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╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Description of PAF Review - From File PAFRV.DES ║
╟──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╢
║ PAF Review - Edition 93.4 - June 1993 ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
╔═════════════════╗
║ Why PAF Review? ║
╚═════════════════╝
I am an avid family history researcher and a PAF user, as well as
an interested observer of the electronic bulletin board phenomena.
In late 1992 I started looking around the BBS world to see what
utilities might be available to enhance PAF. I looked first on my
favorite local BBS, Hackers Haven. This is normally one of the best
places in Utah to look for files. A couple of PAF related utilities
were there, although they were quite old. Next came Channel 1 and
Exec-PC, two of the largest BBSes in the country, where I found a
few more of these utilities. Again most were older. I then checked
in CompuServe's Genealogy Forum. I found more programs, including
some that were very recent. After several weeks searching, I had
located more than 50 programs! However this required my contacting
and sorting through the file lists of several dozen different BBSes.
PAF is a very popular program among genealogists. It surprised me
that shareware for PAF was not more readily available. During my
review I also found it difficult to determine which was the latest
version of each program and to locate current copies. Perhaps
someday the Genealogy Software Distribution System (GSDS) will solve
this problem, making the latest versions of these files rapidly
available throughout the world. For now, it takes some sleuth work
and a lot of long distance calls to find what you are looking for!
PAF Review is an effort to share the information I've gathered, to
save others the same time and expense. I hope this will help make
these programs widely available and encourage present and potential
shareware/freeware authors to continue their development of quality
utilities for PAF. I plan to include all programs which are helpful
to users of PAF or to programmers who want to access data from PAF.
This includes programs aimed at easing the transfer of information
between PAF and other genealogy programs, including FamilySearch.
For the present I have decided not to include programs that are only
available as commercial products. I have included several which are
restricted versions (designated Demo) or which have newer versions
that are commercial programs. Several readers of PAF Review have
suggested that I expand its scope to include all PAF related
software, whether shareware or commercial. Perhaps I will do so
when I have tracked down and included all (I may have to be
satisfied with 99%!) of my current targets.
PAF Review Edition 93.4 (June 1993) PAFRV.DES Page 2
╔═════════════════════════╗
║ Changes in This Edition ║
╚═════════════════════════╝
There are 109 entries in edition 93.4 of PAF Review, up from 101 in
the last edition. There were 8 additions, while 9 of the previous
entries have been updated to describe newer versions or to correct
or expand descriptive information. Seven of the new entries
represent new programs, some of which I am just "newly aware" of.
The other is for a new freeware demo of Jan Unter's popular
HotNotes! commercial program. A new file, README.CHG, has been
added listing files that have been added or changed. Three more
review files have been added. These contain subjective review
information on the functioning and value of the program or file
being reviewed. The reviews are still prototypes that may change
a lot after I put some more thought into this process.
The packaging of PAF Review has been changed. Now the archive for
each version contains just three files: a README file, a BBS file
description in FILE_ID.DIZ and a self-extracting archive called
INSTALL.EXE. Executing this third program will create all the other
files. This was done because some BBSes would not allow both
versions to be uploaded since the files the "changes only" version
contained were duplicated in the comprehensive version. I am still
working on format that is less complicated to deal with, but very
early in the process.
╔═══════════════════════════════════╗
║ Copyright and Distribution Policy ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════╝
Any material in PAF Review not quoted from others is copyright 1993
by Mike St. Clair. You may upload copies of PAF Review to BBSes or
other information providers for free redistribution. You may not
charge a fee for PAF Review beyond the cost of distribution. BBSes
may provide PAF Review for downloading and post portions as
bulletins. Users groups and genealogy organizations may reprint PAF
Review or include portions in their newsletters. Individuals and
nonprofit organizations may use this material for any purpose other
than generating income without any other permission than is granted
in this section. All other rights are reserved.
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ File Naming/Edition Numbering for PAF Review ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════╝
A CUMULATIVE edition of PAF Review will be issued around the first
of each month if any new utilities or releases have appeared. The
file name will be PAFRV followed by a year (YY) and an issue
character starting with "1", incrementing until it reaches "9", then
starting through the alphabet beginning with "A". This edition, the
fourth in 1993, is 93.4 with a file name of PAFRV934.ZIP. Instead
of ZIP, the file extension may be LZH, ARJ, ARC, etc., depending on
the standards of the BBS where you find the file. On CompuServe,
which limits file names to six characters, the filename will always
be PAFRV.ZIP omitting the date/edition from the name.
