Publishing your family info on the internet

Thanks for this info; just yesterday someone recommended Eastman's site and I did join.

The software Eastman mentions may be a good way for some folks to put their info on the internet. However, many if not most home genealogy software have the capability to generate basic webpages from your gedcom (such as the program discussed in Eastman's newsletter).

It then remains to decide where to upload the data on the internet. Many existing web hosts (such as www.gatheringleaves.org, www.tribalpages.com, or even www.ancestry.com) will provide space for user's to upload their gedcom (in an appropriate html format) to the internet using the hosts own domain name. In this way, a user does not have to register (buy) a domain name, then identify and sign-up with an Host company, upload their data, manage their domain (website), etc - all of which may seem intimidating to many genealogists, particularly those who view themselves as not being very tech-saavy. It is a very basic way to get onto the internet that many find easy and non-threatening. Not everyone is inclined to become 'tech-savy' and/or they believe it will be too costly to 'do it right' i.e. have a web presence that is more than the basics.

For those who want to have more than a basic presence on the internet; have a capacity and desire to learn some basic web/internet skills, there are available solutions which are not expensive and frankly, easy. As well, these solutions allow users to enhance their websites if the user has the requisite skills or, when the users become more technically proficient.

In my opinion, there is no more simpler, elegant, inexpensive and customizable solution to creating a web presence than "The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding" [TNG] sofware; this software is exceptional and is in a class by itself. It is designed from the ground-up for the express purpose of creating a genealogy-based website. I do not believe there is a comparable software available anywhere. The price of $29.99 U.S. is unbelievable - I don't know how it is offered at this price which has not changed much in the 7 or so years since I first became aware of it.

http://lythgoes.net/genealogy/software.phphttp://lythgoes.net/genealogy/software.php
http://www.simplyhosting.net/hosting/tnghosting.phphttp://www.simplyhosting.net/hosting/tnghosting.php

On their website, you can experience the program with an extensive online demo (including changing the interface among the 8 built-in templates). You can see user websites from the links provided. While many users elect to use one of the templates as their website's public interface, the software is customizable and works with many add-ons (you'll see this when looking at various websites of users).

This is a mature software with a mature and extensive support system; I doubt there are user questions which have not already been addressed or that cannot be soon answered.

A couple days ago, I purchased the TNG software after finally deciding that I am finally ready to have a mature presence on the internet for my family data. I then chose Simply Hosting as recommended to purchase (register) my own domain name and to host my website. Simply Hosting has several low-cost hosting plans and even gives a one-month discount to new TNG users and even installed (free of charge) the software on their servers and did all the initial customizing to my domain name.

Within anhour of purchasing the TNG software, my website was active with the TNG software installed. I chose Simply Hosting's basic hosting package (at the quarterly price) to get started. Total cost of all this was less than $47.40: 29.99 TNG software; 9.95 domain registration (1 yr); 7.46 (3 month hosting less one month 4.99 discount).

Though the format of TNG is very familiar to all genealogists (gedcoms, reports, etc), there is a learning curve about how to incorporate all your supporting data and research into the website. But, it's not as daunting as one might think and help is always available. I consider myself 'tech-saavy' to the extent that I do have 'some' minimal experience. I am motivated and capable of understanding most of what I read but, more importantly, I am not afraid of admitting I need help and asking for it. Luckily, the extensive support system for TNG is easing my concerns and fears - I can do this!

Del