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Family Roots (& utilities) Last Version Numbers:
Apple DOS 3.3 - version 3.4Tech Support Options
Free Tech Support-Users Helping UsersFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs). We are always open to volunteers to provide more FAQs.
General FAQsQ: Where did the name Quinsept come from? (Though Quinsept is no longer in business, you may still wonder about this).
A: To quote Steve: I tried putting phrases together that sounded pleasant, but non-specific to any particular kind of business. The name came from QUINtessential conCEPTs, with the C changed to S, since I assumed it would be more often spelled correctly that way.
Q: What do the numbers and letters in the versions mean?
A: Prefix numbers (number to left of period) are the actual version numbers. Suffix numbers indicate that a new feature has been added, but not enough features to call it a version change. Suffix letters indicate minor error corrections (ie bug fix).
Q: What do you mean - bug fix?
A: All software has bugs. Sometimes in fixing one bug, the programmer inadvertently introduces another bug. Bugs exist because a large piece of software has literally millions (perhaps more) of paths that might be taken through it, and it is not possible or feasible to test all of the possible paths. In general only the most likely paths have been thoroughly used and tested. The number of bugs and their severity is another thing altogether. The more mature a product is, and the larger number of users it has, the more likely that the serious bugs have been found and removed. Family Roots is so versatile that users may find some way of using it that no one else is using, and in so doing, find a bug. After a bug is reported, found and fixed, a new letter is added to the version number as explained previously.
Q: How do I save and print my family stories with the Family Roots forms like the family group sheet or person sheet?
A: See Phyllis Maddox's Article in the March-April, 1991 issue of the Quinsept User Group Newsletter. Note that although the article was written for use with Family Roots DOS version 3, much of the information can be modified for use with all versions which support story/text files. That's why it is included with these General FAQs.
Q: What computer language is Family Roots?
Q: How are the Family Roots data files named and what do the names mean? How can these names help me?
A: See Quinsept Corner Item #5 in the June, 1988 issue of the Quinsept User Group Newsletter.
Q: Will Family Roots run under Windows 95?
A: See Quinsept Corner Item #5 in the March, 1996 issue of the Quinsept User Group Newsletter.
Q: Is Family Roots available on a CD Rom?
A: No. The CD Rom is just another kind of disk, albeit with a huge capacity. It shouldn't really matter what kind of disk the program is on, since you copy it to your hard disk. Family Roots fits quite nicely on one high density 3.5" disk.
Q: Once in awhile I get a message saying "changing configuration to match controls". What does this mean? (Version 4 specific FAQ).
A: Version 4 matches itself automatically to your data configuration. Is seeing this message any cause for concern? No. It probably means you tried to make an invalid change to the configurations, and the program is now fixing itself.
Q: I would like to make my surnames bold (or underline, or italic etc). How do I do this? (Version 4 specific FAQ).
A: You can include printer enhancement codes into a field, a header, a label for the Family Group Sheet, or even into the labels files. The program supports for Underline, Bold, Subscript, Superscript, and Italics. Superscript, Bold and Italics are used automatically in the Descendency Reports. The commands are: Alt-U for Underline, Alt-B for Bold, Alt-S for Subscript, Alt-P for Superscript, and Alt-I for Italics. These commands are all toggle switches. Type it once to turn the function on and again to turn it off. For instance: Alt-U, This is underlined, Alt-U causes the printer to underline the words between the Alt-U's. Family Roots converts the appearance of the above codes to the commands needed by your printer. This is based on the configuration and the printer you selected. You can enter these same enhancements in text files with some word processors. Click here for further information from the July, 1994 issue of the Quinsept User Group Newsletter.
Q: One of the setting choices in the descendency reports is "Enforce System Standards". What ARE the standards? (Version 4 specific).
A: See Quinsept Corner Item # 9 in the July, 1994 issue of the Quinsept User Group Newsletter.
Q: How do I use Family Roots from a Windows (3.1 or 3.11) program group so I can go back and forth between it and my word processing program? What tips can you give me to effectively use this Windows feature?
A: See Michael Cole's Article in the September, 1993 issue of the Quinsept User Group Newsletter. Note that although the article was written for use with Family Roots version 3, much of the information can be modified for use with version 4.
NEEDED: A volunteer to write some FAQs for the Macintosh.
Q: I have the ProDos (or Apple Dos) version, and have now changed to a DOS (or Mac). Am I stuck?
