Trove Tuesday - An Apple Tree

One of the first computer labs I managed in the mid eighties was one of Apple 11 computers in the days before I got hooked by the genealogy bug.

I found this article about an early genealogy database software on Trove and am wondering if any of my genimates used this Australian program to maintain their data.

1985 'Genealogy program for Apples.', The Canberra Times(ACT : 1926 - 1995), 30 September, p. 20, viewed 1 September, 2014, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128258369

I just spent $AU9.35

Quite a few years ago I had a website called Too Hot to Handle: a cyberhome for Australian Currys.

It was a pretty ugly and basic site on which had over 8,000 references to Currys, not necessarily related to me, but who were descended from Australians who shared my maiden name - Curry. I took the site down about ten years ago but kept a copy of  the site and all associated files and spreadsheets.

My old website

I have always wanted to carry on with this surname study but felt that I could not undertake a worldwide study on Curry, a name that is relatively common. I joined the Guild of One-Name Studies thinking that I would register another less common name in my tree for a world wide study (and I might still do that) as I couldn't register my Curry interest with their current guidelines..

This week I learnt of the launch of the new Surname Society that had been mooted on social media, when I read their press release and visited their website I was impressed by how much work the committee had done prior to launching the Society. I like the way that the group is using social media and hangouts to connect with members around the globe and that its committtee is international.  When I saw the names behind the Society I knew that it was in good hands so tonight I coughed up  $AU9.35 or Five GBP to join. Within a minute I had received an activation code  to enter the Members' area on the site which I have yet to explore.

As the requirements to register a surname with this group are not as prescriptive as those of the Guild I think I will resurrect my Australian Curry study and register it with The Surname Society.

GAGs - GeniAus' Gems - 14 November 2014

For this 8th edition of GAGs I have decided to highlight posts around a particular theme so I have been ignoring  general topics. With Remembrance Day being celebrated this week I have chosen posts with a WW1 or military theme.

I have enjoyed the following and many other posts written with a commemorative theme over recent days. Presenting in no particular order some selections from my RSS feeds this week: 

1. Shauna 

http://www.shaunahicks.com.au/frederick-trevaskis-remembrance-day-tribute/

2. Lenore

http://empirecall.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/memories-dear-stanley-vaughan.html

3. Clan MacFarlane

http://clanmacfarlane.org.au/2nd-lieutenant-archibald-henry-macfarlane-a-company-11th-battalion-a-i-f/

4. Pauleen 

http://cassmob.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/lest-we-forget-those-who-came-home/

5. IwiKiwi

http://blog.iwikiwi.com/2014/11/at-the-going-down-of-the-sun-and-in-the-morning-remembrance-sunday

6. Crissouli

http://astheywere.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/irish-anzacs-in-ww1.htm

7. Sharon

http://shazlex.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/winiam-state-school-roll-of-honour.html

8. Thames New Zealand

http://thamesnz-genealogy.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/thames-nz-armistice-11-november-1918.html

9. Nola

http://nolamackey2.wordpress.com/2014/11/09/world-war-i-behind-enemy-lines-the-drummond-sisters-1/

10. Mosman 1914-1918 Project

http://mosman1914-1918.net/project/blog/sydney-v-emden

11. Carnamah Historical Society

http://carnamah.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/remembrance-day.html

12. Canada Bay Connections

http://canadabayconnections.wordpress.com/2014/11/05/bringing-the-boys-home/

From the Archives - Twitter Followers - Quality or Quantity?

From time to time I come across an old post and that I think is worth reposting. It's three and a half years since I wrote this. I now have 1,298 followers and I follow 693 tweeps.

Twitter Followers - Quality or Quantity?

I am sometimes disappointed when I see messages like " Just noticed we're on 995 followers. Can we break thru the barrier?" that was posted on behalf of a government organisation that I admire this morning.  Another Australian cultural institution this morning tweeted "Hip hip hooray for our 1000th (don't try to say that out loud) follower." Another Australian organisation recently gave a prize to their 1000th follower.

I realise that these places see Twitter as a marketing tool, and it is a valuable one, but who are they trying to reach? Everyone or those who are likely to benefit from their services via the information they post on Twitter?

I just wonder how adding more users like  TowPimp (Free Junk Car Removal Victoria Bc) or M9LipsYouro ♥MyLipsSuxUDry♥  will benefit these organisations. 

A lot of individuals who have twitter accounts also blow their trumpets when they reach milestone numbers of followers. I hope that all of my followers gain some value from my tweets but I sincerely doubt that some do and I cannot fathom why they follow me.

I get a real buzz when someone from the worlds of genealogy, education, technology or libraries follows me. When someone I respect from these fields or a family member follows it is cause for a happy dance. 

I have amongst my followers a Mobile Mechanic from New Zealand (I'm not floating my car across the Tasman for a service), The unofficial biggest Broncos fan (I detest Rugby League), Leonor Brockmann whose image is a pair of silicon enhanced mammary glands, HotelSuggest  a price comparison service for hotels,  DealsFromSFO  Deals from San Francisco and ConceptionAU - 

we have over 1,000 Egg Donors and Surrogates available now. I am flummoxed as to what value these tweeps would get from following me and, as I am not interested in them or their services, I certainly won't be following them. Perhaps they share some of my interests but I doubt it.

I could not and would not shout for joy if and when I reach 500 Twitter followers as some of them are definitely not members of my intended target group. 

I'll back Quality over Quantity any time.