counties I am CC for in the USGenWeb Project,
have workable links to all of the resources that were already set up and I
was the one who requested them from rootsweb in the first place. I also
sent in requests for those same counties to be listed on their new
resources page. The way I knew about the resources page earlier than
Brian's first message was because I have surname clusters on genconnect. It
was announced to the owners of the surname boards first. No way was it
hidden, just gradually implemented, surnames then counties.
I think that rootsweb should clarify
1. IF this is their new genealogy project or simply a new TOC with a new
way of sorting the thru the resources on the rootsweb servers.
2. If a USGenWeb county host decides they don't want to be listed on this
new counties resource page, if their county link can be removed.
3. We already know that present USGenWeb Project county hosts can have
their counties listed on this new resource page, so that is not an issue.
The only issue is what happens later if we don't ask for them now and
someone else takes them first. Will they list them all and under what
heading? A USGenWeb Project county and XX Rootsweb county?
If the USGenWeb Project was housed on another server, it would be limited
to the resources provided by that server. And some servers, don't even let
you have a cgi-bin, much less the types of goodies that rootsweb has
provided. And you most likely would have to pay for them out of your own
pockets. The decision to move our USGenWeb Project sites is our decision.
Rootsweb can still have their own project/TOC/Resources page with county
sites and archives sites and with all the resources they provide them. Even
with the USGenWeb Project moving everything from Rootsweb it may set them
back for awhile, but do we really need to move the USGenWeb Project? I
don't see any claims to our data.
My feelings are not set in stone. Right now, I don't see anything that
conveniences me of a "takeover plot". I think it is just a list of links to
what is on their server with their resources and we should take advantage
of it.
If you made it all the way through this, I hope I said it so it's
understandable. I feel they have the right to list what they have, design
any pages they want to, because they have to find some way to support
themselves and stay online. If they link to the USGenWeb Project, it won't
be the death or takeover of our project. Rootsweb has given us a lot to
use. Ultimately, we are still in control of our data, with the ability to
move elsewhere if we care to.
Debbie Fowler
CC Burke, Lincoln, Rutherford NCGenWeb counties
NCGenWeb Military Project Coordinator
ASC NCGenWeb