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- *************************************
- * *
- * A C C E P T *
- * *
- * GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM *
- * *
- * Version 5.0 *
- * *
- *************************************
- * *
- * USER MANUAL *
- * *
- *************************************
- * *
- * SECTION 03. *
- * *
- * MISCELLANEOUS *
- * *
- *************************************
- * *
- * 01. PURCHASE AND AGREEMENT *
- * 02. PROGRAM SUPPORT *
- * 03. DATING SYSTEM *
- * 04. PLACE SYSTEM *
- * 05. FILE DESCRIPTION *
- * 06. FIELD LAYOUT *
- * 07. PROGRAM HISTORY *
- * 08. COMPUTER WISDOM *
- * 09. *
- * 10. *
- * 11. *
- * 12. *
- * 13. *
- * 14. *
- * 15. *
- * 16. *
- * 17. *
- * 18. *
- * 19. *
- * 20. *
- * 21. *
- * 22. *
- * 23. *
- * 24. *
- * 25. *
- * *
- *************************************
-
-
- 1991OC23
- C&SC Inc.
-
-
-
-
-
- 1
-
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-
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-
-
-
-
-
-
- 03.01
- *******************************************************************
- ********* P U R C H A S E A N D A G R E E M E N T ***********
- *******************************************************************
-
-
- PURCHASE:
- *********
-
- If after a long test drive you decide to continue with us then send:
-
- $195.00 for ACCEPT Purchase Version
-
- You are given permission to make as many copies as you wish for your
- own family database but not for another database. This permits you
- to have as many family members working on the same database as you wish.
-
- If you just want the latest version for trial runs then send:
-
- $ 25.00 for ACCEPT Demo Version (Deductable later)
-
- Our mailing Address is:
-
- C&SC Inc.
- Box 870085
- Woodscross, UT 84087
-
- You are given permission to make as many copies as you wish for family
- and friends. This version is limited to 1500 names but it may be split
- two or four ways to give as much as 6000.
-
- * Utah Residents must include 6.25% sales tax
-
- Upon receipt of your Purchase Version order we will send you:
-
- 1. The latest version of the ACCEPT Program. (No entry limit)
- 2. One years free subscription to the ACCEPT Newsletter (Quarterly)
- 3. The latest printed version of the manual.
-
- In addition you will be granted on request:
-
- 1. One free Update and file integrity test. (You say when)
- 2. Free answers to 10 questions via mail.
-
-
- AGREEMENT:
- **********
-
- When you buy a book in the store you do not OWN the book, you only
- purchase the right (License) to read it and keep a copy for your very own.
- You can't make photo copies and sell them on the corner. That agreement is
- implied.
-
- You ought to be nice to someone who gives you more than a years test drive
-
- 2
-
-
-
-
- time on a brand new program and allows you to copy it to your hearts
- content for your family and friends. Please respect the copyrights.
-
- 01. Do not alter the program disks in any way when you copy them.
- 02. Do not separate the Microsoft Run Module from the programs.
- 03. Do not install it on a Bulletin Board. Loading errors creep in.
- 04. Do not use the Date/Time format (1991MY19TU0945.16) in other programs.
- 05. Do not use the Place Format (USUTDVBT) in other programs.
- 06. Do not use the Base 32 number system (00D5) in other programs.
- 07. Do not use the PEDIGROUP Format in other programs.
- 08. Do not use the DUADEX Format in other programs.
- 09. Do not distribute the PONDER files without the rest of the program.
- 10. Do not use PONDER Quotations by SGC (S001) in your book without
- permission. (Why would you want to quote an amatuer philosopher who
- hasn't even reached 90 yet?)
-
-
- DISCLAIMER:
- ***********
-
- C&SC Inc. makes no warranty or representation, either express or implied,
- with respect to this program or documentation. This includes the quality,
- performance, merchantability, or fitness for a specific purpose.
-
- This program was developed only with the SERIOUS user in mind. C&SC Inc.
- cannot assume responsability for failure to keep directories clean and
- backed up at all times.
