Archived copy of page - this page will not be updated. Be sure to read the main support page.

Kathryn Bassett - Misc Enterprises

Who am I? . . . My Fees . . . My Hours . . .

Who am I and what makes me qualified to collect a fee for technical support for Family Roots?

Bad news! I'm leaving the rest of this page for historical reasons, but before going further, be aware that I can now (starting Jan 2008) only do conversions for the Mac & PC versions of the program because my Apple IIgs has finally bit the dust (Jan 2008). The computer itself is ok but the hard drive is no longer recognizing the operating system and booting off a floppy doesn't recognize the hard drive - and the hard drive is needed for the conversions because that's where the two programs were that were needed to do them. It's been 10 years since Steve folded shop, so you had your chance. Steve's Apple II bit the dust last year so that's not an option either.

I have been "into" both genealogy and computers since 1978. In 1984 I started selling and supporting the Family Roots™ computer program by Quinsept. It was an experiment for both Steve and I - one that was a success. For many years I had an annual usergroup at my home, and Steve enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed having him.

I'm limited in my knowledge of MacIntosh as my preferred platform is the IBM compatible machines, but I also spent a number of years using the Apple II family of computers, and had several thousand entries in Family Roots before changing to the IBM version.

When Steve was in the very early stages of Version Four, I started "in-house" testing (called Alpha testing) for him. Since I was using the outline feature of my word processing program to keep track of the things I learned, I soon realized I had the makings of a manual. Those of you who now have Version Four know the result - a totally new layout for the Family Roots manual.

Although some of my customers have come to my home, or had me go to theirs, to learn the finer points of Family Roots, most of the support has been done over the phone and via email.

Misc Enterprises

My business name of Misc Enterprises was truly a prophetic choice. Years ago I thought I had found my niche driving for a living. A series of circumstances led to my not working while I was on Workers Compensation. At that time I thought I would still go back to driving and was anticipating doing messenger service work, and maybe some home accounting, and a few other things - a miscellaneous bunch of stuff. When it came to a business name, that term just seemed to fit.

Now, years later, it still fits -- even though the miscellaneous bunch of stuff has changed. Starting in 1984, I became the first local representative for the Family Roots genealogy program by Quinsept. The growth of commercial companies entering the genealogy market led to its demise in 1997, though there are still many loyal Family Roots Users for whom I will continue to provide technical support.

Prior to folding Quinsept, Steve Vorenberg made arrangements with Bob Velke of Wholly Genes, for a direct import module into The Master Genealogist. For more information about that program, see the Wholly Genes page at http://www.whollygenes.com . Because so many Family Roots (FR) users are moving over to The Master Genealogist (TMG), and I was getting a lot of questions, I started the mail list called FR2TMG which now is largely redundant.

My fees - hourly rate

Whether the consulting is in person, on the phone, or email, my hourly rate is the same: $30 an hour. (There is a trip charge if the help necessitates going to your home. Ask for details about that.) If the phone call or email takes only a few minutes, there is no charge. When we get up to a quarter hour or more, then I expect payment. When the phone call is ending, I tell you how much you owe and you send me a check. So far the honor system has worked out well. (Family Roots users are an honest bunch) <grin>.

One way I help "update", is to do conversions of data from the Apple II & Mac platforms to the IBM platform. The Apple version of gedcom is now out of date, and that format of gedcom can not be read by the current genealogy programs. Steve wrote a very rough program for a different way of converting. Rough meaning not for the usual end user. I have use of this program to do conversions. He prefers that I do the conversions as he doesn't have the time (besides, I'm cheaper than what he was charging).

My fees - for conversion transfers

Bad news! I'm leaving the rest of this page for historical reasons, but before going further, be aware that I can now (starting Jan 2008) only do conversions for the Mac & PC versions of the program because my Apple IIgs has finally bit the dust. The computer itself is ok but the hard drive is no longer recognizing the operating system and booting off a floppy doesn't recognize the hard drive - and the hard drive is needed for the conversions because that's where the two programs were that were needed to do them. It's been 10 years since Steve folded shop, so you had your chance. Steve's Apple II bit the dust last year so that's not an option either.

Mac conversions - you must be able to provide the data images and the configuration file by dragging them onto a dos formated disk (don't use the backup routine). Sending the files via the internet doesn't work either.

For as long as my Apple IIgs continues to run, I can continue to convert data from the Apple II format to the dos format of Family Roots (see below for Mac & Commadore). My minimum is $50, which covers the majority of conversions, and very few conversions are going to run more than $75. Two things affect the price - the number of data images (note 1) and unforeseen data problems (note 2). Each has to be discussed on an individual basis.

[Techie note: the reason the number of data images is critical is because each data image has to be handled. Three data images with 300 RNs each takes more time than one data image with 900 RNs.]

What you need to send to me (address at bottom): a copy of your data (keep backup in case it's lost in the mail), a check for $50, and some information about your configuration. The information I need is the names and order of your extra user defined fields. These are the ones that are between the death information and the parents, and typically include the sex field, and may include things like occupation, burial, baptism and the like. If you do not have this information, I can still do the conversion but there is an extra $10 charge to cover the time to figure out what those fields are. By the way, that copy of your data is an actual copy - like that done with Copy II+, not the type of "backup" that is done with a backup program.

I CAN do Mac conversions too - same $50 minimum for those. However, you must be able to provide the data images and the configuration file by dragging them onto a dos formated disk (don't use the backup routine). Sending the files via the internet doesn't work either.

I'm sorry, but if your data is on a Commadore you are out of luck unless you want to send your entire working computer to Steve - his bit the dust a while back. You'll have to negotiate with him.

Note (1) - A data image is a collection of 3 files. Click here to go to the FAQ explaining data images.

Note (2) The most common problem data problem encountered is a phantom control character. It can't be seen, but it can cause the interim program to crash on that image. There are several ways of solving this, some without further charge, and the most drastic of which involves my having to charge an extra fee. Fortunately, *that* drastic measure has only happened a few times.

In the case of both Apple II & Mac transfers, what you will get back are:

  • FR4.4d (dos) copy of the program and manual (Word Perfect 5 format which can be imported into most word processors), along with your data, all on a CD
  • A letter that describes, step by step, how to install the program and data, and see a record to verify that it is there

My hours

Lastly, a word about my "hours". You may call me up until 11pm. Because of an insomnia problem it takes me a while to actually get to sleep. As a result, I don't get up until 9am - so that's the earliest you may call (all times are Pacific). Since I will accept calls for such a long period of time, I'm not shy about saying that I watch a soap opera (and eat my lunch) from 2-3 M-F, so don't call then or I will tell you to call back. I will also be honest with you if you catch me at dinner, which is *usually* 7pm-7:30pm. I work at a client's home four mornings a week (Mon-Thu) so those mornings are not good. I don't mind Sunday calls (but I'm at church in the morning). In general, the very best time to reach me at home, not in the middle of something, is 3-6pm.

Misc Enterprises (Kathryn Bassett) 626-794-7973
1080 N Holliston Ave Pasadena CA 91104-3014