A: Version 3.7C for ProDos and Version 3.4 for Apple Dos 3.3 were the last versions. A great many of the Apple II customers have traded to DOS or Mac computers. Kathryn Bassett does conversions to the DOS version of the program for a fee. Her fees are on her Paid Tech Support Alternatives page. Changing to the DOS version before making a gedcom is advisable, as the Apple II gedcom (Family Links) is quite out of date. If you want to convert to the Mac version of the program, contact Steve for pricing.
Q: How do I change my Commodore version data to IBM version when I change systems?
A: To convert from C64 to DOS, you first must convert to the Commodore 128 format for Family Roots. The reason for this if that the C64 file names are not visible in the directory, so there is nothing to grab. To convert to C128 Family Roots format you need a program called TRANSFER. This is a C64 program. It works best if you have two disk drives. Once you have the files in C128 Family Roots format, you can transfer them to DOS disks by any means you wish. The format is 100% compatible with the DOS version of Family Roots. A suggested program for the transfer is the Big Blue Reader program from S.O.G.W.A.P. Software. It is unknown at this (Jan 1998) time if either TRANSFER or Big Blue Reader is available.
Q: What is Gedcom?
A: GEDCOM stands for GEnealogical Data COMmunications. It is a file layout, not software. The Mormon Church produces the standards document for GEDCOM. The church and most genealogical software manufacturers use the GEDCOM format to transfer data automatically (usually via disk). Each manufacturer makes a software translator to go from GEDCOM to their own internal format and vice versa. QUINSEPT's software for IBM compatibles, Macintosh, and Apple II include GEDCOM functions.
Q: I have the back issues of the Quinsept User Group Newsletter. Is there an index of Gedcom tips?
A: Some of the tips may be seen in the September 1995, November 1995 and January 1996 issues of the Quinsept User Group Newsletter which are not connected to the web page at this time. However, there is a lot of advice on Gedcom procedures in general available on the Internet.
(End of FAQs)
Any word processor that creates ASCII files can be used with Family Roots to append stories to the Persons sheets and Family Group Sheets, and to modify the forms that Family Roots prints.
APPENDING TEXT FILES
You will find further explanation of ASCII files and instructions on naming text files in chapter 11 of the Family Roots manual. At the bottom of page 11-1 you will find an easy method for determining if your word processor saves files in ASCII format. Page 11-4 has information for setting left and right margins correctly for appending the files to Persons and Family Group sheets.
ASCII files contain no underlining, boldface or other text style changes. Everything will be printed in the same style.
To append text files, use your word processor to write the files and save them in ASCII format. If your word processor doesn't save files in ASCII format or there isn't an easy utility with your word processor that will convert the files to ASCII, you might be able to print to a file instead of to the printer. Some word processors will allow you to select your printing device. If you provide a file name as the device, your text file will be printed to this file name. This creates an ASCII file. There is also a utility included with Family Roots called STRIP that converts some files to ASCII. The instructions for using this utility are included in the Family Roots manual on page 13-16 as well as on page 11-2.
Save the ASCII files in the subdirectory you created with the DOS command "Make Directory" and names as the text path in the Family Roots MANAGER program. For example, if you want all your Family Roots text files together in a path called \ROOTS\TEXT\, create a TEXT subdirectory of the ROOTS subdirectory. From the C: prompt type:
MD \ROOTS\TEXT
If you get the message "Cannot Create Subdirectory", it probably means that it already exists. Run the MANAGER program, select System Controls and Define Paths. Change your text path to \ROOTS\TEXT\. Different word processors have various methods of assigning the files to subdirectories. PC-Write uses the common method of including the path name with the file name. So to create a file named RN12.TXT on the path \ROOTS\TEXT\, the file name you would enter when asked what file to edit would be:
\ROOTS\TEXT\RN12.TXT
You can create text files for every person who has a story to tell. Each person should have their own separate file, named using their record number. When you make a Persons sheet for this person, or a Family Group Sheet that includes this person, the text file will be appended to the bottom of the form. The parameters that control this are: APPEND TEXT FILES, ASK FOR TEXT PATH, VERIFY TEXT DISKETTE, ASK FOR TEXT FILE NAME, PRINT SIZE FOR TEXT FILES, and MARGIN FOR TEXT FILES. The first 3 are explained on pages 7-12 and 7-13 of the Family Roots manual. In addition, if VERIFY TEXT DISKETTE is set to "Yes" and no text file is found for a person in the Family Group sheet, you will be asked to insert a disk with the text file or name the path where the file can be found. Press (Ctrl-Z) if no file exists to continue with the next person's text file. If this parameter is set to "No" and no file exists for one of the people, a message will be displayed on the screen but you will not have a chance to change disks or be required to make any response. The program will continue with the next person's file immediately.
