I attended another FamilySearch webinar this afternoon. The basic goal was to give a general update on the latest developments at FamilySearch. Here's a short recap:
1. FamilySearch indexing and arbitration are posting record numbers each day.
Yesterday was a record with over 1.9 million items indexed. Yowza.
2. RootsTech
Registration is still ongoing for RootsTech. There was also a brief discussion on a collaborative station and unconferencing at RootsTech. The collaborative station will (I think) be set up in the exhibit/tech hall. There will be a large screen tv, seats, and a place to hook up laptops. The intent is to use this space to discuss or collaborate on an idea of the group's choosing. The subject discussed is up to the group.
Unconference events will also be held at RootsTech. These are slightly more structured than what happens at the collaborative space. You choose your topics, but they are discussed in a classroom setting with whiteboards. These are considered working sessions.
Open Interactive Discussions: there will be five of these events during RootsTech. They will cover subjects that generate dialog (such as genealogical data standards). Audience input is encouraged. The goal of these meetings is to come toward a consensus that would be helpful for the industry. There's nothing like this being offered at any genealogy conference that I know of, so I'm looking forward to this format.
3. Research material and classes
FamilySearch has big plans to offer many classes and lessons (thousands). They will be loosely grouped into beginner, intermediate, advanced and professional levels. Courses are offered in video and audio formats. There's even a podcast. Look for more of these in the future. Visit the Learn page at FamilySearch.
Next up in the education department are five-minute videos geared toward beginners.
4. Questions from the crowd
Various people had specific questions about FamilySearch records and other things. You can hear all about it at the bloginar recording.
Go to the FamilySearch Wiki and search for bloginar. Today's (1/18/11) bloginar will be up and available for view soon.
About 85-90 people were dialed in for this event.
This looks great, thanks for sharing. It's good to get an idea of what to expect at such a new kind of event. I'm really looking forward to Rootstech now, and I'll download the bloginar as soon as it's available.
ReplyDeleteAs always, thank you for keeping us informed!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy for this great summary - I am not going to reinvent the wheel and blog about it - I have just directed my readers to your post.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't able to make it today due to another commitment and definitely appreciate your synopsis. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it...I am REALLY excited about this. It's great to see such a fresh approach to new ways of collaborating.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Amy, I always learn something new at your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, guys. I will try to remember to post when the bloginar is up for viewing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your blog. I have found it personally useful and I'm recommending it on my blog Family History Writing (FamilyHistoryWritingService.com) with an "ancestor approved" award. You can use the image if you would like to and write your own list of 10 blogs you like as well as publish a list of 10 things that have humbled, enlightened or surprised you. (I can't believe you haven't had this before, but a search didn't reveal it.)
ReplyDelete"big plans to offer many classes and lessons...". I'm really looking forward to these. I have viewed almost all of the ones I have seen posted as of about two weeks ago. I have not viewed the ethnic ones from Europe, but just about all of the others. Thanks Amy for keeping us informed.
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