Dynastree is kaput; needs of software program
Feb 28, 2010 11:44:42 GMT -5
Post by Doug 周 on Feb 28, 2010 11:44:42 GMT -5
Sadly, last February, Dynastree ceased to do business and transferred all the data to MyHeritage.com. Despite the transferring of data, because of the loose format of GEDCOM and the different styles of programming, the presentation of the data is different. The German authors of Dynastree were very good programmers.
As I have tried to emphasize before, the use of any software program is a way to display your data and to help make data entry and manipulation easy. Always consider your program temporary, whether they are on line programs or stand alone computer based. I used to own the computer based www.legacyfamilytree.com/ and Winfamily.com, and had to tediously hand transfer my data to other programs when my needs exceeded the power of the programs. Below I will reiterate the ‘needs’ of a Chinese genealogy software program
Always try to archive your data. There are two types of archival methods: GEDCOM and paper.
GEDCOM is a computer code with loose standards. Generally Given names, DOB, Surnames, parents, locations, spouses, are standard ‘field’ names or labels in GEDCOM. Additional items like nicknames, Alias’s, notes, relationships, have ‘field’ names or labels determined by the programmers themselves. This is why GEDCOM’s will not transfer data accurately between different programs.
siyigenealogy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=software&action=display&thread=850
The main purpose of software programs is to allow you to change data quickly. Think of your family tree (Zupu or Jiapu) as having two dimensions: depth and width. Until you have an established family tree, many people work on the depth; they dig deeply into the parents, grandparents, great grandparents, etc past history. Since many of the ancestors have passed away, the information, once established, is static and can be represented by paper or images. The width of a family tree involves living relatives: Siblings, cousins, spouses of same, etc. Life changes, location changes, births and deaths, and photos require frequent updating; this is where a computerized family tree is useful. Online family trees allow for time and distance conveniences.
To reiterate the needs of Chinese genealogy software:
First the program needs to display Unicode. As you already know, this allows on screen and print display of Chinese characters.
siyigenealogy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=software&action=display&thread=849
Second, the program needs to output the Unicode into the GEDCOM. Since GEDCOM is a very loose protocol, one needs to actually read the GEDCOM to make sure your data carries into the file. I have tried to demonstrate that on a previous forum post.
siyigenealogy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=software&action=display&thread=957
Third, the program needs to accommodate multiple names per person or account. There are the Chinese characters, both simplified and traditional, the Western name, the Wade Giles or whatever Anglicization was used at time of emigration. There is also the Chinese given name and the Chinese name one takes as an adult. There are various ‘paper’ names.
siyigenealogy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=names&action=display&thread=1125
Fourth, there is the display name. Most Chinese are Surnames first, where most Western names are Surname last. If this is a stand alone program, then the display name is unimportant since it is YOUR program and you will be the only one using it. If collaboration across geographical distances with an on line program is needed, then the display name can become an issue. It is courteous to accommodate users customs to the various displays.
After that, most of the features in non-Chinese genealogy programs apply. You should look for the ability to print your family tree, and to export your Unicoded GEDCOM with as much information as is available on the screen. It was the GEDCOM exporting that was the main reason I enjoyed using Dynastree; I would frequently archive my data as a GEDCOM, knowing that the information was available.
Doug
As I have tried to emphasize before, the use of any software program is a way to display your data and to help make data entry and manipulation easy. Always consider your program temporary, whether they are on line programs or stand alone computer based. I used to own the computer based www.legacyfamilytree.com/ and Winfamily.com, and had to tediously hand transfer my data to other programs when my needs exceeded the power of the programs. Below I will reiterate the ‘needs’ of a Chinese genealogy software program
Always try to archive your data. There are two types of archival methods: GEDCOM and paper.
GEDCOM is a computer code with loose standards. Generally Given names, DOB, Surnames, parents, locations, spouses, are standard ‘field’ names or labels in GEDCOM. Additional items like nicknames, Alias’s, notes, relationships, have ‘field’ names or labels determined by the programmers themselves. This is why GEDCOM’s will not transfer data accurately between different programs.
siyigenealogy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=software&action=display&thread=850
The main purpose of software programs is to allow you to change data quickly. Think of your family tree (Zupu or Jiapu) as having two dimensions: depth and width. Until you have an established family tree, many people work on the depth; they dig deeply into the parents, grandparents, great grandparents, etc past history. Since many of the ancestors have passed away, the information, once established, is static and can be represented by paper or images. The width of a family tree involves living relatives: Siblings, cousins, spouses of same, etc. Life changes, location changes, births and deaths, and photos require frequent updating; this is where a computerized family tree is useful. Online family trees allow for time and distance conveniences.
To reiterate the needs of Chinese genealogy software:
First the program needs to display Unicode. As you already know, this allows on screen and print display of Chinese characters.
siyigenealogy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=software&action=display&thread=849
Second, the program needs to output the Unicode into the GEDCOM. Since GEDCOM is a very loose protocol, one needs to actually read the GEDCOM to make sure your data carries into the file. I have tried to demonstrate that on a previous forum post.
siyigenealogy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=software&action=display&thread=957
Third, the program needs to accommodate multiple names per person or account. There are the Chinese characters, both simplified and traditional, the Western name, the Wade Giles or whatever Anglicization was used at time of emigration. There is also the Chinese given name and the Chinese name one takes as an adult. There are various ‘paper’ names.
siyigenealogy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=names&action=display&thread=1125
Fourth, there is the display name. Most Chinese are Surnames first, where most Western names are Surname last. If this is a stand alone program, then the display name is unimportant since it is YOUR program and you will be the only one using it. If collaboration across geographical distances with an on line program is needed, then the display name can become an issue. It is courteous to accommodate users customs to the various displays.
After that, most of the features in non-Chinese genealogy programs apply. You should look for the ability to print your family tree, and to export your Unicoded GEDCOM with as much information as is available on the screen. It was the GEDCOM exporting that was the main reason I enjoyed using Dynastree; I would frequently archive my data as a GEDCOM, knowing that the information was available.
Doug
