CrossRidge Technology Club

At our December 22 meeting we explored many holiday web sites (Christmas and Hanakkah) and got many ideas such as holiday games, cooking ideas, holiday projects, etc. Download the Powerpoint presentation (zip file folder ) here (needs QuickTime) or view it online here.
Use Technology To Work On Your Family Tree

At our October 15 meeting we explored the topic of genealogy research featuring the most popular software products and websites available. This presentation should be considered only an introduction to the process and not as an advanced seminar in genealogical research. The major emphasis was on answering questions about how to use the available technology.

Two major software programs were featured: Family Tree Maker 2009 (Windows) and Reunion 9 (Mac). Websites to be visited include Ancestry.com, Genealogy.com, Rootsweb.com, TGN.com, ancestrymagazine.com. We discussed the importance of using standard GEDCOM or (2) and ASCII file formats for importing and exporting information. Check out the "50 Most Popular Genealogy Websites for 2008" , "14 Websites Preferred by Professionals" , Cyndi's List or visit a local LDS Family History Center where you can get access to copies of millions of microfilms, thousands of microfiche and books, and many other records such as CD-ROM files that are part of the International Genealogical Index (IGI). This is an international index that has been collected through a process of extracting parish records, cemeteries, etc. from all over the world. You can also use the Ancestory.com website there for free (as well as in some libraries). If you are just getting started you might want to visit this web page that contains many useful links or purchase this useful online book, Genealogy Online for Dummies. You can download the PowerPoint presentation from our meeting here or view it online with all its links.

In addition, Bud Cothern presented information on his own genealogy of nearly 1000 pages documenting 8 generations of the Cothern family origins in Virginia dating back to the year 1700. Experienced amateur genealogists are welcome to come to our meeting to participate and add their experiences to the discussion.

ELECTION TIME !

On September 17, we visited all sorts of websites where we you get useful election information, electoral college maps, the latest polling information, news sites, a campaign “truth-o-meter,” and the candidates' sites themselves. We also visited a web link where we can look up names, corporations, industries, etc. who have contributed more than $200 to a campaign, even here in CrossRidge! (Hey, there might be neighbor, friend or family member whom you discover is either a closet liberal or a conservative and you never suspected!) Anyway, the purpose was to come away with a great deal of information in order to become more informed voters. We’re also had to a lot of fun with amusing videos and cartoons on the upcoming election. Check out the funny videos: Jib-Jab's Election 2008, SNL of Hillary and Sarah Palin, the Old, Grizzled Third-Party Candidate, the McCain Girls, and the Barack Roll. You can download the complete PowerPoint show or view the web version. We don’t take any sides on who is the best choice—all non-partisan fun.

Choosing a Web Browser

Have you ever wondered why there are many different web browsers? Have you ever heard their names and wondered how they were different, which are more secure to use? Which are faster? Which to use: Opera, Floc, Safari, Netscape Navigator, Firefox, Internet Explorer? Never heard of some of them? We learned about them at our June 18 meeting. We explored a number of different web browsers, discussed their features and evaluated their potential uses. Download the PowerPoint show here or view it online here.

Using Search Engines

At our May 21 meeting we discussed using effective search methods and search tools on the Internet. I’ll bet when most of you want to search for something on the Internet you go to Google and just type the word or words and press return. Do you think you are employing the most effective search results? If your answer is “no” then you realize there must be a better way.

At our meeting we visited a ton of different search engines and discussed the features and benefits of each. The Powerpoint presentation capturing it all is here for download. The web version is here.

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MEETING NOTES May-Dec.'08	CROSS-WIRED \| \| \| \| \| \|		MEETING NOTES May-Dec.'08
		A Site for Members of the CrossRidge Technology Club
		At our December 22 meeting we explored many holiday web sites (Christmas and Hanakkah) and got many ideas such as holiday games, cooking ideas, holiday projects, etc. Download the Powerpoint presentation (zip file folder ) here (needs QuickTime) or view it online here. Use Technology To Work On Your Family Tree At our October 15 meeting we explored the topic of genealogy research featuring the most popular software products and websites available. This presentation should be considered only an introduction to the process and not as an advanced seminar in genealogical research. The major emphasis was on answering questions about how to use the available technology. Two major software programs were featured: Family Tree Maker 2009 (Windows) and Reunion 9 (Mac). Websites to be visited include Ancestry.com, Genealogy.com, Rootsweb.com, TGN.com, ancestrymagazine.com. We discussed the importance of using standard GEDCOM or (2) and ASCII file formats for importing and exporting information. Check out the "50 Most Popular Genealogy Websites for 2008" , "14 Websites Preferred by Professionals" , Cyndi's List or visit a local LDS Family History Center where you can get access to copies of millions of microfilms, thousands of microfiche and books, and many other records such as CD-ROM files that are part of the International Genealogical Index (IGI). This is an international index that has been collected through a process of extracting parish records, cemeteries, etc. from all over the world. You can also use the Ancestory.com website there for free (as well as in some libraries). If you are just getting started you might want to visit this web page that contains many useful links or purchase this useful online book, Genealogy Online for Dummies. You can download the PowerPoint presentation from our meeting here or view it online with all its links. In addition, Bud Cothern presented information on his own genealogy of nearly 1000 pages documenting 8 generations of the Cothern family origins in Virginia dating back to the year 1700. Experienced amateur genealogists are welcome to come to our meeting to participate and add their experiences to the discussion. ELECTION TIME ! On September 17, we visited all sorts of websites where we you get useful election information, electoral college maps, the latest polling information, news sites, a campaign “truth-o-meter,” and the candidates' sites themselves. We also visited a web link where we can look up names, corporations, industries, etc. who have contributed more than $200 to a campaign, even here in CrossRidge! (Hey, there might be neighbor, friend or family member whom you discover is either a closet liberal or a conservative and you never suspected!) Anyway, the purpose was to come away with a great deal of information in order to become more informed voters. We’re also had to a lot of fun with amusing videos and cartoons on the upcoming election. Check out the funny videos: Jib-Jab's Election 2008, SNL of Hillary and Sarah Palin, the Old, Grizzled Third-Party Candidate, the McCain Girls, and the Barack Roll. You can download the complete PowerPoint show or view the web version. We don’t take any sides on who is the best choice—all non-partisan fun. Choosing a Web Browser Have you ever wondered why there are many different web browsers? Have you ever heard their names and wondered how they were different, which are more secure to use? Which are faster? Which to use: Opera, Floc, Safari, Netscape Navigator, Firefox, Internet Explorer? Never heard of some of them? We learned about them at our June 18 meeting. We explored a number of different web browsers, discussed their features and evaluated their potential uses. Download the PowerPoint show here or view it online here. Using Search Engines At our May 21 meeting we discussed using effective search methods and search tools on the Internet. I’ll bet when most of you want to search for something on the Internet you go to Google and just type the word or words and press return. Do you think you are employing the most effective search results? If your answer is “no” then you realize there must be a better way. At our meeting we visited a ton of different search engines and discussed the features and benefits of each. The Powerpoint presentation capturing it all is here for download. The web version is here.
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