General Chat

It is believed that GR are looking at ways to 'manage the boards in the future'. There is certainly a lack of input from them lately ( understatement) . Even the announcement board is dormant, a couple of book club posts in May and June, the new community manager announcement and a 'photo of the month' in March.

How would you like to see the site go? Free to use but no records available? Records but no boards? Records and genealogy boards only? Or just a slow decline until it is pulled all together? ( edit: or absorbed into FMP?).

I originally joined the site years ago to get some help with a look up. Since then I enjoyed helping others as my knowledge grew and chatting to new found cyber friends.

I use Ancestry for my tree and most info I need and browse the web to fill in the gaps as far as I can.

I don't have a subscription to FMP as it can't be paid monthly.....the best option for me. I have never used the records on here as I can now find my way around the web.

I would hate the general board to go, not for me personally, but others who use it daily to keep in contact with their own cyber friends.

I would be happy to see it revert to what it was originally, All the boards (although there are more of those now), a free tree and the ability to update it and search trees, no records. And maybe the presence of a few staff who are really interested in the members. (As they used to be).

As it is members help each other, nobody minds using their own records to look up occasional requests. And people share their knowledge without the help of GR. And keep the membership fee minimal.

As it is I think we have the last choice in your post. I somethimes wonder if there are any staff left at all. But what would be good is if somebody stopped taking us for idiots and let us know what the situation is now. :-(

*agrees with Ann*

*what Guinevere said* :-D

Limit the boards to Research only.
Include Records
Have a free tree but charge for other functions

Rose, where did this information come from? I have heard or seen nothing.

Sue :-)

The first sentence has been posted on face book and, I think, by the Community Manager.

Other than that, anything we as members may post is pure speculation

Agrees with Ann
Agrees with Guinevere
Agrees with Kitty

I don't use any of the GR record (no use to me, my ancestors are mainly Scottish, and I have relatives all over the world; I believe GR records are mainly ENGLISH).

I'm fed up with GR making announcements on the FREE Facebook page, and forgetting about the GR WEBSITE and PAYING members.

If the boards go, I go too!

My membership expires 22nd August.......... if it wasn't for the chatty boards & the friendly people here I wouldn't renew.

There was a comment somewhere I'm sure...otherwise just put it down to a hunch ;-)

First
- I would like GR to be mindful of the paying members.

Why not actually ask the users of the boards for advice on how to 'manage them'. THEN they can ask others whether new ideas would tempt them into paying the GR salaries!!!!

I won't answer until they address us on here. We pay to be on here how dare they put it to a free site first. We pay their wages by our subscriptions so they should take care of us first as if we all leave they'll be up the creak without a paddle.

Pat they haven't asked on FB, they (GR) haven't asked at all, it was my question just based on a few comments here and there and on the obvious lack of any presence on the board and any resolution to the ongoing problems that have been reported, eg the advanced search not working for months on end. :-)

RR
It was suggested at 12:57 that this had been on Facebook - it was that I was reacting to.

I get very annoyed by the insistence from several bodies that Facebook etc is the ONLY way to communicate.

namelessone, I am not certain whether the comment I saw about how to manage the boards was on Facebook or on here .... but if it is any consolation, other than the odd photo, GR staff don't seem to be doing anything on FB either :-D

My personal opinion is the boards should go back to 2003/4 when Steve had the site.

Just a chat board and Genealogy board for asking questions and helping out.
Minimal cost for membership as it's the members that do all the work.
And no Records at all as GR have not transcribed any of the records as it all comes from FMP.

But who ever is the Community Manager should come on the site and start a thread of WHAT the members would like.

:-D

Do you all really think they care what we think or want :-( :-(

Joy,no they don't but as we pay the wages you would think they would actually come on the site and let us all have an inkling of what is going to happen.

Agrees with Sue, I don't use the search facility on here and when my latest hot match was..................................... Julian Crutch...........................I really had to fight to control my bladder!

And his brother Itchy ......... :-S