It's a bit of a lottery

Each month I host a Technology Special Interest Group at a local society. Sometimes I have a set agenda and sometimes it is a bit of a free for all.

At the December meeting I had planned to teach people how to set up a free email account but a fellow member had encouraged a dozen members who were interested in the Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner to come along. I ditched my plan and spent an hour demonstrating and passing a Flip-Pal around. The fellow member then offered to put in a bulk order for Flip-Pals to Gould Genealogy (Cheaper postage if you buy in bulk). I volunteered that I would show them how to use their new scanners once they arrived and didn't think any more about it.

I didn't have a formal agenda for today's meeting I just said on a Society blog post entitled Did you get a new gadget for Christmas? "All members are invited to join us. Please be ready to share news of any new resources you have found or gadgets you have acquired."

Flip-Pal Bag

When I arrived there were three new faces and a couple I already knew. They all had something in common - they were clutching Flip-Pal bags in mint condition but none as pretty as my pink one. They had come along to learn how to use their new toys. (I don't know how many of our members actually bought Flip-Pals on that order - perhaps Alona from Gould could tell me).

So the agenda for our meeting was set. It was fantastic because the attendees really wanted to learn, it was a small group so I could give individual attention and it was on a topic that I like and know a bit about.

As the day was hot and I had to leave Mr GeniAus in charge of the three grandchildren we are minding I wasn't too enthusiastic about attending the meeting today. But after that successful, impromptu workshop I am feeling quite in the pink.

Like a Scout

Just like a good scout I want to Be Prepared.

As I get ready to head to East Gosford for the Central Coast Family History Fair tomorrow I am packing my kit for the day.Tomorrow I'll be a working girl on the Gould Genealogy/Unlock the Past tables at the Fair. I'll put the Flip-Pal mobile scanner through its paces and answer questions fairgoers may have about Geneacruising.

So what will I be packing?

Bottled water - I'll be doing a bit of talking so need to keep my whistle wet
Peanut butter sandwiches - I might not have time for lunch
Peppermints - need to keep halitosis at bay
My camera with spare battery - can't miss an opportunity to get pix for this blog
Business cards - although I'm usually too shy to hand them out

My pretty pink bag

Some old photos and an ancient family album - for demos
Flip-Pal scanner and its pretty pink bag - essential for demos
Spare rechargeable batteries and charger
Spare SD card - just in case
Small laptop - for downloading of photos
My Galaxy tablet - to use as an internet hotspot for my laptop

The bonus for me is that I will be able to chat with a lot of fellow researchers, buy some resources and hear some talks by experts.

Moving out of the Genealogy Zone

There's a world out there beyond genealogy and next month I'm going to dip my toes into its waters. I have been invited to speak at the 15th Australian Computer Conference for Seniors in Sydney.

Although my topic, My Pal Flip-Pal, is not about genealogy I will certainly be making many references to the topic as I show the attendees how they can use the Flip-Pal to digitise and preserve their precious photos and documents.

I am most impressed by the quality and breadth of the speakers and topics on the draft program for this event. It is pleasing to note that a talk on family history by Allan and Joy Murrin has been included on the program. As a user of Dragon speech recognition software I am a little disappointed that I be speaking at the time time as the Dragon representative but thems the breaks!

This program would appeal not just to seniors but to anyone with an interest in technology. One can register for attendance for one or both days of the event.

Perhaps I will see you in Sydney on Wednesday 13 November. 

Central Coast Family History Fair

Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner

I am looking forward to attending this event with Alan Phillips from Gould Genealogy where I will be demonstrating how the Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner can help you tame your collections of photo and documents. I'll also be happy to share my experiences on Unlock the Past Genealogy cruises.   If you are going to the fair please drop by and say G'day.

The Fair is on 2 November at Gosford City Lion’s Hall, Building 3, rear 8 Russell Drysdale Street, East Gosford NSW 2250

Full details for the event can be found here: http://www.nswactfhs.org/whatson/index.html.

R&R

A pleasant breeze wafted through my balcony door as I spent the morning polishing my final three presentations for the Unlock the Past 3rd History and Genealogy Cruise. As it was another day in port I was able to sleep in and wake naturally rather than answering the call of the alarm app on my tablet (it works!).

Fellow genealogists enjoying quiet time in the library

View from my balcony

I did enjoy my breakfast of smoked salmon in the restaurant - there's nothing like being waited on at brekkie time. For lunch I wanted to put my feet under a table so, as the formal restaurant was closed, I opted for Johnny Rockets, an American hamburger joint on board, where I was waited on and had the accompaniment of singing and dancing waiters.

