The Latest Technology for Genealogists.ppt

The Latest Technology for Genealogists Dick Eastman October 20, 2007 A Look at Devices to Expand or Simplify Genealogy Research Digital cameras,  portable scanners, PDAs … Just a few of the new technologies available to modern genealogists. Today’s Discussion: The Latest in Genealogy Tools Genealogy Tools? Most tools not designed for genealogy, but they work well for multiple uses. Recommendation: Do not purchase a tool exclusively for genealogy work: Make sure it’s multi-purpose! Tools for today’s discussion Laptop computers Handheld computers Scanners Digital cameras GPS Communications Devices Laptop Computers Take your computer to the courthouse! Laptop computers are not new… What is new: POWER! Today’s laptop could be your only computer! Example: Today’s Laptop PCs Toshiba M3 1.86 GHz CPU 80 GB hard drive 512 MB RAM memory Built-in CD-DVD/RW and wireless networking Windows XP 5 pounds Price: $1849.99 Lower-priced Example Compaq M2000 1.6 GHz CPU 40 GB hard drive 256 MB RAM memory Built-in CD-DVD/RW and wireless networking Windows XP 6.5 pounds Price: $529.99 An Even Lower-priced Example Wal-Mart, Staples, best Buy and others sold laptops on “Black Friday” for $399! Ultra Portable Example Asus R2H Roughly the size of a VHS tape 7” screen 900 MHz processor 60 GB hard drive 768 MB RAM memory Wireless networking Windows XP 2.4 pounds Price: $875 to $999 Handheld computers Tiny Can go with you anywhere Limited functionality Limited storage (but improving) Palm versus PocketPC Genealogy Software for Palm OS GedStar Pro - $29.95 Plus - $19.95 Basic - $13.95 My Roots – $24.95 PocketPC Handhelds Excellent PDAs Generally more powerful than Palm 8 to 256 MB RAM memory Better communications Hard drives may be added Some PocketPC computers have keyboards! Hewlett-Packard Jornada Genealogy Software for PocketPC Handhelds My Roots - $24.95 The Pocket Genealogist Basic Edition $20 Advanced Edition $35 The Pocket Genealogist 3-Gene