-
- Keeping a full series of Session Backups, as will be described in the
- manual, will protect against a loss of pointers.
-
- There is an endless number of things that can go wrong in a computer. (2
- risen to the 21 mega power possibilities on the average) We have been
- working for file integrity for several years.
-
- Over ten years ago now we made it a point to close every file just after
- it was written to and then open it again. This makes sure the directory
- etc is updated as quickly as possible. If power were to drop before the
- directory was updated it could cause problems. Most programmers ignore
- this.
-
- Most people do not do a CHKDSK as often as they should. CHKDSK was written
- because DOS does have problems with dynamic allocation. You cannot blame
- broken clusters on this program. It can happen during the use of any
- program.
-
- Our program test site has over 65,000 names and they have never lost files
- we could not quickly recover from.
-
-
- PROFESSIONAL USE:
- *****************
-
- If you are a professional researcher you can set up any number of
- databases free for your customers as long as they are below 1500 names in
- size. You should explain to them that they should obtain the Purchase
- Version at the full price as any other family organization. If they
- terminate your services the program and database will be theirs and they
- will receive support through C&SC Inc.
-
-
- 3
-
-
-
-
- We repeat that we can assume no responsability for loss of data in your
- customers database. This is not for professional use.
-
-
-
- 3.02
- *******************************************************************
- **************** P R O G R A M S U P P O R T ******************
- *******************************************************************
-
- At present C&SC does not have phone support. If you are having problems of
- any kind please describe the problem in a letter and we will answer you as
- quickly as possible. If there is any charge over $20 involved we will
- notify you before proceeding. Arrangements can be made for special
- services.
-
- Upgrades will be released periodically. Notifications and prices will be
- released via newletter.
-
- If you are interested in transferring your database to the Family History
- library in Salt Lake City, that can be done at no charge. Write to us for
- the procedure.
-
- If you wish to set up User Groups across the country we can forward your
- letters to other users that are in your locality. We do not publish or
- sell our customer listing. A User Group newsletter can be started soon. We
- will consider suggestions for program improvements but do not send
- technical solutions or enhancement ideas you wish to claim ownership of.
- We will not get involved with joint authorship. Suggestions for the ACCEPT
- USERS group name will be appreciated. Somehow I don't like the name
- ACCUSERS.
-
- The first 10 questions by mail will be free. Additional questions answered
- via mail at $20/hour
-
- Perhaps next year we will set up a PC Bulletin Board, and/or an 800 number
- for the ACCEPT OWNERS.
-
-
-
- 03.03
- ******************************************************************
- ******************* D A T I N G S Y S T E M ******************
- ******************************************************************
-
-
- The DATE/TIME Format we will use was developed for this program almost ten
- years ago. It was included in all the copyrights since that time.
-
- The old conventional format are 12/11/1990 (Note there are 10 characters)
-
- In Europe this would mean 12 Nov.1990
-
- In the United States this would mean Dec. 11,1990
-
- The new convention is: 1990DE11TU (Note there are 10 characters)
-
- Notice the Numeric-Alpha-Numeric-Alpha Sequence. There is no possibility
- of confusion.
-
-
- 4
-
-
-
-
- The full expression is: 1990DE11TU2230.06.23
-
- The sequence is maintained and is in a descending time order to seconds.
-
-
-
- 03.04
- *******************************************************************
- ****************** P L A C E S Y S T E M **********************
- *******************************************************************
-
- By using abbreviations we are able to search two places with each having
- four jurisdictional areas. You can thus broaden or narrow the search area.
-
- We have been using this system for several years now & to our knowledge no
- one elese has ever used it.
-
- The problem of having to create abbreviations is more than offset by
- having the feature of parameter searching plus not having to enter the
- full spelling every time. Every program has trade offs & we chose this
- one.
-
- One of our customers has made a file for the ACCEPT program which has just
- about every place in the world in it. If there is enough interest we will
- attempt negotiations. He uses it on his little notebook size computer.