These parameters are not included with the rest of the parameters in the Family Roots manual for the GROUPS programs, and the last 3 parameters are not explained anywhere in the Family Roots manual. They were added to the programs after the manual was published. Setting ASK FOR TEXT FILE NAME to "No" means that both the PERSONS and GROUPS programs will try to append text files with the standard RN##.TXT file names. Setting the parameter to "Yes" will allow you to append any ASCII file saved on your computer by entering the name.
The print size and left margins for the text files are set separately from the print size and left margins for the body of the Family Roots Persons and Family Group sheets. This is because Persons sheets are usually printed at 10 characters per inch and Family Group sheets are 16.5 characters per inch. The length of the line in an ASCII text file is determined when you create the file. The print size and left margin selected for the text files should correspond to the line length you used when you set the margins and wrote the file with your word processor.
MODIFYING FAMILY ROOTS PRINTED FORMS
To modify the form printed by Family Roots, Persons sheets, Family Group sheets, Free-form charts, Pedigree charts, Tree charts, or lists, print the form to disk instead of to the printer. This is explained on page 5-22 of the Family Roots manual. The form will be printed to either your scratch disk or to the scratch path that you created on your hard disk and named in the MANAGER program as the scratch path. See page 5-28 ASK FOR SCRATCH PATH in the Family Roots manual.
If you want your word processor to enter the page breaks, when the form is printed from Family Roots, use the parameter LINES PER PAGE to 0 so no page breaks will be entered.
You will be asked to supply a name for the file for printing to disk. The file will be in ASCII format, explained above. When it has been printed, use your word processor to edit and print it on paper. Be careful to use overprint mode rather than insert mode to avoid destroying the column format of the original form. Rather than deleting words, replace them with spaces. There will be some strange looking characters at the beginning of the file. These are print control characters. Since your word processor will provide its own print control characters, you should probably delete these. There may or may not be page break characters depending on how you set up the parameters in Family Roots.
SOME OF THE WORD PROCESSORS THAT WORK WITH FAMILY ROOTS
PC-WRITE and VISA WRITE work well and the files need no modification.
DISPLAY WRITE ASSISTANT will also save an ASCII file.
WORDSTAR creates an ASCII file when you use Non-Document mode.
Q&A; Use to save the file in ASCII format.
FIRST CHOICE creates an ASCII file when you choose Save as different type of file from the Files menu. Use the extension .ASC in the file name you enter. The file name should be RN###.ASC (using the correct Record Number in place of ###). From the menu of Type of File to Save that appears, select ASCII. It will be saved in the current directory which should be listed on the screen. This is the directory you should enter in the Family Roots MANAGER program as the Path for Text. Select Set System Parameters, then Define Paths to change the path.
Also change the text file extension in the MANAGER program. Select Set Program Parameters, Change PERSONS Values. Be sure to include the period at the beginning of the .ASC. Press until you return to the first menu of MANAGER and select D) SAVE CONFIGURATION DATA. Whenever the above instructions tell you to use "RN.##.TXT" as a file name, you should use "RN##.ASC" using the record number in place of "##".
To modify a Family Roots form that has been printed to disk, enter the file name in response to the "Get which file?" question. In the menu of Types of Files to Get, select either ASCII or ASCII - Remove extra carriage returns.
MULTIMATE files must be converted to ASCII format. There is a file conversion utility included with Multimate that will do this. It is menu driven and easy to use. You will be asked to supply the path, name and extension for both the source and destination files. The path for the source file is the full name of the subdirectory or drive where the file was saved by Multimate. The name of the source file will be whatever name you gave it when you created it with Multimate, probably RN## with the appropriate record number in place of "##". The extension will be ".MM" for the source file. The destination path should be the same as the path you named in MANAGER as your text path if you are using a hard disk. On a floppy disk system the path will be the drive with the disk. On a floppy disk system the path will be the drive with the disk you want to use as your Family Roots text disk. The file name should be RN## with the proper record number in place of "##", and the extension should be ".TXT". Convert to ASCII format.
LEADING EDGE This example will make a file that will append to the individual sheet for number 40 in the PERSONS program.
1. Using the LEADING EDGE word processing program, create a file called RN40 on your TEXT disk or path. This will be a non-ASCII file and will have the default extension ".DOC".
2. Set the left margin at 1 and the right margin at 60. This will fit within the margins of a Persons sheet printed with 10 characters per inch on 8 inch paper. If you are using smaller print you can have a longer line. If you set the line too long you will get the extra characters on a line by themselves and then another line feed.
