The Genealogy & Family History Social Network
Gimme some Aretha, SVP! Need a dose of R-E-S-P-E-C-T for our questions and suggestions.
Family historians so appreciate organization and detail. We just love a good source. Many strive to master both the question and the suggestion. Perhaps more than anything, we like answers and tend to be a persistent problem solvers.
While it’s not intended to have been an exhaustive search (couldn’t resist), a list the follows that highlights our collaborative effort to raise issues and seek answers. I believe the list shows that we’ve tried to help FL spot possible problems early. Ditto, that we’ve been patient and are trying to use temporary workarounds.
While FL has commented politely on a some of the issues we’ve raised, many haven’t been address. I know I’m still receiving a “large” number of emails every day. Ditto, I’m still looking for that oh so helpful and oh so needed first group of FAQ’s. I also wonder, if FL couldn’t yet allow us to categorize the groups, why didn’t they work to manage the “million surname march” just a little?
While I appreciate FL’s mostly polite/courteous approach to communicating about the issues, I’d like a little “Aretha.” Please FamilyLink, let’s raise the bar in our communications. How about some straight talk. I’m hoping for more and better information. Pretty please. --GJ
DearMYRTLE began a blog on 8 July, “THINGS you wish GenealogyWise could do. “As of this morning, there have been 99 replies on that discussion; believe my first was dtd the 9th. On the 12th Debbie Jackson started a forum discussion, “Answers to What I wish GenealogyWise Could Do Forum-By Debbie Jackson.” (The last “answers” seem to be the same day. It included the comment, “I am working on a Welcome Center that includes a FAQ-Help page, and hopefully I will have that done and up in the next couple days.”) Debbie addressed the need to categorize the groups and reported the programmers were working on it. She also mentioned an awareness of the “too many emails” problem. She thanked us for being, “sweet, and understanding.”
On the 8th, Patti Wilcox, in the forum, wanted to know “Who monitors spelling for board titles?”
On the 10th, I went to the chat room, so hoping I’d find it monitored by someone from FL who could answer my questions. When no one seemed home, I started the topic, “GW: How do I in “Genealogist connection.” I asked about sending links, wanted to know how the chat room was supposed to work, whether or not we needed to monitor files uploaded to the site for copyright, etc. I wanted to know if there was a way to add a forum category “GenealogyWise, so we could log inquiries.
Also on the 10th, Ken Meske wanted to learn more about how to invite friends. His forum discussion, “Invite Friends.” The same day, Randy C began another thread with the comment, “There doesn’t seem to be a “help” button, or FAQ or Contact Us????” Debbie, responded to Randy the next day, “We are working on a FAQ-Help page right now … wanted you to know we are working on a FAQ/Help page.”
Probably the same day Debbie responded to Randy C, Debbie Anne Jackson created the group, “Genealogywise Problems or Suggestions.” There have been, give or take, 30 replies in that discussion forum. It’s supposed to be the “official” repository for items. Many comments thanking others for raising issues, but not much about the status of the issues. Email and group categorization, among others, are topics. The very first suggestion was made by Joan Foster the same day the group was set up. Her suggestions pertained to sorting, adding keywords, and categorizing the groups. The reply opened, “I know exactly how you feel I was thinking the same thing while looking through over 460 groups yesterday….” (As of 18 July 2009, 8:02 a.m. MT, we have almost 2700 groups. Given the million surname march , we add hundreds more a day.)
Christine Gibbons was wondering about several things when she added her 13 July discussion topic, “Adding data & invite refusals.” She writes, “I am wondering how best to use the website, which is the best place to add our own research and queries, in the Forum, Blogs and the Discussion section? or the Comment section? It would be lovely to all keep to the same format to make reading easier […] Also I have noticed that some Groups are hiding away and you have to be invited to join, surely this defeats the whole ethos of this set up….”
On 15 July, Unknown Ancestor wrote a great discussion in the forums, “Which Niche for Genealogywise?” It is a so-well-written comment that GenealogyWise be developed on a framework of organization. A must read:
http://www.genealogywise.com/forum/topics/which-niche-for-genealogy...