-
-
-
- 03.05
- *******************************************************************
- *************** F I L E D E S C R I P T I O N *****************
- *******************************************************************
-
-
- ACCPRO FILES AND SIZES:
- ***********************
-
- The following represents the ACCPRO directory. It is the 5.0 release of
- the Demo Version.
-
- These are the ACCEPT Program Executable files. (ND.EXE)(PS.EXE) etc.
-
- It is handy to refer to see if any files are missing, corrupted or have a
- virus. If any of the file sizes on the disk differ from this list then a
- virus test should be run. Even if they don't it's a good idea.
-
-
- FILE NAME SIZE DATE SOURCE VER DESCRIPTION
- ------------ ----- -------- ------ --- ---------------------
-
- README 1ST 45323 10-23-91 ...... ... USER MANUAL - SECT 01
- README 2ND 62479 10-23-91 ...... ... USER MANUAL - SECT 02
- README 3RD 32384 10-23-91 ...... ... USER MANUAL - SECT 03
-
- MAKDIR BAT 98 10-23-91 ...... ... DIRECTORY BUILDER
- OURFAM BAT 118 3-28-91 ...... ... USER FAMILY SETUP .
- OURUPD BAT 595 7-15-91 ...... ... USER FAMILY UPDATE .
- TESFAM BAT 118 7-15-91 ...... ... TEST FAMILY SETUP .
- TESUPD BAT 595 7-15-91 ...... ... TEST FAMILY UPDATE .
- UP BAT 595 7-15-91 ...... ... UPDATE RUN FILE .
-
- 5
-
-
-
-
-
- AD EXE 14782 7-13-91 APBASE 001 APPEND A DATABASE
- AS EXE 14366 7-13-91 APSESS 001 APPEND SESSION FILE
- AT EXE 14738 5-05-91 AHNENT 011 AHNENTAFEL SHEET
- DS EXE 19910 5-06-91 DESCEN 050 DESCENDANT SHEET
- DU EXE 12940 6-29-91 DUADEX 008 DUAL INDEX SHEET
- EX EXE 24814 8-17-91 EDITEX 062 EDIT EXTENTION FILE
- FF EXE 7790 5-09-91 FILTER 003 FILTER A FILE (IN PROCESS)
- FU EXE 32164 10-23-91 FUNNIE 001 PONDER / FUNNIES
- GR EXE 43902 9-02-91 GROUPS 081 GROUP SHEET
- HI EXE 15592 5-06-91 HISTRY 038 HISTORY FILE GENERATOR
- LN EXE 19980 5-09-91 LISTEM 067 LINKED NAME SHEET
- LP EXE 50692 5-08-91 PEDWAL 031 LARGE PEDIGREE SHEET
- MI EXE 64596 10-23-91 MISCEL 001 PONDER / MISCELLANEOUS
- MK EXE 37634 7-22-91 MARKER 010 MARKER FILE UTILITIES
- ND EXE 87612 10-15-91 NAMDDV 319 NAME DATABASE MGR (DEMO VER.)