3. Type the text. You can experiment with printer enhancements like underlining, italics and boldface to see what will happen.
4. Save the file, then select Utilities to convert it to ASCII. Give the ASCII file the name RN40.TXT. This is the file that will be appended to the individual sheet.
5. Go into the Family Roots PERSONS program and set the Append Text File parameter to Yes. Print a sheet for number 40. You should see the text file printed at the bottom of the page. This will tell you which of your printing enhancements will work properly.
WORD PERFECT To convert your file to an ASCII or DOS text file using Word Perfect 4 or 5, press for Text IN/Out. This brings up a menu on the bottom of your screen. With Word Perfect 5 select choice 1, DOS Text. This step is not necessary with Word Perfect 4.
With both versions select choice 1, Save. You must then enter a file name. This file name should include the disk drive if it is different from the current drive. On a hard disk the file name should begin with the text path as you have entered it in the Family Roots MANAGER program. The name of the file is RN followed by the record number, followed by a period and the extension for text files you have entered in MANAGER. The default extension is ".TXT". An example of a file name on a floppy disk system would be B:RN345.TXT. An example of a file name on a hard disk system would be C:\ROOTS\TEXT\RN345.TXT. If you already have a file by that name you will be asked if you want to replace it. Answer "Yes". Press F7 to exit. You will be asked if you want to save the document, answer "No". (If you want to save a Word Perfect version of the file as well, do it before you convert the file.) To modify a Family Roots form that has been printed to disk, retrieve it as a document into Word Perfect Press for the Text In/Out menu instead of the retrieve command, or press F5 for a directory, then F1 to retrieve the file. It will be converted automatically. With version 5 select 1, DOS Text then 2, Retrieve (CR/LF to [HRt]). With version 4 select 2, Retrieve a DOS file.
With both versions you then enter the file name including the disk drive or scratch path where the file can be found. You should set the Word Perfect margins wide enough to accommodate the line length of the document you are retrieving. If you are editing a structured pedigree chart that you had printed with the print size set to 16.5 on 8 inch paper, your lines will be 132 characters long. To get Word Perfect to accept a line that long without scrapping, you may have to set the pitch or font to small or condensed size print. Press Ctrl-F8, then 1, Size to change the print size.
You can use this same method to retrieve text files that need editing if you did not save a Word Perfect copy. Or Press F5 for a directory, then F1 to retrieve the file. It will be converted automatically.
You can also use Text In on the List Files Menu to import either type of DOS text files into Word Perfect.
Files from some early versions of Word Perfect can be modified using the Family Roots utility STRIP described on page 13-16. This does not work on the later versions. Word Perfect files can also be converted by printing them to a disk file as described at the beginning of this article.
MICROSOFT WORKS It is easier if you create the text path as a subdirectory of the \WORKS\ directory, for example \WORKS\FRTEXT. This is the directory you should enter in the Family Roots MANAGER program as the Path for Text. Run the Family Roots MANAGER and select Set System Parameters, then Define Paths to change the path.
To create a new file in Microsoft Works choose the NEW command from the file menu. This is automaticallyselected when you first start Works. Select the New Word Processor button.
Type the text file as you want it to appear on the Persons and Groups sheets. Set the top and bottom margins to zero so extra blank lines will not be saved in the file. Set the left and right margins for the proper line length you want. The left margin will be added to the Margin For Text parameter set in Family Roots, so it is usually set to zero.
Press to pull down the Format menu. Select Plain to save as ASCII file with a carriage return (CR) at the end of every line. Select the SAVE AS command to change the directory, name, format and save the file. If the Directory listed on the second line is not your text path, press to change directories. From the Other Drives & Directories list, select the directory that is listed as the PATH FOR TEXT in your Configuration file. (Or run the MANAGER program later and change the PATH FOR TEXT to the name of the directory you selected to store them file.)
Press
to select Printed Text from the Format Box. Press
Press to save the file. Answer "Yes" to OK to same file without formatting.
To edit an existing TEXT file or a form that has been printed to disk from Family Roots, select the OPEN command from the file menu. The TEXT files will be on the subdirectory you named as your PATH FOR TEXT. The Family Roots forms are printed to disk on either the SCRATCH PATH named in the Configuration file or in the path or on the drive you named when the file was created. Select this path or drive from the Other Drives & Directories list or include the path name, beginning with a back slash, in the file name.
Select the file to open from the Files list box and press (Enter).
Use the CLOSE command from the file menu to remove the file from memory when you have finished and after you have saved it. Answer no to the "Save Changes" question.
