Distribution of family tree & history

[EricS]

Alongside growing my family tree I have been writing a history, concentrating it around the main characters in the immediate family. I would email the Word document containing the history together with a number of mini trees as the whole was too large to easily view. Anyway the file became too large so in the end I set up a website so everyone in the family could view the updates directly.

I've nearly finished the website
www
.tillersheppard.org
and I thought I would ask some of you to take a look at it please and tell me what you think in terms of layout, content, ease of use, etc. I appreciate any helpful hints you could share with me.

Many thanks,
Eric

[Zen Rabbit]

would do but it is asking for a login

[EricS]

Thanks for your interest ZR but my post was a few months ago when I was at the testing stage and I've since gone "live" with the rest of the family, hence the password now to restrict the site & contents to family only.

[Happy Jackie]

You could also try putting a folder in DROPBOX and inviting family to have a look. I have tried that option and like it. They can then copy the folder without taking it.

[mfwebb]

Hi Eric,

I would gladly have a look but, as someone else has pointed out, it needs a username and password to log in.

If you would like to compare with other sites, www.
mfwebb.co.uk/mysteriousoriginshere's mine

And here's mylookbackintime.com/Home.html John Gambrill's site.

[EricS]

You could also try putting a folder in DROPBOX and inviting family to have a look. I have tried that option and like it. They can then copy the folder without taking it.

I tried the DROPBOX facility and while it was great at sharing documents I wanted to do more. After some research I decided to set up my own website, buying my own domain name for a very modest sum (for 2 years - I figure I'll know by then whether I'll continue with the website or not!). I think it adds another dimension to type in www dot your family name - it makes the experience a little more personal.

What really prompted me to design my own website was iWeb, a wonderful piece of software included with my Apple laptop, which made it a breeze for setting up a website. I'm not a computer programmer and the output of the software is definitely greater than the sum of my computing ability!

So in essence - DROPBOX is very useful for file sharing but having your own website means you can do much, much more - including of course the facility to view and share documents, and photos.

[EricS]

Hi Eric,

I would gladly have a look but, as someone else has pointed out, it needs a username and password to log in.

Thanks Malcolm. I am delighted that there seems to be a degree of interest in looking at my website so I've removed the security features leaving free access for a while to give people another opportunity to take a look and hopefully give me some feedback / tips etc. I've taken a look at your website and it looks really great. I can see I have a lot of work to do!

[Richard1955]

I've had a look through.
Nicely laid out, easy to use, not too long winded.
Couldn't see any spelling mistaches but then I can't spell !
Good Job
Richard

[Zen Rabbit]

I agree a very nice clean site, not too fussy and loads easily. Good easy to follow layout too.

[mfwebb]

Hi Eric,

I've had a look and am impressed. Easy to navigate, well laid out and lots of useful information. I am particularly envious of your 66 page history. When I started 25 years ago my intention was to publish (privately) a book called Mysterious Origins. I have never set my history out in book form like you have so I decided last year to publish on the internet instead, still under the title Mysterious Origins. The book is still a dream and I may do it one day.

I have my own domain and hosted website as you've probably realised. My pages are done in Microsoft Publisher and uploaded via the programme's embedded web-publishing option, so I have total control over how it looks.

Like mine, your site will be a continual work-in-progress. Good luck with it. Great beginnings.

May I ask one question -- why have you decided to keep it closed? That's not a criticism -- I considered it for my own site; but I decided to make it publicly available in the hope that someone I don't yet know of may stumble upon it and knock a brick or two off my brickwalls.