- PG EXE 27148 6-23-91 PEDGRP 139 PEDIGROUP SHEET
- PS EXE 19642 5-06-91 PEDSCR 062 PEDIGREE TO SCREEN
- PT EXE 47506 10-23-91 POETRY 001 PONDER / POETRY
- RL EXE 22542 5-07-91 RELGEN 035 RELATIONSHIP GENERATOR
- SC EXE 77780 10-23-91 SCIENC 001 PONDER / SCIENCE
- SE EXE 17344 10-23-91 SELECT 055 SELECT ACCEPT ROUTINES
- SO EXE 10216 10-23-91 SOURCE 001 PONDER / SOURCES
- SP EXE 29830 5-08-91 PEDGRE 057 SMALL PEDIGREE SHEET
- ST EXE 13954 10-19-91 STARTS 084 STARTUP SCREEN
- SU EXE 45762 7-05-91 SETUPS 002 SETUP SYSTEM & USERS
- TE EXE 25338 4-23-91 TESTER 001 TESTER UTILITIES
- TR EXE 10722 10-23-91 TRIVIA 004 PONDER / TRIVIA
- U1 EXE 33216 8-30-91 UTIL01 196 MISC UTILITY ROUTINES #1
- U2 EXE 25692 6-23-91 UTIL02 218 MISC UTILITY ROUTINES #2
- UP EXE 27514 4-20-91 UPDATE 134 UPDATE SESSION FILE
- XT EXE 8006 9-26-91 XTRACT 006 EXTRACT GROUPS (IN PROCESS)
- BRT70EFR EXE 82064 1-26-91 ...... ... MICROSOFT RUN MODULE
-
- CRET 2 3-17-91 ...... ... CARRIAGE RETURN
- FLYERS 3372 10-19-91 ...... ... ACCEPT FLYER
- USERID 15 9-26-91 ...... ... PRESENT USER ID FILE
- STARTS FIG 128 7-14-91 ...... ... STARTS CONFIGURATION FILE
-
-
- DISK BYTES:
- ***********
-
- Present Demo programs are being sent out on two 730 K diskettes. It is a
- good idea to check the number of bytes on your diskettes if you have
- received them from a friend.
-
- If you run a CHKDSK on each of the Demo Disks you must get the following:
-
- 730112 bytes total disk space
-
- Disk 1 of 2:
- ------------
- 714752 bytes in 27 user files
- 15360 bytes available on disk
-
- Disk 2 of 2:
- ------------
- 1024 bytes in 1 directories
- 485376 bytes in 41 user files
-
- 6
-
-
-
-
- 243712 bytes available on disk
-
-
- ACCPRO FILE DESCRIPTIONS:
- *************************
-
- BRT70EFR.EXE: Microsoft Run Module. Needed to run all other *.EXE files in
- the program directory. Do not remove from the ACCEPT Disk.
-
- *.EXE: ACCEPT Program Modules.
-
- *.FIG: Configuration Files for each Program Module.
-
- OURFAM.BAT: Batch file sets up OURFAM, OURHIS and OURUPD Dir's.
- It makes them act as if they were drives.
-
- TESFAM.BAT: Batch file sets up TESFAM, TESHIS and TESUPD Dir's.
-
- OURUPD.BAT: Batch file runs the UPDATE Module for OURFAMily files.
-
- TESUPD.BAT: Batch file runs the UPDATE Module for TESFAMily files.
-
- USERID: Is a small data file that tells each module who is using
- the program at present and what the present hardware
- configuration is.
-
-
- NEWFAM FILES AND SIZES:
- ***********************
-
- The following represents the 5.0 release of NEWFAM directory. This is just
- after NEWFAM files are loaded in from Disk #2.
-
- These files are used to start a new family database. They should be kept
- in a separate directory & not used as a new database. Copy them into the
- directory you will be using for your new family.
-
- A few other files such as NAMFIL & POINTS will be generated when you start
- entering names.
