* The virtues of FH

[gwilym'smum]

Hi
I have recently joined a U3A group. Last meeting the subject of family history programs came up. The tutor had a family tree generated from FH. I said I could take my laptop in to the next meeting and show them FH and AS. I will probably only have a few minutes to talk about it. What would be the main points members would high light to extol the virtues of our program, probably for people who have not used a program before?
Ann

[Jane]

You might find this one of use
http://www.taubman.org.uk/family/wp/201 ... neologist/

I posted it after doing a online presentation for a US group.

Personally I would concentrate on FH, trying to cover both in a short time will be tricky.

[Gowermick]

Ann,
Some points that immediately spring to my mind are:

1. Its openness, where every bit of data is accessible to the user. There is no hidden database under the bonnet, making it extremely flexible.

2. Its very flexible query system, which is extremely powerful and helps one stay focused during research sessions.

3. Its plugin system, allowing users to write code to expand the program’s in-built capabilities.

[tatewise]

Jane, could that be linked into somewhere like how_to:family_historian_documentation|> Family Historian Documentation for newcomers?

Ann, presumably you will demonstrate the Family Historian Sample Project and say that comes with FH as an example.
If time is really short I'd concentrate on the Focus Window with Property Box alongside, All Relatives Diagram, Narrative Report and Map Window as they are the most eye-catching.
Leave time for some Q & A, but if none are forthcoming then try to mention the Records Window, Media Window, Query Window, Plugins, Ancestral Sources, FHUG, and Importing/Exporting to other products.

[Jane]

Feel free to add a link in Mike.

[LornaCraig]

How much did the tutor cover at the last meeting? If you have limited time don't spend too long going over the same ground.

Other than that, I agree with Mike (Tate) that the eye-catching things are the ones to concentrate on. My favourite would be diagrams, showing how easy it is to change the diagram root and hide or expand branches. Most people will be familiar with the idea of a family tree in diagram form so they will easily grasp what it's about.

More advance things like queries and plugins, suggested by Mike (Loney) are great, but would take more explaining and may not be of much interest to people who don't already have any data to use them on. I would mention them, but not devote too much time to them. And don't forget to mention FHUG!

[davidm_uk]

Other than that, I agree with Mike (Tate) that the eye-catching things are the ones to concentrate on. My favourite would be diagrams, showing how easy it is to change the diagram root and hide or expand branches. Most people will be familiar with the idea of a family tree in diagram form so they will easily grasp what it's about.

I completely agree with that, I (and many others judging from comments I see on here) use a diagram as their main entry point when looking at information and adding new data - just a double click to open the individual properties window, and with well planned diagram icons you can easily see what sources you have and where there are holes. And yes, of course the FHUG!!

[gwilym'smum]

Hi
Thank you everyone for your replies. I will make a notes page so that I can give it to the group. Really helpful
Ann