tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post1846802083332806467..comments2024-03-21T19:08:05.737-07:00Comments on Genealogy's Star: Reflections on Technology and the Changes to ComeJames Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02989059644120454647noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-11927208531875857882012-11-21T05:04:22.243-07:002012-11-21T05:04:22.243-07:00Technology is a challenge for me. I reluctantly fa...Technology is a challenge for me. I reluctantly fall into the senior citizen, about to retire age group. Still, I am blessed to have found as many ancestors as I've found. I know full well that if I had been this age 30 years ago, without computers, my tree would have remained very sparse. I've found ancestors in at least 28 different states and I don't know how many counties, and I could never have done that pre-computer days. <br /><br />I dread the day I have to quit doing genealogy and possibly even quit reading, because of eyesight issues. I dread the day that I can no longer afford the subscriptions to paid sites that I have. I dread the day I can no longer afford to go to even a nearby courthouse to look for records. I am truly blessed to be able to do these things now, and Thanksgiving seems a good time to be grateful for what I can do, instead of focusing on what I can't do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-75709164588514052932012-11-20T10:33:10.916-07:002012-11-20T10:33:10.916-07:00James, thank you for the thought-provoking post.
...James, thank you for the thought-provoking post.<br /><br />You pointed out, "Now think about the cost of obtaining a computer, monitor and other devices and realize that the purchase is likely to have to be upgraded periodically. I hear over and over again, especially from older genealogists, that they do not have the resources to constantly spend money on new computers and upgraded programs."<br /><br />Yes, but lack of resources is not limited to the oldest set. Large numbers in USA have been without full-time employment for years. Large numbers of the full-time employed are earning so little money they qualify for programs such as food stamps. Large numbers of the theoretically employed are part-timers (including "on-call") who are lucky to get 20 paid hours per week. Part-time employees do not have unemployment insurance paid in for them, so when laid off or injured on the job have only the possibility of meagre cash-assistance programs available to them, and only if they have dependent children (single adults are almost entirely excluded from safety-net programs).<br /><br />Vast numbers of those who do have home computers or other devices do not have access to reliable broadband internet service (and where I live, cell phone service does not work indoors) -- the persons working maybe 16 hours a week in big-box retail would not have $180/month or more for required-bundle cable and internet service.<br /><br />Libraries' public internet access is limited, the more so as they cut back on hours, staff and services. The network of FamilySearch centers is nowhere near as comprehensive and accessible (in terms of days/hours open) as some seem to believe.<br /><br />Yet website engineers toodle merrily along, making their sites less and less back-compatible in order to cater to the most affluent 1/3 of the population, and either inaccessible or much harder to use for others.<br />Geoloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12050268303916428230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-13751192882987210132012-11-20T09:15:49.200-07:002012-11-20T09:15:49.200-07:00Great thoughts. I fall in the middle age wise, bu...Great thoughts. I fall in the middle age wise, but identify with most of the challenges you outlined either myself or in those close to me, both older and younger. What amazes me is the rapid changes even within my lifetime. I did a presentation a while back on this topic that may be of interest to you and your readers - http://www.slideshare.net/bakers84/the-evolution-of-technology-and-family-historyBen Bakernoreply@blogger.com