MICROSOFT WORD To save Word files for use as Family Roots text files, select the "format" field to the TRANSFER SAVE command. From the formats listed, select "Text-only-with-line-breaks" to save as an ASCII file with a carriage return at every line break.
When Family Roots is used on a hard disk (Apple, ProDOS, IBM and compatibles, Macintosh, or Commodore 128), the data is stored in sets of files that will fit nicely on one floppy disk. There are always three files in one set of data. The file names when used on a hard disk would be:
CONTROLS.x NAMELIST.x FAMILY.xThere are a number of advantages to storing the data in this manner:
a) It allows you to backup the data easily, since the files are sized to fit on one floppy disk.
b) It allows you to backup only part of the data, presumably only the part that you recently changed. This reduces your work in making backups. In order to make intelligent use of this, you may need to understand the relationship between disk number and record numbers. That is explained at the end of section 3 in the Family Roots manual.
c) It allows you to off-load part of the data from your hard disk if you are no longer using it. This can be used to conserve disk space. d) It enables you to exchange part of your data with another Family Roots user, provided you both are using the same setup. (Note: without the same setup, FAMILY LINKS would be needed).
You can
attach the tree icon supplied with Version 4.x to the startup file
(fr.exe). You can make it easy to start Family Roots in two ways:
via a shortcut icon or from the Start button. They are NOT mutually
exclusive, i.e. you can do both. If you attach the tree icon before
doing anything else, the icon will show up for the shortcut and the
Program menu as well.
Here are the steps for attaching the tree icon:
a) Open the My Computer icon (double click).
b) Open the C: drive. (Or the drive where Family Roots resides).
c) Open the folder that contains the Family Roots programs. That's usually
either FR4 or ROOTS.
d) Select the icon FR, i.e. click only ONCE on it, not twice.
e) Pull down the File and choose Properties.
f) There are some pictures of file folders. Click the tab at the top that
says Program.
g) Type anything you like in the top box. It is suggested that you use "Family
Roots Version 4".
h) Put "FR.EXE" in the "Cmd line" box.
i) Leave the Batch File, Shortcut, and Run boxes unchanged.
j) Check the "Close on exit" box. That makes it close the window automatically
when you quit Family Roots, rather than forcing you to close it yourself.
k) Click the "Change Icon..." button.
l) Type the icon name in the top box. Just start typing. You don't have
to erase anything. If you have version 4.1 or later in the folder FR4 on
the C: drive, the icon name is "C:\FR4\FRICON.ICO" or if the ROOTS folder
than "C:\ROOTS\FRICON.ICO". If you have version 4.0 in the ROOTS folder
on the C: drive, the icon name is "C:\ROOTS\ICON.FR".
m) Click OK, then click OK again in the next window. The FT icon should
now look like a tree.
n) Close all the open windows.
Here are the steps to make a shortcut icon for Family Roots, to place on
the desktop:
a) Do steps a through d above. (Opening windows).
b) Pull down the File and choose Create Shortcut.
c) Type the name you prefer for the shortcut. (i.e. FR Version 4).
d) Drag the shortcut out of the window onto the desktop. Place it anywhere
it is convenient on the desktop.
e) Close all the open windows.
f) Test the shortcut by double clicking on it. Family Roots should start.
Here are the steps to add Family Roots to the program menu listed from
the start button:
a) Click the Start button.
b) Choose Settings, then click Taskbar.
c) Click the folder tab near the top that says "Start Menu Programs".
d) Click the "Add..." button.
e) Click the "Browse..." button.
f) Open the folder that contains Family Roots. That's either FR4 or ROOTS.
g) Open FR, i.e. either click on FR then Open, or double click FR.
h) Click the "Next>" button.
i) It says "select the folder for the shortcut". If there's an existing
folder that you like, select it. If not, click the "New Folder" button.
If you clicked the "New Folder", it makes a new line called "Program Group
(1)". Type your preferred folder name on the keyboard. You don't have to
erase anything, just start typing. You may want to use "Genealogy" as the
folder name.
j) Type the name for the "shortcut". This can be anything. You may want
to use "Family Roots Version 4".
k) Click the "Finish" button.
l) That's the end, but there are still some screens open. Click OK on each
one to clear them.
When you are in Family Roots running under Windows 95, you can switch from
a window to full screen (and vice versa) at any time. Just hold down the
ALT key and hit "enter".