-
- FILE NAME SIZE DATE SOURCE VER DESCRIPTION
- ------------ ----- -------- ------ --- ---------------------
- AUXHB2 397 7-10-88 ...... ... POLITICAL ANCESTRY
- AUXHB3 1838 7-10-88 ...... ... SOURCE CODE DEFINITIONS
- AUXHB4 953 7-10-88 ...... ... NAME ORIGINS
- AUXHB5 7641 4-06-88 ...... ... MONARCH REIGNS
- AUXHB6 2713 4-06-88 ...... ... FEAST DAYS
- AUXHB7 1837 4-14-88 ...... ... CALENDAR CHANGES
- AUXHB8 260 7-10-88 ...... ... GENEALOGICAL TERMS
- AUXHB9 307 7-10-88 ...... ... MISC TERMS
- AUXMEN 183 7-05-91 ...... ... AUX MENU (USER CHANGABLE)
-
- FIELDS 160 7-14-91 ...... ... PRESENT USER FIELD FORMAT
- HI0000 4244 8-04-88 ...... ... SAMPLE HISTORY FILE
- MARKER 1 4-28-88 ...... ... STARTUP MARKER FILE
- NAMTAB 252 3-20-88 ...... ... PRESENT NAME CONVERT TABLE
- NOTEUD 60 4-28-88 ...... ... STARTUP USER DEFINED FILE
- NOTEVI 60 4-28-88 ...... ... STARTUP VITAL NOTE FILE
- PLADEX 336 3-20-88 ...... ... STARTUP PLACE INDEX
- PRIDEX 3120 3-20-88 ...... ... STARTUP PRIMARY INDEX
-
- 7
-
-
-
-
- RL0001 7 4-28-88 ...... ... STARTUP RELATIONSHIP FILE
- SOUNDS 35 7-01-88 ...... ... PRESENT SOUNDEX FILE
- SWAPIT 18 3-25-88 ...... ... PRESENT NAME SWAP TABLE
-
- FIELDS.LDS 160 7-31-88 ...... ... LDS USER FIELD FORMAT
- FIELDS.SAM 160 7-14-91 ...... ... SAMPLE USER FIELD FORMAT
- NAMTAB.SAM 252 3-20-88 ...... ... SAMPLE NAME CONVERT TABLE
-
-
- NEWFAM FILE DESCRIPTION:
- ************************
-
- AUXHB* These are AUXiliary HandBook files. They are just samples.
- You can build your own sets and divide them up by country
- or whatever you wish.
-
- Copying AUXHB2.GER to AUXHB2 will make the German file the
- active one.
-
- Copying AUXHB*.ENG to AUXHB* will change all to England.
-
- AUXMEN Present menu for AUX Files. Changed by user.
-
- FIELDS Present Format for User Definable Fields. Changed by user.
-
- HI0000 Sample history file. Format must be adhered to.
-
- MARKER Present Marker File. Changed by user. (Starter)
-
- NAMTAB Present Name Table. Smith to Schmiddt etc. Changed by user
-
- NOTEUD Present User Defined file. Changed by user. (Starter)
-
- NOTEVI Present Vital Note File. Changed by user. (Starter)
-
- PLADEX Place Index. (Starter)
-
- PRIDEX Primary Query Index (Starter)
-
- RL0001 Relationship File. (Starter)
-
- SOUNDS Present Soundex File. Changed by user.
-
- SWAPIT Present Name Swap Table. KA to CA etc. Changed by user.
-
- FIELDS.LDS Definable Fields Format for LDS Temple. Copy to FIELDS
-
- FIELDS.SAM Definable Fields Format Sample. Copy to FIELDS
-
- NAMTAB.SAM Name Table. Copy to NAMTAB
-
-
-
- 03.06
- *******************************************************************
- ****************** F I E L D L A Y O U T S ********************
- *******************************************************************
-
- These Field Layouts can be used if you want to transfer these files
- over to some other database program. This will allow you to use
-
- 8
-
-
-
-
- whatever functions they may have to offer & then return the files.
