MAIN PROGRAM - VivaNET
CIG Notes
September 14, 1995
Notes from the September 14, 1995 meeting of the Rochester Genealogical Society, Computer Interest Group:
There were 53 attendees including 3 visitors. Bob Hesselberth led the meeting as the new CIG leader, Stanley Hazen had expected to be out-of-town (but he attended anyway!). The attendees were asked to identify themselves, to find kindred users of various hardware and software programs. Bob listed the program features.
Dick Halsey reminded all that this is now membership renewal time for the RGS ($15) and the CIG (another $5). The CIG newsletter needs your $$ support. Please renew now, before we CORRECT the mailing list.
Ossie Salyards noted that the Oct. 11th meeting of the Kodak Genealogy Society will feature a talk by RGS President Ed Gaulin on French-Canadian research.
Debbie Barnes continues to maintain the MS-DOS disk library, and Harry Long has the MAC disk library. Check with them for the latest catalog. Jim Hall noted that he has downloaded the abbreviated Genesee Country Family Files from the RGS Homepage and will give Debbie a copy for circulation. The disk will also include the unzip file needed.
Ken Veneron reported that the Westfall Rd. Family History Center has received copies of the microfilms of the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Rochester, NY burial records covering the years 1837-1969, 4 rolls. An additional roll is expected in Feb. 1996. Shortened delivery time for microfilm orders has resulted from on-line ordering to Salt Lake City. Also, Ken is developing a database of existing indefinite term films and all ordered films to show current availability. Patrons will be able to personally search the database to avoid duplicate ordering and cost.
Ed Gaulin reported that the Mt. Hope Burial Records Digitizing Project is reactivated. Gale Smith and Dennis Gorman are collaborating to select a publication mode and to complete this phase (1837-1860, Vol. 1.) of the record preservation.
Ed also noted that the Sept. 21st meeting of the RGS will include as featured speaker, the director of the new Pittsfield Mass. Branch of the Archives (NARA). The workshop will include Ozzie Salyards and Associates describing the content of the Sept. 1996 Irondequoit Oktoberfest / German Genealogy Booth, and how visitors were assisted. Ed noted that the Hear Ye will likely be delayed in delivery until after Sept. 21st. However, Dick Halsey provided a print-out of the local members of RGS for chopping into mini phone tree lists for CIG members to contact and notify of the location of the Sept. (Asbury Church) and Oct. (Irondequoit United Methodist/ Titus Ave) meeting sites. Ozzie Salyards provided a list of KGS members who were alerted on 13 Sep.
Handouts on the sign-in tables were noted and Bob also mentioned several other announcements. The VivaNET speaker, Gordon Griffin, noted that he had placed several handouts on the front tables, describing genealogy on the Internet.
CARL/LIBRA: Gail Rawcliffe, a CARL Trainer, gave a short presentation on using the on-line electronic card catalog for the Monroe County Library System. She noted the features of the original CARL system, and the expanded program now called LIBRA. The new system has a variety of new features including e-mail addresses for County Legislators, Community Events, etc. The online phone is 428-7777. Some CIG members noted problems (gibberish) when accessing CARL. It is important to tell your communication software that you want to use VT100 terminal, 8-N-1. The maximum trasnmission rate is 9600 baud, in spite of your equipment capabilities.
Larry Naukam noted the beginning of free public Internet access (policies) at the branches of the Monroe County Library System. The sites accessed are limited at this time, but are certainly worth checking-out. He noted a recent descriptive article in the Sept. 1995 issue of CIDER PRESS and provided copies of the article.
A question on the status of on-line searching (Virtual Reference Desk) for reference books was responded to by Larry as "in process", a huge task. Unfortunately this includes the Local History and Genealogy Department.
Gordon Griffin of VivaNET described the function of his company to act as an INTERNET server. He described the growth and changing characteristics of the INTERNET from a military communications/research network of the early 1970's to a massive commercial enterprise today. The key to operation of INTERNET is the protocol TCP/IP, or Transmission Control Protocol/INTERNET Protocol.
