General Chat

What I was saying was...I had paid to use the site for 6 months, so rather than just give up on here completely, I started helping others where I could, and found I enjoyed it...so stayed on

I do not contribute to the Australia or Wales threads or any of the long running threads on this board....but I was under the impression it was just a group of people who chatted about whatever and any newcomers were welcome

Sorry you dont like your thread going off at a tangent....but that happens, whether you like it or not.

Most of the people I chat to on a daily basis get together on facebook so if I decide to leave it is not a problem

John

Jax made perfect sense to me!


as I intimated, many of the people who chat on General Chat have been members since the early days .................. and they are perfectly willing to continue to pay their £9.95 or £20 per year to remain in contact. They find this site more comfortable than other chat sites, and the friends made over the years more acceptable than any made on those other sites.



I do not use the tree function on here. I did build a small tree, of about 130 names, when I first joined. I have made contact with a few people who have the same names in their trees .....................

.............. but in most cases, I knew more than they did, and had confirmed what I knew. So now I find that Hot Matches, etc etc are all matching me with people to whom I gave the information in the first place. That has been the case for the last 5 or 6 years.


So, I cannot say whether I agree or not with you re the tree functioning properly.

Thus I cannot add to your complaint to GR re this.

I can suggest that it is better to send emails that will be counted, rather than post on the Boards where your complaint will most likely not be seen.


I do however have my own complaint at the makeover ................ and that is the current colour scheme.

I was one of the members asked to test the beta site over the past 2 weeks ................ and made my statement several times about the colours, plus making suggestions re other changes, and even approving the way in which the site was working better in other ways.


I am not about to stop complaining about the colour scheme ........ as I am one of a number of people who find the glaring very uncomfortable.


Having said that ....................... there does seem to have been another slight change in the background colour over the last 24 hours. So, it seems that our complaining has had some effect.



I am NOT normally a cross person ....... but you do make some assumptions about this site, without it seems having really checked it out!

And, you do tend to come over as patronising ....... and that is something that I have never, ever, liked, or been willing to bow down to.




sylvia

What a warm welcome I have had from quite a few to these chat threads. Enjoyed your comments a lot (warm and cold ones alike). Some have called me witty, intelligent, humble, lovable. Some have called me smug, patronising, ignorant, ill-informed, undisciplined, amusing but liking sound of my own voice..

It is difficult to take criticism when you are perfect and know that any criticism shows a weakness in the critic who would also one day like to be as perfect as you.

Sleep and wives beckon. More examples of perfection tomorrow to fill you with awe.

Might even have a go on new site tomorrow. Sounds like a pair of sunglasses are needed first - and a few Anadin.

Breuddwydion melys, cyfeillion (shoud translate as sweet dreams, friends)

John,

I'm sure you would be a perfect addition to many of the threads on these boards as many of us appreciate witty and amiable conversations. Friendly, controversial banter goes down well too.


Going down the list of boards available from my personal point of view.


Announcements - This is a board by which GR passes on information to us. I should look at it more often - but forget .


Success Board - some members who have had great success in finding relatives or breaking down brick walls put their thanks on there. Again, a board I rarely look at.


General Chat Board - I don't regularly contribute on this board but I do glance down it daily just to see if any topic catches my eye. If there is a thread I find interesting, then I will make a comment. If not, I pass on by. Very little on that board is about genealogy. I've never contributed to any of the threads started by our Australian or Welsh friends as I have little to offer. I don't usually post on a thread dealing with cookery problems either - I'm a rubbish cook!



Quizzes and Games Board - never look at it.



Genealogy Chat Board - I look to see if anyone has posted any new helpful information - there are lots of useful links to various local resources etc. on that board. It's also a good place to ask for advice when one is stuck on a problem relating to family history in general.



Find Ancestors Board - This is the board where I am to be found most often. Although I am not a particularly good researcher, it's interesting to see where people are stuck in their research and to help if I can. As I said before, my main area of helping on this site is by looking at some of the queries, watching the replies they get and, if the original poster does not come back to respond to the help given, then I send them a gentle hint on how to find their replies. It would be a shame for them to ask a question and not realise that they have got answers.

There is also a long running thread on the FA Board which I contribute to. It's really a chatty thread but, the advice it's first post gives about not posting twice is useful and has been allowed by GR to stay on that board.


Find Living Relatives - a board that has caused much controversy as to whether information about people who are still alive should be given out. I don't get involved and I have no expertise in that area anyway.





Yes, I suppose some threads do become 'clique-y' and there are, occasionally, some 'right royal bust ups' which are best left alone - or fun to watch from a distance. When that sort of thread becomes too unpleasant, then it may be reported by a member and deleted by GR.



So, there is quite a variety of options for you on here should you be inclined to contribute. You would be most welcome. :-D

John I can see that you have a lot to offer to the chat board. If you want to just do your tree and concentrate on genealogy then the genealogy chat board is more dedicated. However, if you want to make friends on here, chat about all sorts and not get stressed when the thread goes off topic (as they invariably do) and if you have a sense of humour, then this board is a good place. You ask how you can remain friends after your subs expire? Well some of us just rejoin. However, those who don't, usually have e mail addresses and that is how we remain in touch. :-D

That was very helpful, Cynthia. I can see that genearl chat is very addictive, but not something I really want to get drawn into. Last night I was well drawn in and my head was nearly exploding. I think this friendly (?) discussion over whether we like or will use the new tree has nearly run its course. I am going to do a trawl of various options available and try to find a tree that I am happier with, because I just cannot see that this new tree is in the proud GR tradition.

It seems to be more to do with conforming to IT developments of parent and associated companies. Still no announcement from Genes that recognises any unrest amongst the troops at all, but am sure that will surface when they have waded through the hundreds of comments. I get the impression they are concerned and will give us a useful response eventually.

