Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 30/01/10 at 19:15:51 GMT by Nick Walker
For the last 14 months in my limited spare time I've been creating a new application to replace Gedcom Census. It is called Ancestral Sources and will ultimately handle births, marriages, deaths, burials, baptisms, etc. as well as census records. The first version to be released just deals with census records but there is hardly a line of programming code in common with Gedcom Census and it does do some things quite differently.

I'm hoping that in the next couple of weeks I'll be ready to start beta testing. Ideally I would like a manageable number of experienced users of Gedcom Census to volunteer to help me to iron out any bugs, point out usability problems, etc. before I release it via this website.

If you are an experienced Gedcom Census (GC) user and would like to help with beta testing please reply to this post. In the same post can you let me know the operating system you will be testing on (e.g. Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7) including (if you know) whether 32 or 64 bit, whether you use GC default recording method 1 (lots of census sources, very little data in citations) or recording method 2 (few sources, data in citations), whether you usually use the GC 'auto text' feature to help create census transcripts and also whether you usually use GC to attach images to census records. I’d also like to know which census countries you have experience of entering. For example:
OS: Windows 7 64 bit
Recording Method: 1
Census Transcripts: Yes
Census Images: Yes
Countries: UK

Please don't volunteer if you're not prepared to spend a reasonable amount of time testing, entering in numerous census records, and reporting back your findings. Be aware that depending on the number of issues reported you may need to download updated versions regularly. I expect the testing period will be around 2 to 3 weeks.

Some of the features which are new to Ancestral Sources:
  • All census columns are supported and tailored to each census, e.g. the grid for the 1841 UK census  has 4 columns, the 1901 has 9 columns.
  • Individuals can be added directly without having to go back into Family Historian
  • A census template editor is included so users can create their own census templates or edit existing ones. For example, a user could create templates for French census records. These could then be shared with other users (e.g.  via this website) and possibly incorporated into future versions of Ancestral Sources if they’re happy for me to do so.
  • Full support for Family Historian version 4 features such as projects, relative multimedia file paths and same-sex partnerships
  • Faster file save/load
  • More usable ‘All Individuals’ and ‘Immediate Family’ lists.
  • More intelligent census date check and flag check facilities.
  • Numerous other usability improvements

Thanks for reading this

Nick
Other messages in this Thread:
 
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 30/01/10 at 19:36:31 GMT by Bilko
Hi Nick,

I volunteer.

I have a network with both Windows XP Home (for downloads) & Vista Home (for GC & FH4) both connected to another XP pc with external hard drives for main storage & back-up,
Recording Method 2,
Census transcripts - No,
Census Images - Yes,
Countries - UK, Ireland, (maybe Canada).

Regards
Bilko
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 31/01/10 at 10:33:49 GMT by ireneb
I would like to volunteer too.

Irene
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 31/01/10 at 10:40:18 GMT by ireneb
Sorry, I should have said

I sometimes use auto-text

OS: Windows Vista 32 bit
Recording Method: 1
Census Transcripts: Yes
Census Images: Yes
Countries: UK, Canada

Irene
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 31/01/10 at 10:56:46 GMT by RSellens
Hi Nick,
   I'm happy to test it for you. I currently use Windows Vista Ultimate (Service Pack 2) 32 bit, running under Parralls on a Mac Pro.  I use recording method 1, with the auto text and attach images. I have in the past done UK, US and Canadian census, along with some state census from Kansas.

Richard
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 31/01/10 at 14:01:50 GMT by PeterR
Happy to help:

OS: Windows XP Home SP3 (32 bit)
Recording Method: 1
Census Transcripts: Yes
Census Images: Yes
Countries: UK (1841-1901) (+ a few US 1930 & Ireland 1911)
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 31/01/10 at 14:25:15 GMT by belmore
I would be happy to help

OS: Windows 7 32 bit
Recording Method: 2
Census Transcripts: No
Census Images: No
Countries: UK

Robin
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 31/01/10 at 18:07:09 GMT by Tony Jones
Count me in:

OS: Windows XP Sp3 & Windows 7 64 bit
Recording Method: 1
Census Transcripts: Yes
Census Images: Yes
Countries: UK
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 01/02/10 at 11:32:30 GMT by Nick Walker
Thanks to all those who have volunteered so far. Once I feel we have enough testers I'll be in touch with each of you. I'm still working on finishing off various parts of the program but hopefully it'll be ready for you to get your hands on in a couple of weeks.

Thanks again

Nick
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 01/02/10 at 11:39:40 GMT by oldtimer47
Glad to help - I guess it would be best to work on a test gedcom file and not risk a 'live' one ?

OS: Windows XP 32 bit
Recording Method: 2
Census Transcripts: No
Census Images: No
Countries: UK

Peter
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 01/02/10 at 11:50:50 GMT by Nick Walker
Yes or just make sure you're taking regular backups.
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 01/02/10 at 15:11:55 GMT by hambledonman
Hi Nick
I would love to be a beta tester for new application.

