My Rooted Technology Meme

January 4, 2012 at 10:57 PM (General Genealogy, Technology)

You can’t begin to imagine how sad I am that I can’t attend RootsTech 2012. Perhaps someday I will have a job that doesn’t keep me from traveling January to May. If that happens, I could attend RootsTech AND spring training, which I’ve been wanting to do for a number of years. Not to mention SLIG and the NGS conference. Why are so many great genealogy (and baseball) events scheduled for these months?

In any case, I do love me some technology. Though I’m somewhat more cautious than I used to be, I am often an early adopter of new electronics, and though I’m not as plugged into social media as so many are, I read a lot of it and participate when I can. This meme started by Thomas MacEntee at the GeneaBloggers blog is right up my alley.

If you want to join in the fun and show off your own tech cred, here are the rules for the My Rooted Technology meme:

  • Technology you already use: bold face type
  • Technology you would like to use or learn more about: italicize (color optional)
  • Technology you don’t use, have no interest in using or no longer use: plain type
  • Explain or give opinions in brackets [     ] at the end of each bullet point
  1. I have a tablet computer such as an iPad that I use for genealogy [I have an iPad, actually my second because my first was wi-fi only and I wanted 3G coverage. I don’t use it for research so much yet, other than to look up my Ancestry.com trees when I’m on the go, but I do have every copy of NGSQ, NGSM, APGQ, and NEHGR (I’m actually still working on this one) that is available as a PDF loaded on it.]
  2. I have downloaded one or more apps to a Smart Phone or similar device.
  3. I belong to a genealogy society that uses social media.
  4. I use GEDCOM files and understand the various compatibility issues involved. [More or less, anyway.]
  5. I have added metadata to some of my files and digital photos.
  6. I have utilized an API from a genealogy-related application or website.
  7. I have taken a DNA test related to my genealogy research.
  8. I have used the FamilySearch Research Wiki.
  9. I have a Facebook account and use it regularly for genealogy. [I have only connected with a few genealogists there, but would love to connect with others! I’m at http://www.facebook.com/kstrum.]
  10. I use tech tools to help me cite my sources in genealogy research. [I just finished the BU program where I spent a good deal of time learning how to craft citations. Using tech seems a bit like cheating! Though I am just getting started with RootsMagic, and hope those templates help.]
  11. I have developed a genealogy-related app for a Smart Phone or similar device.
  12. I use a genealogy database program (Family Tree Maker, Legacy Family Tree, RootsMagic etc.) [I have the latest versions of both Family Tree Maker and RootsMagic.]
  13. I use cloud computer resources to store my genealogy data. [Mostly I just use Dropbox to share genealogy documents with my mom at this point. Everything else is on a flash drive, backed up on a computer. I don’t have enough space at Dropbox to save it all, but might end up paying for it someday as extra backup.]
  14. I have made one or more contributions to the FamilySearch Research Wiki.
  15. I have attended a genealogy webinar.
  16. I have organized and administered a DNA testing group related to my genealogy.
  17. I use apps involving GPS and Geo-caching for my genealogy research. [I have apps for this on my phone, but haven’t had a chance to try them out yet.]
  18. I have a Google+ account and use it regularly for genealogy. [I follow a lot of people, but don’t participate as much as I’d like. I hope to do better this year!]
  19. I have created and published a family history e-book. [I suppose I might do this someday, but I need to get a handle on my mom’s research as well as my own first.]
  20. I have created a wiki related to my genealogy research. [I love wikis. I hadn’t though about doing this before, but it sounds like a great idea.]
  21. I have conducted a genealogy webinar as a presenter. [I really don’t see myself doing much in the way of public speaking, but you never know, I suppose!]
  22. I read genealogy-related blogs to help improve my own research. [I only wish I had more time to read them and comment! At least I finally found a Chrome extension that helps read comments without having to leave Google Reader. I just wish more folks used something so I could be notified of follow-up messages, because I rarely remember to go back and see if a comment I left was responded to.]
  23. I have one or more genealogy-related blogs to help improve my own research. [This is the only one. One of these days I hope to start getting actual research on it, create surname pages, etc.]
  24. I have a Twitter account and use it regularly for genealogy. [I don’t really like Twitter all that much, perhaps it’s just “too much,” but check on it to see what folks are talking about.]
  25. I have one or more genealogy-related websites which I run and administer.
  26. I have created a screencast or video related to genealogy and posted it at a video sharing site (Vimeo, YouTube, etc.).
  27. I use one or more digital tools to capture and record my family history. [I received a digital voice recorder for Christmas, so I guess that’s a start!]

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