-
-
- NAMFIL FIELD LAYOUT (NAME FILE)(PERSONS VITAL STATISTICS):
- **********************************************************
-
- 001-033 (33) = FULL NAME (JONES JOHN PAUL (JOHNNY))
- 034-042 (09) = BIRTH DATE (C1934MY19)(CIRCA,YEAR,MONTH,DAY)
- 043-050 (08) = BIRTH PLACE (USCTNHBR)(COUNTRY,STATE,COUNTY,TOWN)
- 051-059 (09) = CHRISTENING DATE
- 060-067 (08) = CHRISTENING PLACE
- 068-076 (09) = 1ST MARRIAGE DATE
- 077-084 (08) = 1ST MARRIAGE PLACE
- 085-093 (09) = DEATH DATE
- 094-101 (08) = DEATH PLACE
- 102-110 (09) = BURIAL DATE
- 111-118 (08) = BURIAL PLACE
- 119-119 (01) = M=MALE F=FEMALE
- 120-120 (01) = B=LDS BAPTISM C=BIC (OPEN IF NON LDS)
- 121-121 (01) = E=LDS ENDOWMENT (OPEN IF NON LDS)
- 122-122 (01) = P=LDS SEALING TO PARENTS (OPEN IF NON LDS)
- 123-123 (01) = T=LDS TEMPLE MARRIAGE (OPEN IF NON LDS)
- 124-124 (01) = EDIT FLAG
- 125-128 (04) = PERSONS ID# (00D5)(DUHEX=BASE 32)(1 MILLION MAX)
-
-
- POINTS FIELD LAYOUT (RELATIONSHIP POINTERS ETC.):
- *************************************************
-
- 001-060 (60) = PRIMARY SOURCE
- 061-064 (04) = NATURAL FATHERS ID#
- 065-068 (04) = NATURAL MOTHERS ID#
- 069-072 (04) = 1ST SPOUSES ID#
- 073-076 (04) = 1ST CHILD'S ID#
- 077-080 (04) = SIBLINGS ID#
- 081-087 (07) = CLEARING HOUSE ID# (00RF5T2)(32 BILLION MAX)
- 088-091 (04) = NEXT SPOUSE'S EXTEND FILE POINTER
- 092-095 (04) = ADOPTION EXTEND FILE POINTER
- 096-098 (03) = HISTORY DISK NUMBER
- 099-100 (02) = LANGUAGE INDICATOR
- 101-109 (09) = OCCUPATION
- 110-113 (04) = NAMFIL RECORD POSITION LINK
-
-
- PLACES FIELD LAYOUT:
- ********************
-
- 001-009 (09) = PLACE ABBREVIATION (USCTNHMO)
- 010-014 (05) = COUNTY ABBREVIATION (NEWH)
- 015-019 (05) = STATE ABBREVIATION (CONN)
- 020-028 (09) = LATITUDE (12X34'56)(12 DEG, 34 MIN, 56 SEC)
- 029-038 (10) = LONGITUDE (123Y45'67)(123 DEG, 45 MIN, 42 SEC)
- 039-045 (07) = DATE ESTABLISHED (1830MY)
- 046-100 (55) = FULL NAME (Bountiful, Davis, Utah, USA)
-
-
- FIELD NOTES:
- ************
-
- The County & State abbreviations are optional. They were used on the
-
- 9
-
-
-
-
- old LDS Genealogy forms & may be used again.
-
- All place fields are left justified and there is a space delimiter at
- the end of each field.
-
- The Latitude & Longitude are optional at present. In the next release
- they will be used to locate places where the borders and names have
- been changed. A frame will be placed around a place, the X & Y
- dimension will give the frame size in miles. Two diagonal lines
- will be drawn (corner to corner) & the point they cross over will be
- the Latitude & Longitude. A table will be searched for name changes.
-
- Be sure to include a space after the commas in full place name.
-
-
-
- 03.07
- *******************************************************************
- ***************** P R O G R A M H I S T O R Y *****************
- *******************************************************************
-
-
- C&SC Inc. is not a large company. If it were smaller by one person it
- would no longer qualify as a company. There is only one programmer, one
- book keeper, one janitor, one laptop computer and one telephone SO FAR.
-
- Have no fear that the programmer will suddenly sneak away and leave you
- stranded. He is first and foremost a genealogist. He wrote this program
- for himself primarily and doesn't want to dump over ten years work. He
- will not abandon his baby. The customers that have remained with us over
- the years have received many hundreds of hours help at no charge. There
- has never been a profit up until now and we hope that may change; for our
- sake and our customers sake.
-
- As can be seen from the above feature descriptions this program has not
- been developed overnight. It is not a 90 day wonder toy. The first
- PEDIGROUP Sheet was developed in 1970 on a mainframe computer. It was done
- in the days when Punched Cards were in vogue, the video terminal made its
- debut and the Personal Computer was still a gleam in an engineers eye.
-
- From that day until the present the program has been in continuous change
- and advancement. Several very serious researchers made incessent and near
- impossible demands over the years. Because one lone engineer did the
- development very little effort was put into trying to market the program.