Let us first discuss how to get an alphabetical list of all the names from your Family Roots database. If it is more than a few thousand names, it will be faster to accomplish by exiting WINDOWS to MS-DOS. (If you don't know how to close WINDOWS, don't worry about that step). Now run Family Roots. (Surely I don't need to describe how to do that). Choose "LISTS" from the main menu. Check the parameters to make sure "PRINT TO DISK" and "MERGE AUTOMATICALLY" and "SAVE MERGES ON DISK" are set to Yes. I suggest setting "PRINT EXTRA FIELD" to Yes. Press and then choose "Make Alphabetical List". Then choose "Number range". Start with 1 and end with your largest record number. Next sit back and relax; this will take awhile, even for a 486.
Eventually, the screen will say, "Please specify a file name where your list is to be saved:" I choose ALPHABET.LST (or you should use whatever extension that your word processor can read such as .DOC or .TXT). Press (Enter). At "...continuation of some previous printing?" press N. (I note here that my screen shows my path, or subdirectory, to be C:\ROOTS\SCRATCH.) At "OK to continue?" press Y. Now the computer will ask, "Which field do you want on the list:" I choose BIRTH DATE. Again, be patient; the computer is going to be busy for quite a while.
When it is finished, exit out of Family Roots. (You may reboot WINDOWS at this point). Run your word processor. Then load "ALPHABET.LST." (Remember the file name and what subdirectory, or path, in which you placed it). "DOS Text Conversion" occurs with WordPerfect. Be patient if the list is very long. After it is available on the screen for editing, you will see "ALPHABETIC LIST" followed by the date the list was created. Also the file shows columns labeled RECORD NUMBER, NAME, and BIRTH DATE. I add "through RN=20,500" below the title of my newly created list. (That many names uses 1.2MB of disk space and would fill 381 pages if I printed them to paper). Now save it back to disk with the same file name, "ALPHABET.LST" in my case. Now delete (erase) the two files called "SLISTxx". Now exit from your word processor and go back to the WINDOWS screen.
Let's now discuss how to set up the program manager of WINDOWS. Be sure you are in the window of "Program Manager". This part will add a Program Group upon which the magic of WINDOWS can be called. Using your mouse, click on the "OK" box. In the box after "Description:" type Family Roots. Leave the "Group File" box blank. Now click on "OK".
Now you will see a big window that you just gave birth to, with the title bar called "Family Roots." Ignore this for now.
Go back and again click on File under Program Manager, then click on New. Select "Program Item" and click on "OK" box. In the box after "Description:" type Family Roots. Then click in the box after "Command Line:" and type C:\ROOTS\FR.EXE then click in the box after "Working Directory:" and type C:\ROOTS. Click in box after "Shortcut Key:" and press F key. "Ctrl+Alt+F" appears on the screen in that box now. Now click on "Change Icon", then click on the "OK" box on the next window. Then click at the arrow boxes to search through the available icons. Click the mouse once over the icon you like, then click on "OK". Now click on the "OK" box in the window that says "Program Item Properties" (back where we were earlier). Now Family Roots and its icon are located in the window I said to ignore earlier. (Note that icons are moved around on the screen by clicking on them and holding down the mouse button.)
Now again go back to "File" and click the mouse button. Choose "New". Click "OK" when you see "Program Item" is highlighted. Now in the box after "Description:" type the name of your word processor. I type WordPerfect 5.1). After "Command Line:" type the path and filename to run your word processor program. (I type C:\WP51\WP.EXE). After "Working Directory:" type C:\ROOTS\SCRATCH, unless you use a different subdirectory for printing to disk. After "Shortcut Key:" press W. Ctrl+Alt+W will appear in the box. Click on "Change Icon" and choose the icon you like as you did before. When you get back to "Program Item Properties" click on the "OK" box.
Now the earlier ignored window contains two icons representing the two programs essential to the remainder of the "trick". Now minimize this window by clicking on the down arrow in the upper right corner of "Family Roots."
WINDOWS allows you to have more than one program loaded into the computer's memory at the same time. This is called multitasking. Let's now fix the system so you can stitch quickly between programs. Click twice on the icon called "Main" unless its window is already present. Locate the "Control Panel" icon and click twice on it. Then click twice on "Desktop." Click on the box under "Applications" called "Fast Alt+Tab Switching" so that an X appears in the box. Then click on the "OK" box in the upper right corner of this window. Now close the "Control Panel."
Now everything is all set to start taking advantage of the functions of WINDOWS. Personally, I see no advantage to Quinsept ever creating a WINDOWS version of Family Roots.
