The front offices will be closed through Wednesday, April 1, 2009. Contact us through email, as that will be checked frequently during this time.
December 2006, V5 #12: Computer Friday, Mar 20 2009
Computer & Software Family Tree Maker, graphic, manuscript, Microsoft Word, MS Office, MS Word, organize, program, software, text, word processor 7:57 pm
99.9% of the books we produce are from Microsoft Word. However, it will depend on what the focus of your book is, as well as what software you are familiar with, and how much work you want the software to do for you. For instance, if the book is to contain many charts, a program that is geared toward generating these charts would be important. If you are working toward mainly fact oriented and are hoping the program will organize a manuscript, a program such as Family Tree Maker might be best. If you are looking for word processing and are familiar with the Corel family of products, you may not want to learn Microsoft Office. If you are wanting to go with fancy margins, clip art, photos, charts, tables, graphic elements on each page, etc., Microsoft Publisher may be the way to go. The bottom line, like so many other decisions comes down to you. It’s hard to beat making a wish list (I want the program to be able to…) and then looking for a product that fits best. Other factors, besides current software knowledge may be cost for new software, compatibility (if looking toward a hybrid or e-book).
Overall software we utilize most (remember, this doesn’t mean they are the best for you):
Manuscript: Microsoft Word (other Office programs such as Excel, Access, Publisher, and FrontPage can be helpful or used with Word, depending on project.)
Photographs: Adobe Photoshop
“Genealogy” Program (Charts, etc.): Family Tree Maker
December 2006, V5 #12: Genealogy Friday, Mar 20 2009
Genealogy data, family, holiday, mailing, update 7:55 pm
Don’t forget to ask for family data updates in your end of year holiday mailings. So many of us put off adding family information to our working files because it can be done later. Sometimes this turns into loosing information. Remember to include your new family data in these mailings as well. This can be done as a separate sheet that can be easily discarded for those non-genealogy oriented family members.
December 2006, V5 #12: Marketing Friday, Mar 20 2009
Marketing coverage, email, extra, in-depth, periodical, quote, renewal, save the date, Updates, value added 7:54 pm
Options that will not add to the cost of a periodical may include:
If using email for renewals, don’t use it only for renewals, consider sending extra/color photos (if Copyright release is available), timely tidbits, in-depth coverage, save the dates, quote of the week/month, etc. – things to encourage opening over discarding.
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This section is drawn from http://www.gregathcompany.com/marketingsubscriptions.html
December 2006, V5 #12: Production Friday, Mar 20 2009
Book Production extra, hybrid, material, suplementary 7:52 pm
Hybrids Continued:
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Containing supplementary material not included in the printed book. Ideas: Documents (letters, vital statistics, etc.) where the book contains transcriptions, then and now photos extra photos or pictures not in printed book, family artwork or sketches, mementos the author couldn’t fit in their target page count.
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This section is drawn from http://www.gregathcompany.com/epublish.html
December 2006, V5 #12: Design Friday, Mar 20 2009
Book Design aronyms, cross reference, entry, index 7:50 pm
Specific suggestions while deciding index entry/item framework:
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Acronyms should also be considered as candidates for cross reference, such as UDC/United Daughters of the Confederacy.
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This section is drawn from http://www.gregathcompany.com/indexing.html
December 2006, V5 #12: Define Friday, Mar 20 2009
Definitions book, electronic file, format, hybrid, published 7:49 pm
Hybrid Book: A traditionally published book that includes electronic files on a movable format (CD, etc.).
November 2006, V5 #11: Computer Friday, Mar 20 2009
Computer & Software cut and paste, template 7:48 pm
Do you find yourself typing (or modifying) the same kind of letter over and over? Reduce the chance of mix ups through cut and paste or saving over old file copies by making a template. In many Windows based programs it is fairly simple. Make the “cookie cutter” basis that you will be using over and over again. This even works well for non raised letterhead! Next, choose “save as”. When you have the save as dialog box up, go to the bottom boxes and click the down arrow (right side) for the file type. From the pull down list that just came up, choose template, or .tmp, check the file name (change it if you want), then OK. Now, next time you want to use the text, click the “file” pull down menu and choose new. Selections may come up on the right side of your screen, or you will get a box that allows you to choose from templates. Choose the template and off you go! When you open a template, modify it and are ready to save, it automatically assumes you are not modifying the template, but producing a file in the default format – such as .doc for Word.
November 2006, V5 #11: Genealogy Friday, Mar 20 2009
Genealogy collection, Genealogy, library, online, section, service 7:46 pm
Check with your local library, even if they don’t have a large genealogy section, to see what online services they offer. Don’t stop with your hometown library! Check other libraries that neighbor your “home” library’s service area. Not all library’s are aware of what other near by library’s offer. It may be worth a trip to get a library card for the services the offer from their website that you can take advantage from your home computer.
November 2006, V5 #11: Marketing Friday, Mar 20 2009
Marketing clip and mail, database, email address, notice, periodical, renewal, subscriber 7:45 pm
Options that will not add to the cost of a periodical may include:
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Include a “clip and mail” renewal form in renewal issue.
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Build a subscribers database of email addresses, send renewal notices by email.
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This section is drawn from http://www.gregathcompany.com/marketingsubscriptions.html
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