
Research Management System
#1
Posted 14 September 2012 - 03:55 PM
RootsMagic has a Correspondence List.
RootsMagic has a Research Log.
The problem, as I see it, is that the three are mutually exclusive of each other. If they were relational to each other, then RootsMagic could have the foundation of a true Research Management SYSTEM, which is sorely missing from the genealogy community, IMHO.
A number of years ago, Troy Adair made available a Freeware research database called Bygones. While it appeared to be long on complexity and short on esthetics, it was, nonetheless, functional. Since the software is not supported any longer, many have wandered away from its use, and fewer still are finding it, today. I do not believe that anything currently in development has come along to fulfill this need.
It would be my guess that many of today's users of RootsMagic have used, or perhaps, still use Bygones. If that is the case, I would appreciate any and all contributions to the topic of the Wish List item I am suggesting in this post. If there is no interest, feel free to ignore and let it die.
Paul
#2
Posted 14 September 2012 - 05:31 PM
I agree this additional functionality in RootsMagic would greatly enhance an already fantastic program. I for one would definitely utilise this for my one-name study
Kind regards,
Andrew
https://www.kempfamilyhistory.com
#3
Posted 16 September 2012 - 12:03 PM
RootsMagic has a To Do List.
RootsMagic has a Correspondence List.
RootsMagic has a Research Log.
A number of years ago, Troy Adair made available a Freeware research database called Bygones. While it appeared to be long on complexity and short on esthetics, it was, nonetheless, functional. Since the software is not supported any longer, many have wandered away from its use, and fewer still are finding it, today. I do not believe that anything currently in development has come along to fulfill this need.
Paul
As I stated in another discussion on this. Clooz 3.1 is out and a new revision of the Clooz 2 with new programmers. Take a look. Many good changes... But would be nice if the two pieces TO do and Research Log were better connected and in RM. As stated above.

Genealogy:
"I work on genealogy only on days that end in "Y"." [Grin!!!]
from www.GenealogyDaily.com.
"Documentation....The hardest part of genealogy"
"Genealogy is like Hide & Seek: They Hide & I Seek!"
" Genealogists: People helping people.....that's what it's all about!"
from http://www.rootsweb....nry/gentags.htm
Using FO and RM since FO2.0
#4
Posted 16 September 2012 - 09:38 PM
I agree this additional functionality in RootsMagic would greatly enhance an already fantastic program. I for one would definitely utilise this for my one-name study
Andrew,
Out of curiosity, it what particular ways would you like to see them relate to each other?
Paul
#5
Posted 16 September 2012 - 09:48 PM
As I stated in another discussion on this. Clooz 3.1 is out and a new revision of the Clooz 2 with new programmers. Take a look. Many good changes...
Yes, Nettie. In response to your other post I downloaded the new version, and quite frankly, I just don't get its value. If I am going to double enter all of my source information for research and parse all of the information into template fields, then I should be able to query that data any way I want, ie., show me a list of all marriage records I have entered in Morgan County, Ohio. I don't see any way to do that. I would like to see all of the fields for each census for an individual with similar data adjacent in the records. I don't see any way to do that. And what is with entering a birth certificate, but using the SAME template for details for the infant and each parent?
As I said, I just don't get it, but I don't want to digress from the subject of this thread. Perhaps I could PM you to learn more about how you find value in using Clooz?
Paul
#6
Posted 16 September 2012 - 09:49 PM
At present I am utilising email predominantly for correspondence and research tracking, rather than RM's correspondence log and research log. Due to the volume of correspondence I receive on the ONS, I find it difficult to track this within RM.
The to-do list is excellent, however again the volume and jumping around in the ONS tends to detract from using this.
Basically, if the To Do list, Correspondence list and Research Log were more tightly integrated, I would definitely commence using them for the ONS and my own genealogical research. This would assist greatly in stopping me revisiting some research multiple times and excluding other research altogether.
Kind regards,
Andrew
https://www.kempfamilyhistory.com
#7
Posted 17 September 2012 - 08:48 AM


Have only played a little with the RM Research log. Since I have been using Dollarhide's, Research Data Sheet for my notes and source identifications it is hard to go to something that does not include everything with out re-keying more than once. Twice once in RM Research Log and then differently into the Citation Manager/Details sheet per person. Programming could be an issue to get all the processes covered.
I also use OneNote for research note taking at a library/facility who are not on the internet. I keep my To Do for visiting lists there via research facility, used to be Evernote, but like OneNote better for organization. Luckily it is easy to take a laptop to a historical society library or a library but only some court houses.