You should now be back at a WINDOW screen that says "Program Manager" at the top. Here's how to put it all together. Hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys and press the F key. Family Roots should load and run. Choose "EDIT" from the main menu; then select "Edit records," then "Number List." Let's say at this point you can't remember the record number. No problem. Hold Alt and press Tab. When you see "Program Manager" release the Alt key. Now hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys and press W. This should load and run your word processor. From your word processor, load the file "ALPHABET.LST" or whatever you called it. Now use the search feature of your word processor to find the specific name you are seeking. Once you locate the record number, remember it or write it down, then hold Alt and press Tab (repeatedly if necessary) until you see Family Roots, then release the Alt key. Now you may continue editing in Family Roots.
Now when you want to look up another name just use the Alt and Tab keys to jump back and forth between Family Roots and your word processor. A faster method that usually works is simply to use Ctrl, Alt, F or Ctrl, Alt, W to jump between the two programs. Other advantages include that you can look up something in your Family Roots database or even print to disk a family group sheet while you are in the middle of typing a letter, then jump immediately back to where you were working in your word processor. If you never turn your computer off, do not leave Family Roots running constantly or your "Last Updated" date will not change form day to day.
The forgoing explanation is exactly how I have WINDOWS set up with the following exceptions. I also have a separate Program Group that will load my word processor and use a diskette instead of the hard drive for my working directory. Also, my icon for Family Roots looks like the Quinsept logo, except it is in color.
The ENFORCE SYSTEM STANDARDS parameter applies to the Descendency report. When set to Yes, it says "I want a standard report and I want you to set the other parameters to make that happen." You choose the type of standard report with the SYSTEM parameter.
Setting ENFORCE SYSTEM STANDARDS to Yes causes the following parameters to be temporarily set as indicated. A blank space means the parameter is used as you set it.
Register Modified Henry
Register
Abbreviate for Children Yes No
Capitalize Main Names Yes No
Italicize Lineage Yes No
Make Main Names Bold No Yes Yes
Make Main Number Bold Yes Yes No
Place Sources (M/E/O) Middle End
Restart Roman Numerals No (None Used)
Show Child's First Spouse Yes
Show Child's Full Name No Yes Yes
Show Date Before Place No Yes
Show RN with Names No No No
Show Generation Superscript Yes Yes No
Show Special ID with Names No No No
Show Lineage after Name Yes Yes No
Use Month Names Yes Yes Yes
Use Last Name First No No No
Use Married Name No No No
Note: The New England Historic Genealogical Society produces the standard for Register format. They changed the standard in the last few months. The change affects only the PLACE SOURCES (M/E/O) parameter above. It should be set to END now to match the new standard. We'll correct that in an update.
They work with PC-Write and Word Perfect 5.1, but not with PFS Window Works. You have to use other keys to enter the commands and they will not have the same effect when you print the files from your word processor. In fact, they might have very strange effects. This is only of use if you print your text files only from FAMILY ROOTS. Use (Alt-1) to start and stop Italics. Hold down the Alt key while you type the number 1 from the keypad at the right of the keyboard. (Alt-2) is used for Underline, (Alt-3) for Bold, (Alt-5) for Subscript and(Alt-6) for Superscript.
The commands for the primary printer appear in indices 645 to 654 in the configuration. The current commands are for the printer enhancements listed above. You could substitute different commands to use special features of the printer. For example, you could substitute the command for double size, shadow or outline printing into the normal position for italics. It's not trivial, but if you know your way around your printer manual, it's something you might want to play with. You can always change it back if it doesn't work. You can note the original command values if you first print your configuration file (from the OTHER menu) starting with index 638.
If you want a printer enhancement for specific fields in a printout, it would be too much work to add printer codes to every record in the data base. Instead, you could add it to the label that is printed in front of the field in the .LAB file for that printout. Then add the command to turn that function off to the label for the field that follows. Change the parameter PRINT EMPTY FIELDS to Yes, causing this label and the label that follows to print even when one or both of the fields is empty. If the command is Double Size, you might want to follow the field with a blank line to prevent crowding. The major flaw in this system is that the main names in most printouts don't have labels, and I can't think of a way to enhance only the names. The ability to enhance all names by changing a parameter is on the wish list, but haven't done it yet. Perhaps in the next version.
To add printer controls to the labels files, use the HEADER editor under the OTHER menu. Or use a word processor that allows using the Alt keys for the necessary codes. The file must be saved in ASCII or Text format if you use a word processor. The path is the directory where the programs reside. The filename is PERSONS.LAB or DESCENT.LAB or whatever .LAB file is used for that printout. The HEADER editor doesn't work like most editors, the TAB key is used to go on the next line. Check page 157-158, 164 and page x at the beginning of the FAMILY ROOTS manual for the keys to use. The book talks about editing Template Headers, but in fact, those are the keys to use to edit any header or ASCII file. It would be very wise to make a copy of all the .LAB files on a floppy disk before changing them.