A "Changes Only" version will be issued simultaneously. It will use
the same naming pattern but the file name will begin with PAFRC
instead of PAFRV. This smaller version will not include information
on any programs/files that have not changed since the previous
edition of PAF Review. A change could be a new program, a new
version, or a revision of the description to correct or improve it.
PAF Review Edition 93.4 (June 1993) PAFRV.DES Page 3
╔═══════════════════════╗
║ For Shareware Authors ║
╚═══════════════════════╝
PAF Review may help you be more successful if current information
about your products is included. Please let me know where you
upload new versions so I can check periodically. If you would
prefer, send me revisions or new utilities by mail. It's my goal to
see that the software in PAF Review is widely available. I will be
regularly sending or uploading copies to the locations identified
in the next paragraph. I will also be promoting distribution of
these files on the Genealogical Software Distribution System (GSDS),
which reaches all parts of the U.S. and some foreign locations.
╔═══════════════════════════════╗
║ Where to Find These Utilities ║
╚═══════════════════════════════╝
The following sources will usually have the latest versions. The
first two only allow paid subscribers to download. The others allow
access at no charge, although a small donation to any BBS that you
use regularly would always be welcome. For FidoNet BBSes, the
current node number is given. Note that Ancestry is home of John
Grove, North American GSDS Coordinator.
Channel 1 BBS (617) 354-3137 Boston, MA
PC-OHIO BBS(157/200) (216) 291-3048 Cleveland, OH
Ancestry BBS(123/456) (813) 382-9061 Sebring, FL
Capital PAF UG BBS(109/422) (301) 989-8960 Wash. D.C. area
Hackers Haven BBS (801) 224-4031 Provo/Orem, UT
NGS/CIG BBS(109/302) (703) 528-2712 Wash. D.C. area
Livewire Online BBS(2320/110) (502) 933-4725 Louisville, KY
FamilySearch BBS (801) 240-3903 Salt Lake City, UT
Your Roots BBS (311/10) (801) 359-0925 Salt Lake City, UT
Internet "wood.cebaf.gov" The PAF programs are available via
anonymous FTP in directory
/genealogy/paf. GEDCOM programs
are in /genealogy/programs.
Any BBS that deal with genealogy, particularly if participating in
GSDS, will have some or all of these files. Your local FidoNet BBS
system operator may be willing to request files for you. Be aware
that BBSes often post several versions of shareware programs. Look
for the file name given in PAF Review. The version number is often
part of the file description. CompuServe limits file names to six
characters which usually match the first six characters used in the
BBS file name. Don't waste time downloading an outdated version if
the current one is available.
The Genealogy Software Catalog, 3500 Gentry, Irving, TX 75062 can
provide copies of any of these utilities. The cost is $2 per disk.
By mail, add $1.50 postage and packaging for the first, and $.50 for
each additional diskette.
For a copy of the entire set of files, send me formatted diskettes
(six 1.4MB/seven 1.2MB) and a large addressed diskette mailer with
the correct postage. For updates, return one diskette and a similar
mailer. Please be patient. It may take up to several weeks for
your diskettes to be sent depending on the number of requests
outstanding.
PAF Review Edition 93.4 (June 1993) PAFRV.DES Page 4
╔═══════════════════════════════════════╗
║ File Listing - Contents of PAF Review ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════╝
The following files are included in PAF Review:
README.PRV A brief list of the files in the comprehensive
version of PAF Review (PAFRV) and a description of
how to display or print the contents.
README.NEW A brief list of the files in the "Changes only"
version of PAF Review (PAFRC) and a description of
how to display or print the contents.
PAFRV.DES Contains a description of the purpose and contents
of PAF Review. It also solicits help from shareware
authors and users to help keep PAF Review up to date
and tells how to submit proposed updates.
PAFRV.SUM Contains a summary of known PAF or GEDCOM related
utilities including: name; latest version; version's
date; size for downloading; shareware, freeware or
demo; requested fee; author; and a description of no
more than two lines (for 109 files in edition 93.4).
