I've released a new beta test version of Family Tree Analyzer this version has a new feature that shows on a timeline where your family tree members were in the selected year. It then draws those points on a map.
If you are reasonably good with a computer (it needs a unzip install and I need feedback on the features) and would be prepared to assist testing the new features please visit the website and download the beta test version.
Now without meaning to sound unkind, if you are the sort of person who might struggle to download and unzip the beta test version then it's probably better that you wait until I'm ready with the proper released version that will auto update when you start FTAnalyzer. The reason is I need people to test out the features give feedback on how they can be made better, let me know of things that work/don't work and generally engage in testing and giving feedback.
So if you are struggling to download or install then you are not the target audience for a beta test. Nothing wrong with that I just need people who can test and give positive criticism of the work on the new features. I need to spend time getting them right and not explaining to people how to install the beta.
Also note that the beta implements a test database to store the results of a Geo-coding. It may be that beta testers will have to delete this test database when the live version comes out so if you aren't confident of doing that again it might be better to wait.
For those that are able to assist once you unzip the program you should be able to run the .exe file and try out the new map features. Note that in order to display things on a map the program needs to connect to Google Maps so you must be online with a fairly good internet connection (one that is ok for browsing maps) for it to work.
Once FTA connects to Google Maps it will lookup the locations in your file and try to convert them into Lat/Long co-ordinates. This is another reason that it is wise to tidy up locations in your file as the lookup to Google Maps may well fail to find the location if its too vague. Note that even with the best formatted locations Google will sometimes not find a location.
With this early test version the logic for geocoding locations will need tweaked to help Google Maps understand where you were looking for. Help finding out how to tweak it is one of the tests people could undertake.
As well as geocoding your locations it will then display the data on a Timeline showing for each year the location an ancestor was at in that year (or the location from the nearest fact date to that year). This of course assumes the ancestor was alive in that year.
This Timeline report is of course a proof of concept report the aim is once the concept is proved and the kinks ironed out it can form the basis of other more useful map based reports. eg: a map of the Fact Locations for an ancestor or a family, with a line tracing the birth location, through life event locations to death location. Thus showing the "life path" of an individual or family.
If you are reasonably good with a computer (it needs a unzip install and I need feedback on the features) and would be prepared to assist testing the new features please visit the website and download the beta test version.
Now without meaning to sound unkind, if you are the sort of person who might struggle to download and unzip the beta test version then it's probably better that you wait until I'm ready with the proper released version that will auto update when you start FTAnalyzer. The reason is I need people to test out the features give feedback on how they can be made better, let me know of things that work/don't work and generally engage in testing and giving feedback.
So if you are struggling to download or install then you are not the target audience for a beta test. Nothing wrong with that I just need people who can test and give positive criticism of the work on the new features. I need to spend time getting them right and not explaining to people how to install the beta.
Also note that the beta implements a test database to store the results of a Geo-coding. It may be that beta testers will have to delete this test database when the live version comes out so if you aren't confident of doing that again it might be better to wait.
For those that are able to assist once you unzip the program you should be able to run the .exe file and try out the new map features. Note that in order to display things on a map the program needs to connect to Google Maps so you must be online with a fairly good internet connection (one that is ok for browsing maps) for it to work.
Once FTA connects to Google Maps it will lookup the locations in your file and try to convert them into Lat/Long co-ordinates. This is another reason that it is wise to tidy up locations in your file as the lookup to Google Maps may well fail to find the location if its too vague. Note that even with the best formatted locations Google will sometimes not find a location.
With this early test version the logic for geocoding locations will need tweaked to help Google Maps understand where you were looking for. Help finding out how to tweak it is one of the tests people could undertake.
As well as geocoding your locations it will then display the data on a Timeline showing for each year the location an ancestor was at in that year (or the location from the nearest fact date to that year). This of course assumes the ancestor was alive in that year.
This Timeline report is of course a proof of concept report the aim is once the concept is proved and the kinks ironed out it can form the basis of other more useful map based reports. eg: a map of the Fact Locations for an ancestor or a family, with a line tracing the birth location, through life event locations to death location. Thus showing the "life path" of an individual or family.
