Jean wrote: I've heard some saying the work-around clipboard compared to linked events is time consuming and bulky. Time consuming... I'm still celebrating the addition of a clipboard that lets me add an event to 15 people with a click of a button... yes on each person... but still I smile every time. Just my POV. [Cafi Cohen] Hi Jean -- A true event-linking function (I'll abandon the term "witness") is even faster AND -- probably more importantly -- much more easily edited.
[Jean] Bulky... here is where I'm worried about what you mean and would really like those of you who want linked events to tell me exactly what you think that would be. [Cafi Cohen] I don't know if I used the term "bulky" or not, but if I did, it refers to the fact that it is tedious to pull up, say, 5-10 individual event-editing screens to insert the same event into the chronologies of 5-10 different people (or more, sometimes). In addition, reporting options that allow you to include or exclude events-linked-to-a-principal, simplify report creation for different audiences. For example, I may choose to include linked-events for research purposes but exclude them when sending a report to a non-genealogically-oriented relative. [Jean] My focus is on having software that makes research easier, faster and as productive as possible in the limited time I have in a library. Others may have a different focus. I want all the info found in every census, will, letter... anything in an event to show up in full for everyone mentioned. [Cafi Cohen] This research orientation is EXACTLY what the event-linking function was designed to automate. A nice additional touch would be the OPTION to automatically add event links for births, marriages, and deaths of first degree relatives. Legacy does much of this on the individual chronology report, a wonderful feature. [Jean] For example, if I am researching a John Smith, son of Sam Smith... I want all the info on everyone listed in the Sam Smith household from the 1880 census where John is 12, going to school ..... on John's chronology view. I do not want a statement there saying that John is listed as Sam's son in the 1880 census. When I run into research problems i often start researching everyone listed on the chronology view and often find my person from info on the others. I don't want to wander around various screens of relatives to find info when it can all be there on that screen. I'd rather spend a bit more time at home inputting the info and have less time needed in the library using the info. [Cafi Cohen] You are using the chronology view exactly as I do. I would just like a cleaner way of linking events from first-degree relatives (and others) than we currently have. That said, I have to tell you that I am a refugee from one of the programs with an event-linking function. I still use The Other Program to product certain reports, but Legacy remains my principal data-entry vehicle. Why? Three reasons: (1) The other program got to be NO FUN. Legacy, for some reason, is fun. (2) It was difficult to transfer material from The Other Program to Legacy or any other program. Yes, everything transferred. But, when you go from a program that has places for items A-Z to a program that has places for items A-P, you need to do a LOT clean-up, even if you are proficient at tweaking the GEDCOM options. I much prefer to transfer from the A-P program into the A-Z program for a few tasks (even though the A-Z program MAY be a better research vehicle). (3) 2-3 years ago, The Other Program actually existed for several months without the option to produce a printed Family Group Sheet (or one of the other principal reports - details escape me). Of course, I could have simply avoided the upgrade until the FGS report existed, but I never envisioned that happening. Legacy developers have never left us in that kind of pickle. [Jean] So I'm asking those of you who want this linked event feature: 1. exactly what do you feel would be the benefits? [Cafi Cohen] See above. [Jean] 2. would it be canned and a possible problem or only be canned insofar as the events are canned but can be edited? [Cafi Cohen] What do you mean by "canned"? [Jean] 2. could it interfere with my needs as I've explained them or could I ignore it and continue to do what I do? [Cafi Cohen] What you are doing -- clipboarding events to applicable individuals -- seems to be working fine for you. As an in-depth (way beyond first-degree collaterals) cluster genealogist, I am doing the same thing. Ultimately, the important thing is to get as much out of EVERY source as you can and put it into a form that will further your research. That is what you are doing, using the most advanced features Legacy now offers. Best, Cafi Cohen Arroyo Grande, CA Legacy User Group Etiquette guidelines can be found at: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp To find past messages, please go to our searchable archives at: http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup%40mail.millenniacorp.com/ To unsubscribe please visit: http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/LegacyLists.asp