I think I have said enough....
Genealogy:
"I work on genealogy only on days that end in "Y"." [Grin!!!]
from www.GenealogyDaily.com.
"Documentation....The hardest part of genealogy"
"Genealogy is like Hide & Seek: They Hide & I Seek!"
" Genealogists: People helping people.....that's what it's all about!"
from http://www.rootsweb....nry/gentags.htm
Using FO and RM since FO2.0
#8
Posted 17 September 2012 - 01:52 PM
Paul to answer this, I am not using Clooz as it does not update RM like it does Leg.... There is potential as they are working on it.
Nettie, thanks for the clarification. I have to agree there is potential there and I will continue to follow its development, but I do not find it useful as is.
To paraphrase the rest of your post: "All systems are just too kludgy to get any effective work done in an efficient manner!" I think I agree.
Paul
#9
Posted 20 September 2012 - 08:47 AM
RootsMagic
#10
Posted 28 September 2012 - 12:40 PM
#11
Posted 28 September 2012 - 01:02 PM
A work around is to open your desktop version of RootsMagic and also RootsMagic To-Go off your flash drive. I use both versions copy of the database so there is no confusion going on sharing the same file. With the two programs open you can see two views at the same time. Just remember to only write to one copy, it will make things easier.
RootsMagic
#12
Posted 29 September 2012 - 08:48 AM
#13
Posted 01 October 2012 - 02:07 AM
There are many new features in RM which deserve the microscope treatment from critical thinkers (systems analysis) and fed back. The Rootsmagician being the author would likely naturally overlook some missing functionality alkthough he should pick up through roadshows and demo's of the product.
All IMHO.
Customers should never be frustrated by things they cannot do.
User of Family Historian 6.2.7, Rootsmagic 7.6.2, Family Tree Maker 2014 & Legacy 7.5
Excel to Gedcom conversion - simple getting started tutorials here
Root
#14
Posted 01 October 2012 - 02:09 AM
Customers should never be frustrated by things they cannot do.
User of Family Historian 6.2.7, Rootsmagic 7.6.2, Family Tree Maker 2014 & Legacy 7.5
Excel to Gedcom conversion - simple getting started tutorials here
Root
#15
Posted 01 October 2012 - 10:09 AM
RootsMagic
#16
Posted 01 October 2012 - 10:23 AM
RootsMagic
#17
Posted 02 October 2012 - 03:37 AM
Customers should never be frustrated by things they cannot do.
User of Family Historian 6.2.7, Rootsmagic 7.6.2, Family Tree Maker 2014 & Legacy 7.5
Excel to Gedcom conversion - simple getting started tutorials here
Root
#18
Posted 17 November 2012 - 07:53 AM
#19
Posted 19 November 2012 - 12:23 PM
I will add you enhancement request but want to let you know what is happening in the background.
RootsMagic
#20
Posted 13 December 2012 - 06:30 AM
From a programming perspective, here are some of the enhancements needed to integrate the system:
- A good example of the necessary functionality is the typical business contact management systems that link contact history to a person in the address book. In the genealogy program, would be a link between an individual to a correspondence or research log entry. Would be a many-to-many relationship (a person could have many correspondence items and a correspondence item could be linked to many people). A junction table with link between person and correspondence tables would do the job.
- Create a similar many-to-many relationship between the research log and individuals in the tree.
- Create many-to-many relationship between correspondence log and research log.
Just some thoughts that I would throw out there for discussion.