Dancing waiters at Johnny Rockets

It seems as though there was a bit of interest in my afternoon talk, "Flip-Pal and Picasa" as I was scheduled to talk in the main conference room again. Thanks to those stalwarts who came to hear this talk and contributed to the conversation in the session. The audience was full of Flip-Pal owners while a coouple who weren't members of the Flip_Pal brigade purchased them after the session.

Paul Milner once again educated us after dinner. His topic "Irish Land Records" gave us details of many resources that might hep us in our search for our Irish ancestors. My brain was overflowing with information by the time Paul completed his talk.

Having set sail from Noumea we now have four full days of learning ahead of us - my brain will surely burst.

Earlybirds eager to learn

You need to arrive early to grab a good seat

Good things come to those who wait...

From time to time since February I have tried to accomplish a task but have failed dismally.  I finally managed it today.

Back in February I conducted two video interviews at Rootstech. One I uploaded from the conference hotel to Youtube with no issues . The other slightly larger file just would not upload for me. When I got home I tried again - Failure. I tried a few video converters I found on the web - Failure. Every few weeks I would have another try - Failure.

Yesterday Thomas MacEntee on Facebook mentioned a video conversion program,  Prism Video Converter http://www.nchsoftware.com/prism/index.html. I downloaded the software and thought I would have a go. My first effort produced a file that was going to take over 300 minutes to upload to Youtube - Failure. So I played around a bit and found a setting to compress the file; I didn't quite know what I was doing but I did it anyway. Hey Presto - I ended up with a .avi file that was 1/10th the size of my original. Thank you, Thomas.

The video quality is not as crisp as on the original but it's way better than many files on Youtube. As with the video with Darrin Lythgoe I am embarrassed by my facial expressions and hand waving. Perhaps I need some Botox to stabilise my face!

Anyway, for your viewing pleasure, I announce the delayed release of my video with Diane and Walt from Flip-Pal.

The Other Side of the Fence

Knowing that I have had a Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner for some time Alan Phillips from Gould Genealogy, who is now importing these devices into Australia, asked me if I would demonstrate the gadget during a couple of breaks at the recent Genealogy Congress in Adelaide. I must not have blotted my copybook at that event as Alan has invited me to do a few repeat performances.

GeniAus at work Photo Source: Carole Riley Google+ post

I spent a couple of pleasant days at the Shoalhaven Family History Fair  in Nowra demonstrating the Flip-Pal. As well as demonstrating the scanner on the  Gould Genealogy  stand at the Unlock the Past Brisbane Expo I gave three talks about using the Flip-Pal and organising one's images with Picasa. my three other presentations were on Geneablogging, Geneawebinars and Google+ for Genealogy. My latest appearance was at the Parramatta Unlock the Past event last Friday where I put the-Pal through its paces in the breaks between the talks at the Unlock the Past seminar. 

I have enjoyed my new role as super-salesperson. That I was employed to meet and chat with other genealogists and given an opportunity to attend three extra genealogy events was a welcome opportunity for me. If you'd like to see the Flip-Pal in action I will be showing it off on the  Gould Genealogy stand at the 28th Annual Conference of the NSW & ACT Association of Family History Societies in September and on the 3rd Unlock the Past Genealogy Cruise next February.

I was prompted to write this post after reading Lynn Palermo's post yesterday. Without the support of Gould I would not have been able to attend either the Shoalhaven or Brisbane events.

Is the joining of small images into one big image really as good as stated?

In a comment on my  Family History Through the Alphabet – F is for …Greedy  post where I sang the praises of Flip-Pal mobile scanners Sharon  asked "Is the joining of small images into one big image really as good as stated?"

Sharon, I wasn't sure that the stitching would be as good as the people from Flip-Pal stated so had to check it out. The results speak for themselves.

This was my very first stitching effort in which I stitched my early scans 0015 to 0018 together. It was a large photo (too big for an album). I am wondering if the kids will use it in a slideshow at my wake. 

Image 1 Old girl, Poor dolphin

I scanned and stitched this deteriorating old photo as a demo for a lady at The Shoalhaven Family History Fair last weekend. With a bit of tweaking in photo imaging software it should look pretty schmick. The lady bought a Flip-Pal on the spot.

Image 2 - Old photo

 Just in case the stitches previously done were flukes I grabbed the copy of Inside History Magazine that was in my laptop bag and scanned it just now.