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit but this runs x86
Recording method 1
Census transcripts: Yes
Census images: Yes
Countries: UK, USA, Canada
Source on flash drive so I can move from laptop W7 32bit to this desktop.  John
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 03/02/10 at 14:19:56 GMT by David Dewick
Delighted to help test!

OSes : XP; Vista 32bit; W7 64bit
Recording method 1
Auto notes: Yes
Images: Yes
Countries principally UK  + possibly US/Canada, pending SWMBO-approved upgraded ancestry subscription



David
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 03/02/10 at 16:02:49 GMT by jmurphy
    OS: XP
    Recording Method: 1
    Census Transcripts: Yes
    Census Images: Yes
    Countries: UK, US (both State and Federal)

Edited to add: currently still using FH3, but willing to upgrade to FH4.
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 05/02/10 at 18:37:44 GMT by tLeodiensian
Hi Nick,

I'd like to volunteer.

OS: Windows 2000 32 bit
Recording Method: 1
Census Transcripts: Yes
Census Images:
Countries: UK (95% Yorkshire, we don't get out much)

 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 06/02/10 at 16:36:38 GMT by RobFJ
Nick - happy to offer help in beta testing. Just has to be around the weekends

Regards,


Robin

OS: Windows 7 64 bit
Recording Method: 2
Census Transcripts: No
Census Images: No
Countries: Primarily UK

Data file storage is on a NAS


 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 06/02/10 at 19:09:49 GMT by tLeodiensian

tLeodiensian said:
Hi Nick,

I'd like to volunteer.

OS: Windows 2000 32 bit
Recording Method: 1
Census Transcripts: Yes
Census Images: Infrequently
Countries: UK (95% Yorkshire, we don't get out much)

 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 06/02/10 at 21:43:04 GMT by Elizabeth G N Sleaford
I'd like to volunteer


OS: Windows 7 32 bit & Windows XP
Recording Method: 1
Census Transcripts: Yes
Census Images: Yes
Countries: UK, Lancashire, Westmorland, Cheshire

Elizabeth
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 07/02/10 at 19:00:45 GMT by Nick Walker
Thanks to all of those who have volunteered so far. I'm hoping I'll be ready to start the testing in about a week's time and will get in touch then. The program is just about finished but there are a number of finishing touches to put in place.

Nick
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 07/02/10 at 22:58:31 GMT by Croftman
Hi Nick,
Hope I can be of assistance,
OS: Windows XP Proffesional 32bit
    Vista Ultimate 32 bit
    Vista Ultimate 64 bit
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
Recording Method 1
Census Transcripts: Yes
Census Images: Yes
Countries: UK

Using Family Historian since ver 2
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 10/02/10 at 10:32:37 GMT by Nick Walker
I've sent an emailed message via the FHUG website to each person who has volunteered and asked for a reply so that I can find out your email addresses. If you've not received this email then please contact me letting me know your email address.

Thanks

Nick
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 12/02/10 at 23:31:44 GMT by stbaldock
Would love to volunteer:
(Your GEDCOM Census is a godsend!)

OS: Vista 32 bit (soon Windows 7)
Recording Method: 1
Census Transcripts: Yes
Census Images: Yes
Countries: UK

Regards,
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 15/02/10 at 12:38:53 GMT by gbrowne
OS: Windows 2000 pro.
Recording Method: 1
Census Transcripts: Yes
Census Images: Yes
Countries: UK

Now semi-retired, I have a fair amount of experience of professional software testing on various platforms.
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 21/02/10 at 12:30:47 GMT by fagin2009
Count me in
OS: XP
   Recording Method: 2
   Census Transcripts: Yes
   Census Images: NO
   Countries: UK, US (both State and Federal), Canada
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 01/03/10 at 22:42:42 GMT by ronnoc3
I can help if needed

OS: Windows 7 64 bit, Vista 32 bit and 2 XP
Recording Method: 1
Census Transcripts: Yes
Census Images: Yes
Countries: US
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 14/03/10 at 06:50:18 GMT by stevef999
I'm just back working on my tree after some time off. If you still testers then I'd like to help.

OS: Windows 7 32 bit
Recording Method: 1
Census Transcripts: Yes
Census Images: no
Countries: UK

Steve
 Re: Ancestral Sources: Beta Testers Required
Written on 17/03/10 at 19:52:32 GMT by Nick Walker
Thanks to everyone who volunteered, everyone who did so has been contacted and the almost all have given some excellent feedback and found a number of 'issues' that I've fixed. I won't need any extra beta testers for this version so I'm closing this thread.

Hopefully it won't be too long before Ancestral Sources is released so do look out for further news on this website.

Thanks

Nick

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