- We have been more interested in solving the problems of putting a computer
- to work as a genealogical research tool. Our marketing track record
- demonstrates that.
-
- In industry the boss decides when to shoot the engineer and get the
- product out the door. In this case there was no boss and the engineer
- didn't know when to quit.
-
-
-
- 03.08
- *******************************************************************
- ****************** C O M P U T E R W I S D O M ****************
- *******************************************************************
-
-
-
- 10
-
-
-
-
- USER / PROGRAMMER RELATIONSHIP:
- *******************************
-
- 1. THE PROGRAMMER suffers but once, the users suffer forever and in large
- groups. Make the programmer suffer as long as you can.
-
- 2. THE USER always has ten GEE I WISH I HADS after the program is written
- for every one they had before the program was written.
-
- 3. THE USER is always looking to find the "GOLDEN BUTTON" on their
- computer. That's the button that does all things for all people. It even
- thinks for you. Well such a button does not exist nor will it ever exist.
- Only the computer between our ears can do that. If our programmer could
- invent that BUTTON, he would have a large brand new fishing boat or a
- small island of his own in the South Pacific.
-
- 4. THE PROGRAMMER never knows when to quit. He is never finished. The boss
- (or his wife) can level a gun at his head and he will say JUST ONE MO TIME
- boss! He always has one more earth shaking idea or he will blame it on the
- users array of GEE I WISH I HADS.
-
- 5. To all those users with the USER FRIENDLY MANIA we say: NEVER TRUST A
- FRIENDLY COMPUTER! But they won't listen until a computer kills a years
- work when they are caught off guard by an over friendly computer. Backing
- up files must be less than a minute or people will neglect doing it. For
- this reason we use the Session File Backup.
-
-
- PROGRAMMING OBSERVATIONS:
- *************************
-
- 1. Versatility is inversely proportional to simplicity and directly
- proportional to complexity. The more you want the program to do, the more
- complex it and that *!%^& manual becomes. It's what we call a Trade-off in
- the computer game. You always have to give up one thing for another to
- some satisfactory degree. You have to live with that dilemma until you
- find that Golden Button. The more you want the computer to do the more you
- must do!
-
- 2. Putting a computer into the genealogical research game and satisfying
- everyones fondest desire is impossible. First and foremost there is no
- such thing as absolute accuracy in this game. Is anyone "absolutely" sure
- who their parents are? How do you put John Smith in the database with
- absolute assurance he is not yet in there amoung 50 million other Johannes
- Smythes? Going across language and spelling barriers is not easy.
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- 3. From the day the first baby computer blinked its little lights,
- programmers, like doting parents, have been speaking to it in strange
- unintelligable gibberish. BAL, SNOBOL, COBOL, LISP, SQL, FORTRAN, C, etc.
- Users have been screaming, "Why don't you talk to it in English you
- dummies!" The battle has been raging ever since. Programmers have been
- trying to drag the users into their camp and the users have been trying to
- drag the programmers into their camp. The users outnumber the programmers
- 100 to 1 plus the users have all the money. The users are winning. The
- programmers are screaming. To the user they now hold up the banner of
- ARTIFICIAL INTELLEGENCE in hopes they can end the war. It will not!
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- 4. If a genealogical program does not have extremely sophisticated QUERY
- TECHNIQUES (the way we talk to the computer) on the front end, IT IS NOT A
- GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM! It is little more than a linked forms
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- generator. Generating forms is a piece of cake; finding a person in a very
- large database to avoid duplication is quite another matter. You must
- never have a person in a linked database more than one time. If you can't
- query Agastua Isabella Sanctoclaro and come up with Isabel Agusta Sinclair
- as a duplication candidate, your program will become more and more
- worthless as the number of names grows. Genealogy has some unique query
- problems that no standard database can handle. SQL/Relational or not.
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- 5. DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE. SOMEDAY COMPUTERS WILL BE REPLACED BY PEOPLE!
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