Image 3 Inside History Magazine

You will note the raggy edges on Images 1 and 3, these are visible because I haven't cropped the images to get rid of the of the background on which the items were placed for scanning. On my Image 3 the baby's waving hand is out of focus as it is on the magazine cover.

Pretty Impressive!

Family History Through the Alphabet – F is for …Greedy

When I joined this challenge I decided that my theme for this alphabet series would be technology and its relationship to genealogy because that is what I love. I also decided that I would highlight each week just one of the Apps, Blogs, Connections, Devices, Etc that help me negotiate my genealogical journey.


To date I have managed to do just that but I was Flummoxed when I got to F because there were a Few Favourites that I just couldn't ignore so, in this post, I will look at more than one thing. Hence F is for Greedy. In true old Librarian Fashion I will list these in alphabetical order:


Family Historian is my newest challenge. I blogged recently about my decision to change my genealogy database software from The Master Genealogist to Family Historian and thus I have reverted from confident user status to that of a beginner. I do not regret my decision at all as each day I find some element of the program that supports my decision to make the change. I am one happy old learner. If you would like to give Family Historian a test run you can download a free 30 day trial from here. 


Familysearch What can I say? Like many genealogists I owe so much to the Familysearch organisation for the work they do in digitising, preserving and sharing  birth, marriage, death, probate and other records. The Familysearch Centers and Libraries around the world are staffed by experts and volunteers who welcome and encourage genealogists to use their facilities at no charge. I am in awe of the great work done by Familysearch.

Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner I love this little gadget that I have had for the past eighteen months. By bringing it out in repositories and showing it around at events I have developed a group of envious genealogists who have to date been unable to get their hands on one of these little workhorses in Australia. I purchased mine in the US. The good news is that Flip-Pals are now available in Australia through Gould Genealogy. 


I must disclose that I have helped Gould by demonstrating the Flip-Pal at a couple of recent genealogy events and have more dates to do so. As a beginner in the salesperson stakes I am on a winner - I don't have to sell these gadgets - once people know what they do they buy them without any pressure exerted on my part.

My Pal - Flip-Pal

I have been a fan of the Flip-Pal mobile scanner since I purchased mine at Rootstech 2011.

Many of my Australian friends in genealogy have been quite envious of my little Pal and have lusted after one for themselves.  The good news is that they are now available for order in Australia from Gould Genealogy. 

Alan Phillips asked me if I would help out on the Gould stand at Congress today and tomorrow with demonstrations of the device. I had great fun at morning tea and lunch putting Gould's demo Flip-Pal through its paces. I didn't have to do any selling - these little devices sell themselves. 

Thanks to Michelle Nichols who took this snap of Geniaus playing salesperson and emailed it to me. 

I'll be back on the Gould stand during the breaks tomorrow (Saturday) so, if you are around, please come and say hello and I'll put the Flip-Pal through its paces for you.

Flip-Pal available in Australia

Thanks to Jennifer who made this comment on my blog yesterday about the availability of the Flip-Pal scanner in Australia. I had previously blogged about my nifty little unit that I purchased at Rootstech in February this year. A number of readers were frustrated because they could not purchase one in Australia.

At $AU219 the price is more than that in the US (but isn't that always the way for tech in Australia).

Jennifer said...

This place in Australia appears to sell it.
http://www.digitalcentre.com.au

http://www.digitalcentre.com.au/p/4542776/flip-pal-mobile-scanner.html

November 29, 2011 11:39 AM

Do you know?

Following on the advice of Lorine McGinnis-Schulze I have been using my Flip-Pal to scan old photos while sitting on the couch watching television or babysitting.

I have just scanned several hundred of my Dad's many of which are labelled. There are some images of people I have never heard of - army mates, people from his home town, Canowindra, and some colleagues from the NSW Police Force. There are labelled images of places where he served in the war plus some great historical images of the Canowindra area. Similarly Mum has photos of people from her youth plus a few images of the Cobar area.  These images would be a valuable resource for those researching these people and places.

So, from time to time, on this blog I will post one of these photos and maybe someone with an interest might contact me. These posts probably won't be too relevant to my readers in the Northern Hemisphere but with luck they might just reach a relative over the seas.

Scanning Station

As a result of my recent retirement and things learnt in a webinar this week I am getting serious about scanning.

