Genealogy - Technology Links 8 Aug 2012

© Copyright 2012 Caroline M. Pointer

Okay. Even though I'm on vacation, I took some time out between boogie boarding and napping to find some links to posts about technology that a genealogist or family historian researcher, like you, might find interesting.

Or maybe you won't. *shrugs*

These weren't found by an algorithm. They're hand-picked ~ curated ~ just for you by me. A genealogist and family historian who likes to read [a lot] about and play [a lot] with tech.

So here's today's list:

• The ins and outs of Instapaper by Victor Agreda on thenextweb.com ~ Are you using Instapaper to its fullest? Or are you even using Instapaper? Do you read *anything* on the internet? Then you need an app like Instapaper. In this post, Victor gives you a blow-by-blow of what it is and how to use it effectively. And? I highly recommend it. The post and the app.
  
• Luxury Brands Are Going Where The Rich Kids Are: Instagram by Colleen Taylor on Techcrunch.com ~ I've always maintained that paying someone else to 'do your genealogy' is a luxury. I mean, seriously. It's not a necessity. Keeping that in mind, if you have a genealogy-related business, are you targeting the right potential clients or customers? Are you using the right social media platform to do this? Are you using Instagram in your marketing/brand awareness efforts? Colleen makes a great point in this post about who is using Instagram and why luxury brands are using it. [Yes, I know. Genealogy-related businesses are not luxury brands, but genealogy research can be a luxury and are you reaching those potential customers or clients who can actually afford your services? It's something to think about. To consider. To ponder. Or not.]
• Evernote updates for iOS, adds tap anywhere to edit by Terrence O'brien on engadget.com ~ The Evernote app for iOS has added a much-needed feature to increase a user's workflow. Found out what and then download it or upgrade it. [After you finish reading my post, of course. =) ]
• New: Gmail Results Embedded In Google Search Results by Barry Schwartz on searchengineland.com ~ When I read this at first, I was like, "Wha-?" Then I read the post, then I was like, "Aaaahhh." Might be helpful. Read for yourself and find out.
• Google Knowledge Graph coming to all English-speaking nations tomorrow, adds lists to results by Terrence O'brien on engadget.com ~ Yeah. So. Speaking of The Google, have you checked out the new Google Knowledge Graph? Personally, I think it has the potential to *really* confuse a bunch of new researchers. What do you think?
• Reverse Image Search Returns Nearly Identical Photo from 36 Years Ago by Ken Smith on petapixel.com ~ Okay. I don't care who you are. This is *really* cool. Has anyone tried this? Have you taken a picture of, I dunno, a view that maybe your ancestor would have had and reverse image searched it? Or have you taken an old family pic, scanned it, and reverse image searched it? Do you use it for research? [And none of these questions are rhetorical. Comments appreciated. =) ]
• Family History Slideshows Made Easy from slideshowblog.com ~ Has anyone used this? Heard about it? Looks *way* cool. Really nice for family reunions and special occasions. They even have a video of what it can do. Yowzer. Check it out:

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• 3 Tips to Teach Technology to Older Generations by Barbara Jolie on gettingsmart.com ~ If you read yesterday's list of tech links, you already know this idea intrigues me. Greatly. I really think this is a *great* idea for genealogical societies. What do you think? Can we get younger people involved in GenSocs mentoring our more mature members in tech while our more mature members mentor our younger members in life, local history, and family history? Or is that just crazy thinking on my part? Does your GenSoc already have a program like this?
• Harvest: Simple, Online Time Tracking by James Cull on web.appstorm.net ~ And for the genealogy professionals, here's a thorough review of a time tracking and invoicing web app. It's really worth a look.

And that's it for today. I've some waves out there with my name on them. See ya' tomorrow with more genealogy - technology links picked just for you by me [on a beach]. 

~Caroline