[APG Public List] Free genealogical lectures on web

[Debbie Parker Wayne]

Hi Barbara,

I agree completely that for a large number of APG members the choice of 
Silverlight may have presented no problem. And I also agree having good 
quality images of the slides and being able to see and hear the lecturer 
is a good way to present these programs. Maybe these things made 
Silverlight a good choice. Since I no longer work for a computer company 
my knowledge about new products is based only on magazine articles and 
online tech sites that I read. I can't say with certainty if Silverlight 
was the best choice or not. But what I do know is I can not afford to 
risk losing or impairing access to my computer in the middle of a 
project by installing a program with many problems reported on computers 
with a similar configuration to mine.

Without doing some investigation of the options available I can't offer 
an opinion on what program might have been a better choice. If APG has 
or creates a committee to help advise on technical matters I would be 
happy to serve, as I would guess some of the other more technical APG 
members would be. At the very least, we should be able to explain to the 
members why certain choices were made that limit the usability of an 
offering by all members. Those choices will always exist. For example, I 
will probably never be able to take the Boston University certificate 
program. I only have access to satellite or dial-up internet from my 
location. I was told the BU program requires higher-speed access to 
function properly. In this case my choice of residence limits my 
options. Although I am disappointed I fully understand why I cannot 
participate in the BU program.

I tried to carefully phrase my comments so they would not be taken as a 
criticism of what has been done for the PMC lectures. But I would like 
to know that when APG leaders do have control over the process for 
offerings such as this, which they didn't have in this case, 
consideration will be given to making the offering usable for as many 
members as possible--Mac, Windows, LINUX, or whatever--or explain why 
the limitations exist.

As I mentioned, our computers are important tools in our businesses. 
Most of us can't afford to lose time restoring our computer after some 
program has caused a problem. I was a test/diagnostic engineer for many 
years and I am probably more cautious about installing programs than 
many people are. Having been burned many times over the years I never 
install new software without investigating first to see what negative 
impact there might be and making a FULL backup. One of my computer goals 
is to always have a full backup--but never, ever need to use it. <smile>

As I stated in my previous message, I am just offering opinions. I know 
not everyone will agree with my opinions. I try to consider that most 
computer users allow Microsoft complete control over the MS software and 
patches that get installed on their computers, but more and more people 
are moving to Mac and/or to Open Software. More people are moving to 
netbooks that generally are less powerful than a desktop. I would hope 
our leaders will consider this as they make decisions that will impact 
the membership.

Regards, Debbie

Debbie Parker Wayne   
Wayne Research -- http://debbiewayne.com/



Barbara Mathews wrote on 12/19/2009 11:12 AM:
> I run a Toshiba and use Windows Internet Explorer. I was super pleased with
> the online lectures that the FamilySearch people put up as a service to APG.
> I love being able to see the lecturer, hear the lecture, and look at the
> slides all at the same time.
>
> ...
>
> Perhaps APG members can offer suggestions about other types of recorded
> lecture facilities to use. Just remember, that the solution you offer MUST
> work on the predominant IBM with IE platform, that it should be free, and
> that it must transfer seamlessly to other platforms or software such as
> Apple or Firefox. Please offer us solutions to what you see as a shortfall
> in the recorded lecture trial run.
>