I just started using Geni. It is a social genealogy site, which lets you start building a family tree in a simple, elegant interface. When you add relatives, you can specify detailed information including email addresses. Those members can then be invited to edit their own profiles and complete their branches of the family tree.
It seems to be a very viral and interactive way of approaching genealogy. I have had usability problems with similar software in the past, as well as issues with gathering the information on my own. It is hard for a few family members to spearhead the effort to create and maintain everything. With this approach, it seems easier for an entire family to participate in the effort.
A major problem with online genealogy information though, is privacy. Comments on the Digg story include a limited discussion of the possible problems with untrustworthy administrators and/or security breaches. A cursory exploration reveals that Geni is founded and backed by well known people, but the strength of that guarantee is subjective. Hopefully, user privacy will be protected according to the site's policy. For my part, I will just enter basic information and leave it up to each of my family members to decide whether they want to add more detail like I have.
digg this story
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Digg Fixed Support for the new Blogger
I have been a user of Digg for quite some time now. Since I started using Blogger recently, I have wanted to leverage Digg's support for posting interesting stories directly to my blog.
As described in a Blogger Help Group thread and a story, Digg had problems with their support of the new version of Blogger at the end of last year.
When the iPhone was announced and posted on Digg, I really wanted to start using that feature and found out the hard way that support for the new Blogger was broken.
As shown in these screenshots, the "Blog Settings" have been revamped in the user profile section of the site.
Both the old and new versions of Blogger are in the list of supported software now. If you select the new Blogger, you are directed to Google to grant access to Digg.
After choosing your blog in a drop down list, you are ready to use the "Blog It" feature on Digg stories.
As described in a Blogger Help Group thread and a story, Digg had problems with their support of the new version of Blogger at the end of last year.
When the iPhone was announced and posted on Digg, I really wanted to start using that feature and found out the hard way that support for the new Blogger was broken.As shown in these screenshots, the "Blog Settings" have been revamped in the user profile section of the site.
Both the old and new versions of Blogger are in the list of supported software now. If you select the new Blogger, you are directed to Google to grant access to Digg.
After choosing your blog in a drop down list, you are ready to use the "Blog It" feature on Digg stories.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Travelling to Houston
I have work to do in Houston tomorrow and Friday, so we are on the road tonight. We made the obligatory pit-stop at Buc-ee's for refreshments and are ready to finish the trek. So far, travelling with a newborn has been very pleasant though I probably just jinxed the rest of our drive by typing that. My parents will be graciously hosting us these few days. I think Michael's grandmother will be taking some days off of work too. We are looking forward to a great time!
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Michael's First Piece of Mail?
Jean and I got the usual amount of advertisements, bills, and catalogs at the mailbox today. Michael however, at just over 8 days old, got his first package!
Let's see what it could be...
It is a cool, personalized stuffed-animal-blanket combination! Thanks David, Meredith, and family for a wonderful present!
Let's see what it could be...
It is a cool, personalized stuffed-animal-blanket combination! Thanks David, Meredith, and family for a wonderful present!
Superbowl XLI
Jean and I are going to take Michael to his first party tomorrow afternoon for the Superbowl. The really hilarious part, is that we did not even know which teams were playing. I was hoping the New Orleans Saints would make it this year but that was apparently not the way the cookie crumbled. Naturally, we need someone to root for, so we just took the NFL's quick, 5 question test. We will be with Da Bears... what about you?
Friday, February 2, 2007
Postpartum Visits and Photos
With our son turning one week old today, Jean and I decided to celebrate by taking him out for a walk and on his first HEB run! We just got back, so I decided it was a good time to take a breather and post about some of our experiences last week.
I finally took some time to upload the set of photos from our short stay in the hospital's postpartum wing one week ago. We had a wonderful time considering the extent of our sleep deprivation and the shock of being new parents. Again, the nurses were wonderfully helpful to us and incredibly nurturing to our son.
As you can see in the photos, we had visitors on Saturday after we had recovered. It was great to have friends over to meet our son. Michael did surprisingly well considering how much activity was thrust upon him. He is charming everyone already!
The coolest hospital feature I observed while we were there was the baby security system they have. Michael had a tag attached to his umbilical cord that served to notify the hospital doors when he was close. The doors would not open if a child was nearby, unless the security was overridden by a nurse. Even the elevators were protected in this way. Pretty darn cool and comforting to a new father.
I finally took some time to upload the set of photos from our short stay in the hospital's postpartum wing one week ago. We had a wonderful time considering the extent of our sleep deprivation and the shock of being new parents. Again, the nurses were wonderfully helpful to us and incredibly nurturing to our son.
As you can see in the photos, we had visitors on Saturday after we had recovered. It was great to have friends over to meet our son. Michael did surprisingly well considering how much activity was thrust upon him. He is charming everyone already!
The coolest hospital feature I observed while we were there was the baby security system they have. Michael had a tag attached to his umbilical cord that served to notify the hospital doors when he was close. The doors would not open if a child was nearby, unless the security was overridden by a nurse. Even the elevators were protected in this way. Pretty darn cool and comforting to a new father.
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