CYBERSPACE was described as a central core or INTERNET surrounded by various operating functions such as the World Wide Web, Commercial Interfaces (AOL, CompuServe, Prodigy), FIDONET, BITNET, UNIX, Internal Corporate Networks. There are about 45,000 nets, 3 million users today in the Commercial Interfaces, out of an expected 30 million users in 1995 and 100 million in 1998.
Connection to the INTERNET is by computer to modem to connection software to telephone lines thru a service provider like VivaNET. Many service providers are forming. VivaNET has two trunk lines, 24 hr. availability, with full access. On the INTERNET, e-mail (very active), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), telnet, IRC (INTERNET Relay Chat) and Search Groups are the most active.
The Worldwide Web is multimedia (audio, video, photo integrated with text. BROWSER software is needed, i.e. Netscape, INTERNET in a Box, etc., at various costs depending on the features from $39 to $99. OS2 (WebExplorer) and WINDOWS 95 are supposed to have Browsers, offering a simple way to get on the INTERNET.
A Web Page is an integration of audio, video and text content by designers, with source code to get on the INTERNET, using HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language). An address, URL (Universal Research Locator) is needed to get messages delivered. An example is vivanet.com (all lower case), a registered name and address in Henrietta, NY. Other descriptors are .edu for schools, .gov for government, etc.
Gordon browsed through several Home Pages including Branch Mall, which carries lots of things to buy. He described using SEARCH: Lycos.com to navigate the Internet: Genealogy had 82 matches. The Genealogy Mall was interactive, asking many questions about hardware, etc. He connected with the Library of Congress, and the Commerce Dept., both large sources.
Questions were asked about cost ($20/month) for VivaNET, vs an advertised competitor that costs $15 for text only, $29 for full service (which happens to be routed through VivaNET!). AOL is limited to browse. The phone exchange is a Rochester one, and thus available to most of Monroe County.
There are few graphics at genealogy sites, less expensive to download.
A good round of applause was given for a fine presentation.
Dick Halsey has designed and built a homepage, and added RGS to the VivaNET account. The address in Sept. 1995 was: http://www.vivanet.com/~halsey/rgs.html
Note the tilde before halsey. It's in the upper left row of the keyboard. All the letters are lower case. The address will also be found in Hear Ye. Dick described the homepage contents. There are colors in some areas to highlight further access. There is info on RGS, its publications, meetings and the CIG. He discussed other sources he lists; click on the words and you are automagically transported to the new site. It is magic.
There is info on the 1996 FGS Conference, and other Rochester sites. The FGS schedule is updated as needed.
Dick asks for stuff to put on the page. There is relatively unlimited storage at VivaNET. He asks for comments to be sent by e-mail, or snail mail if not on line. Files are collected at VivaNET and software protects them, with a password needed for access.
Bob Hesselberth asked what can be found on the Internet?
Larry Naukam noted that Yahoo finds homepages, collects current, changeable information. There are limited searchable databases. http.address in text is a springboard to a new site. He thinks it is most impressive.
Tim Carroll noted that many libraries have electronic card catalogs to allow off-site searches for reference works prior to a visit. Some obituaries are being digitized by local CIGs, etc. (About The Obituary Page).
Others have found family association info. Larry N. also was able to do a German search, typing in a surname and getting a response in English or German. Sometimes there is a choice.
Overall, primary source information is very limited.
Some families are putting photos of ancestors on the Web.
Bob suggested that the RGS Homepage should now evolve to an Editorial Committee to support the continued operation. Dick Halsey agreed that assistance is needed.
As the East Irondequoit Library continues in renovation, the Oct. 12th meeting will be moved to the Webster Public Library. A map and directions will accompany the meeting announcement.
RGS has established a Voice Mail Account on Rochester Tel. Call 234- 2584 for the latest meeting notices, meeting changes in case of bad weather. Thanks to Roy Thurston for the idea and implementation. Give it a try!
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