And I note that there is a steady trickle of comments from folk who don't often go on the site or have been away on holiday when all this happened. Think that will continue for months because we are not all addicted to GR and on it every day and every week.

Like many, I was pleased that I was not the only one who raised queries about 1. the wisdom of stopping the old tree format as an alternatibe to BNT (Brave New Tree) and 2. the disturbing nature of the site for those who have eyesight and migraine problems or are likely to get them as a result of new site.

I have felt a bit like a fox chased by the pack at times, but feel reassured that there are so many more foxes about. And if I get cornered in a field (RR'd by the Master of Foxhounds - or LP to use correct terminology - Leader of the Pack) there are many many more foxes who will continue to fight to keep the site simple and friendly (for us simple and friendly folk who want to do nothing more than try to reunite our genes with others). And patronise those who desperately need lots and lots of affection and patronising.

Perhaps site should be renamed Friends Reunited. With a small area for those of us who like to pursue our family trees. Has anyone else ever thought of that?

Owain Glyndwr's Bwti (Mate)

I could take the bait re the Aussie thread but I can't be bothered. We're all friends and if we're sometimes banal - well so be it. I will say however that Sandie invited you to drop in and join in the Welsh thread - how rude of you to then make comments about it.

What bait, Sue? I seem to be the fox, not the MFH. Is Sandie annoyed or are you her keeper and authorised to speak on her behalf?

Rudeness? I don't think so. But I refer you to an earlier point that some feel I am rude, patronising, ignorant etc. I am not. I am as near perfection as any human can be. And if anyone thinks that I am anything negative, it is probably because they have that trait themselves. :-)

Oh you could be right John - or not.

Sue, I find your use of the word "could" to be rude. I am right. The fact that not everybody agrees with my opinions 100% shows that they are still developing towards perfection ;-)

You could be right there too;-)

Sue, how quickly we change in our affections. You have trampled all over me and now I have been won over. May we chat together into the ether :-) <3

No.

I was really pleased to find out from another user about the 'view other trees' screen - ta! That means that I can add to my tree and keep checking whether there is indeed a duplicate. That makes all the difference!

Incidentally, if there are only 12 people working for Genes you would think that the support team would understand whether they have cured their problems with bugs. When I managed an IT team including software developers the cardinal rule if you had a set of bugs was NOT to make other major changes until you had cured them. Here there were no announcements whether they had posted the bug fix, no note on whether they have speeded up the Windows Vista problem - just continual tinkering with colours, background front screens etc. It did not give me any confidence, given all that work, that there was anyone bothered about the MAJOR problems that I, with a large (c2,000k) Gedcom file was having in adding even a line of information. I accept that this software is not simply designed for those working full time on a large tree in their retirement but the last month has been very frustrating!

If you are happy to use a set of tree software where no one has time to tell you (or indeed does not seem to know) whether they have cured the bugs - so be it!

John,

You old fox winder upper..

You will learn you cant pull people up on here,,,,but be prepared for any mistakes you could make.




but my dad has a saying""" often people can take offence because they often are mirror image of the offender."" ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-),

:-D. :-D

Now look the threads gone even more off topic.......sorry, ;-)but thats how they go......one second it can be about a new washing machine the next it turns to old Aunt Fannys 1900's wash tub.... :-D

Dear John, ( or whoever)

It is with deep regret I read that you will not be popping onto the Welsh thread, after initially saying 'good idea' ,to my 'invite'.

No, Sue is not my keeper , however I agree with her and do think it was rather rude to say good idea and then in the same paragraph criticise both the Welsh and Australian threads.
I guess the 'good idea ( syniad da, cariad fach )' was a sarcastic lead up to the rest of your comment .

I didn't personally know Lloyd George, but my father did ,so perhaps will will chat about him in the future on the Welsh thread.

You will be forgotten
Goodbye WUM~~~~
Sandie.

Can I change the topic John?

Re your comments on Suggestions re British retail generally and Tesco Aberystwyth in particular, last time I was there the tills were understaffed , the queues overlong and the person at the fast check out ( which wasn't fast) offered neither a thankyou or a bag. The sandwiches were nice though :-D

Generally speaking customer service at 'ground level' ie the cash desk staff at most stores is good, small shops as variable as ever, middle management seem to get a bit of a case of 'I'm here but don't come to me because the buck doesn't stop with me really and I'm busy re-organising rotas, but I'll pass on your thought'.

There are shops I go to where the floor staff need some 'motivating' ( and training) , but not an effective manager in site ;-)

100 POSTS

The last few comments seem to be very little to do with the problems (or, indeed, many advantages) of the new site. I recently complained that there still seemed to be problems with duplicates and not much feedback - and I DO appreciate that the few Genes staff are very busy with the upgrade. I would, however, like to share a very helpful reply just received from Genes support:

"We do take all problems reported to us seriously, but this one's been a very difficult one for us to get to the bottom of as we're having problems replicating it ourselves. We know it's happening though as we've had quite a few reports about it. I have been through every email you have sent across to us and have made a note of all of the details you have kindly let us know about and passed this over to our technical team who are doing everything they can to fix it as quickly as possible. Your continued patience is much appreciated."

Good on them! I have tried adding a few more bits of info and new names today and so far - NO DUPLICATES!!! I also like the new site - now it seems to be working.

I will leave you guys now to your conversations about shopping, the Welsh and other Genealogy related 'stuff'

I don't think they were meant to be Raymond !...as are many others on the thread.

....Just 'replies' to some of the posts the originator of the thread put on.

For the record I don't have any major probs with the site ,a few hiccups which one gets annoyed with but a few GR members helped me out with :-D