Filing is not my forte; I have been a little lax lately as I knew retirement was approaching and that I  soon would have lots of time to sort out papers. The result is a safety hazard on my study floor ie a couple of boxes of papers for filing.  When I receive a paper document or photograph I usually add any data I can glean to my database and toss the resource into a cardboard box for filing in my genealogy folders.

I had intended putting all of this in order, filing it and, at some later date, scanning the contents of all my folders. I now realise that that would mean double handling of the unfiled docs. So I made a decision to scan all of those docs before I filed them away. With this decision made I had to think about scanning. I need to make it easy for myself to do this task or my good intentions will fly out the window.

My Flip-Pal Mobile scanner is good for scanning when I am out and about or for things I need to email in a hurry but it doesn't scan in tiff format. The need to scan in tiff was reinforced in the webinar this week. That means that I should use my desktop scanner which, although it is a few years old, does a sterling job. Since moving to Windows Vista I have had numerous problems with the scanner and laptop crashing. I bit the bullet and downloaded new drivers for the scanner this week but that didn't help the situation.

Then I remembered my netbook that sits on a shelf when I am not travelling. This tech toy runs Windows XP. I wondered if it would have the guts to deal with large scanning jobs. I downloaded the drivers, plugged in the scanner, did two scans (after which the Vista laptop crashes), held my breath and kept on scanning for a couple of hours. I tried again the next day and it worked like a dream.

Hey presto, I now have a permanent scanning station set up in my study so there is no excuse for not scanning documents when they arrive.

I already have a filing system set up for soft copies of documents on an external drive (backed up to another external drive). So all I have to do is save the new scans into a folder "Genealogy scans to be sorted", rename them, plug the hard drive into the netbook and transfer them into their appropriate folders.

And while the scanner groans as it scans huge tiff files I can paly on my shiny new toy.

Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner In Australia

I don't know of any other Australians who have a Flip-Pal mobile scanner.  Some of my Australian  GeniMates are envious of my little toy in its emerald green case that I purchased at the recent Rootstech Conference in Salt Lake City.

A number of Australians are wondering when the Flip-Pal will be available in Australia.  I mentioned this to the people at Flip-Pal when I finally registered my unit this week. They responded  with thie message for my Australian friends:

"As you well know, we do not yet distribute in Australia.  We are actively
investigating what that would take.  It is a matter of both the
distribution/support processes as well as regulatory approvals and it is
hard to set a date for those kinds of things. Just have your friends
regularly check our website.

Thanks for your inquiry.

Happy Scanning!"


My Flip-Pal sits beside my computer ready for action. If a document up to about A4 size comes my way I immediately scan it with the Flip-Pal. The procedure for scanning small documents is easier and more time effective than scanning with my larger scanner. My light little Pal goes with me in my laptop bag when I visit libraries, archives  and elderly aunts.

If you don't know about this marvellous item take a look at this video in which Dear Myrtle demonstrates a Flip-Pal.

The Good Guys were as good as their word

Resting beside me on my bed is my new toy, a Flip-Pad mobile scanner. I blogged yeterday about how this item was on my shopping list.

After a full morning of sessions at Rootstech I went down to the exhibition hall at 3:00 to see if the new batch of scanners had arrived to find a long queue of people. I discovered that they were all waitng in line to purchase one of these nifty gadgets. Ithink the Flip-Pal must be one of the success stories of the conference as I think they sold all of the extra units that were delivered.

As it's nearly midnight I will refrain from opening the package so you will hear about this new toy, that is not available in Australia,  after I open and play with it on Sunday.

The Good Guys from Flip-Pal

Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner

In contrast to my experience with Dell at Rootstech was my experience with the people who are peddling the Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner, another item on my US shopping list. Fellow Rootstech Official  Bloggers had been singing the praises of the gadget and had given it stunning reviews. These gadgets are not yet available in Australia.

When I wandered over to their booth in the middle of the day brandishing my Amex card I was made to feel most welcome. I had to wait a while to talk to them as they were very busy enthusiastically demonstrating the device to the people gathered at the booth. When I spoke to the genteman there he related that they had sold all of their stock but were waiting on another 80 units that they hoped would arrive. He was attentive and gave me a good hearing, I filled out an order form and left feeling that someone was interested in selling me a product.

The Good Guys

At the end of the day I wandered back to the booth to see if the 80 units had arrived. They hadn't but the lady on the booth assured me that she wanted me to have one of them to take back to Australia in my luggage. If I don't manage to purchase one of these I will be disappointed but not bitter because of the delightful manner of the representatives of this company.

Thank you for your interest in me.