On 16 July, “Censorship” became the topic of the hour … which I always read as, “Moderate What?”; see the discussion topic, “Help us determine the level of censorship at GenealogyWise.” We were asked to provide feedback and many of us died. More than 100 responses. Lots of comments back about “good ideas,” and “we certainly need to consider that….” In the exchange, FL also asked us to use the “Report an Issue” link at the bottom of GenealogyWise pages to notice Family Link about problems and issues. It’s not clear (you click on the link and a message window appears) where those comments go, or how they are cataloged.
(Humm… which is the official way we should comment. To Debbie’s group, “Genealogywise Problems or Suggestions,” or via the link.) Schelly Talalay Dardashti, and others, have blogged about the issue.
Two days later, 17 July, David Jamieson started the discussion forum, “should we categorize the groups”; there have been 14 comments made to his discussion. Comments are continuing to be added now.
The same day, Jim Ericson set up the much needed group aptly named, “Group Admins.” I know several of the admins are chatting there; not aware the FamilyLink has joined in the discussions yet.
Today, Dennis Hawver started the forum discussion, “GoDaddy takeover of GenealogyWise.” The item discusses the DNS problem GenealogyWise had last Thursday a.m. Brad, Tamura and Victoria commented that Tamura had figured out the problem and twittered about it to FL and others at the time. (It was Tamura’s twitter that noticed me [“TweetyTwig” here].) Tamura added, “[others] may want to check #genealogy tweets on twitter for the latest news and updates on things like this…”
P.S. Pardon the typos … these little boxes are driving me nuts.-GJ
While it’s not intended to have been an exhaustive search (couldn’t resist), a list the follows that highlights our collaborative effort to raise issues and seek answers. I believe the list shows that we’ve tried to help FL spot possible problems early. Ditto, that we’ve been patient and are trying to use temporary workarounds.
While FL has commented politely on a some of the issues we’ve raised, many haven’t been address. I know I’m still receiving a “large” number of emails every day. Ditto, I’m still looking for that oh so helpful and oh so needed first group of FAQ’s. I also wonder, if FL couldn’t yet allow us to categorize the groups, why didn’t they work to manage the “million surname march” just a little?
While I appreciate FL’s mostly polite/courteous approach to communicating about the issues, I’d like a little “Aretha.” Please FamilyLink, let’s raise the bar in our communications. How about some straight talk. I’m hoping for more and better information. Pretty please. --GJ
DearMYRTLE began a blog on 8 July, “THINGS you wish GenealogyWise could do. “As of this morning, there have been 99 replies on that discussion; believe my first was dtd the 9th. On the 12th Debbie Jackson started a forum discussion, “Answers to What I wish GenealogyWise Could Do Forum-By Debbie Jackson.” (The last “answers” seem to be the same day. It included the comment, “I am working on a Welcome Center that includes a FAQ-Help page, and hopefully I will have that done and up in the next couple days.”) Debbie addressed the need to categorize the groups and reported the programmers were working on it. She also mentioned an awareness of the “too many emails” problem. She thanked us for being, “sweet, and understanding.”
On the 8th, Patti Wilcox, in the forum, wanted to know “Who monitors spelling for board titles?”
On the 10th, I went to the chat room, so hoping I’d find it monitored by someone from FL who could answer my questions. When no one seemed home, I started the topic, “GW: How do I in “Genealogist connection.” I asked about sending links, wanted to know how the chat room was supposed to work, whether or not we needed to monitor files uploaded to the site for copyright, etc. I wanted to know if there was a way to add a forum category “GenealogyWise, so we could log inquiries.
Also on the 10th, Ken Meske wanted to learn more about how to invite friends. His forum discussion, “Invite Friends.” The same day, Randy C began another thread with the comment, “There doesn’t seem to be a “help” button, or FAQ or Contact Us????” Debbie, responded to Randy the next day, “We are working on a FAQ-Help page right now … wanted you to know we are working on a FAQ/Help page.”
Probably the same day Debbie responded to Randy C, Debbie Anne Jackson created the group, “Genealogywise Problems or Suggestions.” There have been, give or take, 30 replies in that discussion forum. It’s supposed to be the “official” repository for items. Many comments thanking others for raising issues, but not much about the status of the issues. Email and group categorization, among others, are topics. The very first suggestion was made by Joan Foster the same day the group was set up. Her suggestions pertained to sorting, adding keywords, and categorizing the groups. The reply opened, “I know exactly how you feel I was thinking the same thing while looking through over 460 groups yesterday….” (As of 18 July 2009, 8:02 a.m. MT, we have almost 2700 groups. Given the million surname march , we add hundreds more a day.)