The contents on this page will depend on you, the Family Roots user. If you are willing to help others, please let us know. Tell us which version(s) you are willing to help with; whether by via email, snailmail, or phone calls; your email address, snailmail address, and/or phone number as appropriate for which way you are willing to help. You will then be listed on this page for others to see. You are welcome to place limits on the help. (This is for Free help. If you want to provide paid help, see the Paid Technical Support page).
One example - you have lots of experience making gedcoms back and forth with PAF and are willing to help others having a problem. Another example - you make extensive use of Story files (called text files in older versions), and are willing to help others understand the procedure. Last example - you use Tree Charts and understand how to grow and prune trees, and are willing to help others.
You do not have to know everything about Family Roots, or about all of Quinsept's programs to help others.
When one of you helps another, it will also help others if you carbon copy the Q: & A: to Kathryn (kathryn@bassett.net) or to Margo (margo@ogram.org) so that the problem and solution can be worked into the appropriate FAQ: page.
QUINSEPT REPRESENTATIVES: These were the representatives on file at the time of Quinsept's closing in August 1996. It is unknown if any of them are still able to provide help. If you have questions on FAMILY ROOTS, please contact them, and let webmaster know if there should any deletions or corrections.
AL 1. Bernie Diamond, DIAGENES, 26 South Lafayette, Mobile AL
36604.
AK 2. Jane McMillan Ginter, Ginter Computer Consulting, 115 Troy
Avenue, Juneau, AK 99801.
AZ 3. Kay & Bob Inman, 1328 E Hermosa Drive, Tempe AZ 85282
CA 4. Kathryn R. Bassett, Pasadena, CA
CA 5. Shirley de Coup-Crank, 535 Sunset Drive,
Paradise, CA 95969-3026 (530) 872-2187.
6. Rhett Williamson, 8545 Kencrest Dr, Winston, GA 30187
IA 7. Wendell W. Stream, 809 Maple Ave., Woodward, IA 50276.
(515) 438-4142
IN 8. Robert F. Johnson, 8824 Dunmore Lane, Fort Wayne, IN
46804-3434.
KS 9. William Akright (Kansas City area), 1985 W. 123rd Place,
Leawood, KS 66209 (913) 345 9479
MI 10. Janet L. Gerstenecker, JLOG, 6626 Emerald Lake, Troy MI
48098
11. Susan Curtis, 8768 Horizon Drive, Traverse City MI 49684
12. Bill Worden, 1201 Glendale, Midland MI 48642-5105
(517) 631-7801.
MN 13. Kevin and Frances Passe, 3242 - 6th Ave SW, Rochester MN
55902. (507) 282-4027.
NJ 14. Keith Sproul, 698 Magnolia Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08902
NY 15. William C. Bates, 85 Howard Lane, Tonawanda, NY 14150
OK 16. Anthony Rockefeller, 916 East 61st, Apt 2-D, Tulsa OK
74134.
TN 17. Bob and Janette Kemper, 102 Case Lane, Oak Ridge, TN
37830-7717
18. Michael L. Knox, 2098 Goldfrier Lane, Memphis, TN
38134-6930
TX 19. Clifton Taylor, 2515 Riata Lane, Houston, TX 77043
VA 20. Qunisept User Group, 102 Broadfield Lane, Spotsylvania, VA
22553-1815
WA 21. Audrey Vogelpohl, 8810 Thirty-Seventh Ave. S.W., Seattle,
WA 98126
WI 22. Leon Worden, ROOTS & BRANCHES, P.O. BOX 733, Wisconsin
Dells, WI 53965-0733
QUINSEPT REPRESENTATIVES IN CANADA:
AB 23. Ulrich Haasdyk, 64 Strathcona Road, NW
Calgary, AB, T3H 1X5.
BC 24. Alan M. Young, Vista Office Scapes, P.O. Box 1560,
Revelstoke, V0E 2S0
ON 25. Douglas Hughes, RR 2, Osgoode, Ontario K0A 2W0.
SK 26. John Quesnel, 1345 Lakewood Drive North, Regina,
Saskatchewan, S4X 3L6 CANADA. (306) 779-4363.
QUINSEPT REPRESENTATIVE IN NEW ZEALAND
1. Ted Davidson, 40 Oceanbeach Road, Mount Maunganui
New Zealand
****HELPFUL DEALERS****
AUSTRALIA
1. VICTORIAN GENEALOGISTS USING MICROS, William E. Gunther,
5th Floor - 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000