Christine Gibbons was wondering about several things when she added her 13 July discussion topic, “Adding data & invite refusals.” She writes, “I am wondering how best to use the website, which is the best place to add our own research and queries, in the Forum, Blogs and the Discussion section? or the Comment section? It would be lovely to all keep to the same format to make reading easier […] Also I have noticed that some Groups are hiding away and you have to be invited to join, surely this defeats the whole ethos of this set up….”
On 15 July, Unknown Ancestor wrote a great discussion in the forums, “Which Niche for Genealogywise?” It is a so-well-written comment that GenealogyWise be developed on a framework of organization. A must read:
http://www.genealogywise.com/forum/topics/which-niche-for-genealogy...
On 16 July, “Censorship” became the topic of the hour … which I always read as, “Moderate What?”; see the discussion topic, “Help us determine the level of censorship at GenealogyWise.” We were asked to provide feedback and many of us died. More than 100 responses. Lots of comments back about “good ideas,” and “we certainly need to consider that….” In the exchange, FL also asked us to use the “Report an Issue” link at the bottom of GenealogyWise pages to notice Family Link about problems and issues. It’s not clear (you click on the link and a message window appears) where those comments go, or how they are cataloged.
(Humm… which is the official way we should comment. To Debbie’s group, “Genealogywise Problems or Suggestions,” or via the link.) Schelly Talalay Dardashti, and others, have blogged about the issue.
Two days later, 17 July, David Jamieson started the discussion forum, “should we categorize the groups”; there have been 14 comments made to his discussion. Comments are continuing to be added now.
The same day, Jim Ericson set up the much needed group aptly named, “Group Admins.” I know several of the admins are chatting there; not aware the FamilyLink has joined in the discussions yet.
Today, Dennis Hawver started the forum discussion, “GoDaddy takeover of GenealogyWise.” The item discusses the DNS problem GenealogyWise had last Thursday a.m. Brad, Tamura and Victoria commented that Tamura had figured out the problem and twittered about it to FL and others at the time. (It was Tamura’s twitter that noticed me [“TweetyTwig” here].) Tamura added, “[others] may want to check #genealogy tweets on twitter for the latest news and updates on things like this…”
P.S. Pardon the typos … these little boxes are driving me nuts.-GJ
Tags: Administrators, FAQ, FamilyLink, GenealogyWise, Group, Help, Problems, Suggestions
Views: 3
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jim Ericson on
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Gene,
Thanks for sending your comments and feedback. We are working on several enhancements. The site has only been up for one week now, and we are working on several enhancements. We are also researching which features we have direct control over and which will require a change in the site framework, some of which is outside of our ability to control.
Please keep the feedback coming. We do appreciate your suggestions. Some of them, such as categorization and filtering, will require some research on our part to determine what is possible. I love this concept and agree that it is required from a genealogical perspective; however, the site framework we are working may have some limitations. We are researching that now.
Those who set up groups can choose whether or not to moderate them. The community is open, so we are trying to stay out of the way as much as possible. The community members set up the groups and choose the features they want for each group. We are working on creating better communications with the group administrators, so everyone receives some instruction on what the different forum settings mean; however, we are not going to dictate which features and options are selected by the group administrators.
I appreciate your feedback and value your suggestions. The site is a living community, so we are trying to be very careful about changes we make to the structure of the site to not disrupt the experience on the site. Unfortunately, site changes require work, time, and effort.
This is a a great community effort. Please keep the comments coming. Please understand we are working on these issues as quickly as we can.
Thanks Again,
Jim
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Permalink Reply by GeneJ on -
Jim,
Thank you for responding to my inquiry.
Are you able to provide us with the status of the Member and Group Administrator FAQs and Help pages. An inital set of such pages was expected several days ago. Since them, there has been much talk about what and how the groups are to be monitored. Since, we've gained perhaps a thousand more groups and thousands of new members .
I'd like to continue the tread about your response, but hope you'll first reply back on these items.
Thanks again. --GJ
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