PAFRV.IDX A simple index of the utilities by category
XXXXXXXX.INF Each INF file will be one printed page and describe
a particular program or file in more detail,
including the file name by which it is normally
found and the author's address if known.
XXXXXXXX.REV Each REV file will contain recent, subjective review
information about a particular program. There are
still only a few REV files in this edition.
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ How You Can Submit Changes/Corrections/Suggestions/Comments ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
While I have tried to make the information in PAF Review as accurate
and complete as possible, I'm sure there are omissions and mistakes.
Please contact me if you: know of a program I missed; are willing
to contribute commentary on a program you are proficient with; or
have any constructive suggestions. To suggest additions or
revisions to this material, contact me via:
CompuServe: 71552,3314
Internet: 71552.3314@compuserve.com
GENIE: M.ST.CLAIR2
FidoNet NetMail Mike Stclair at node 312/13
Hacker's Haven BBS: Mike Stclair - public node (801) 224-4031
BBS Conferences: (all as Mike Stclair)
ILink: Genealogy, Shareware
RIME: Roots, Shareware
FIDO: GenSoft Echo
U.S. Mail: Mike St. Clair
327 North 800 East
American Fork, Utah 84003
PAF Review Edition 93.4 (June 1993) PAFRV.DES Page 5
╔═══════════════════╗
║ Important Remarks ║
╚═══════════════════╝
Many shareware authors develop programs for themselves and perhaps
a close circle of friends in response to an immediate need. They
soon find these projects take ever larger amounts of time if the
product is to become easy, safe and enjoyable to use.
The most important thing you can do to encourage the author's
continued effort is to provide feedback. Do you like the program?
Is it useful? How do you use it? Are there problems? Is it the
greatest thing since sliced bread?! Please tell the author!
The second most important thing is to register those products you
use regularly and make a payment if called for. It costs money and
takes a lot of time to develop good software. The authors deserve
and need your financial support in return for the software you find
useful and therefore use. The fee is usually very nominal compared
to commercial software purchases - and you can try the software
first to know if it works for you!
I've heard from a number of PAF-related shareware authors who were
underwhelmed by the response they received. Many authors stop
developing and improving their software because, without feedback,
they assume no one else recognized the genius of their idea. Others
turn to developing commercial only programs. Let's not let that
happen to these products that can make our research easier, more
productive and more enjoyable.
╔════════╗
║ Caveat ║
╚════════╝
Unless otherwise noted, the comments contained in PAF Review are my
own. The program descriptions are basically from the authors'
documentation, either printed or online, which I have edited to take
less room. Any review comments are based on experience with the
software in question, either my own or that of a correspondent.
While I take full responsibility for any inadvertent mistakes and
for my subjective opinions contained here (don't blame the program's
authors for what I say!), I can take no responsibility for problems
that occur because you use any program described in PAF Review.
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ IF YOUR PAF DATA IS AS IMPORTANT TO YOU AS MINE IS TO ME, ║
║ BE CAREFUL WHEN USING ANY NEW UTILITY OR VERSION OF PAF!! ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Try new software out first on a copy of your data. Use FRCHK before
and after your test to verify that you have data integrity both
before and after you run the new software. Back up your data
frequently to allow you to recover from problems that may occur.
I hope my efforts make it easier for you to find a utility that will
help you solve your PAF related problem of the moment. If you don't
find what you are looking for, let me know that too. Perhaps I will
add a wish list in the future for program authors to hear what is
needed but not available. Right now someone is probably thinking
about writing the program you need. It may be included in a future
version of PAF Review; perhaps even the next one!
PAF Review Edition 93.4 (June 1993) PAFRV.DES Page 6
╔══════════════════╗
║ Acknowledgements ║
╚══════════════════╝
Many have encouraged and assisted in the production of PAF Review.
I'd like to acknowledge the following for their special assistance:
My wife Anna Patiently let me spend more time on the computer and
the modem than most wives would tolerate.
Ann Turner Shared information about her shareware, sent good
advice and helped me get involved in GEnie
Debbi McKay Provided access to her great BBS, answered my dumb
questions about GSDS, and helped me bail out the
water when I shot a hole in the bottom of my canoe
by mistaking a commercial program for shareware.
George Archer Shared information he had been gathering for
publication at the national NGC conference.
Jack Chandler Sent copies of all his shareware and uploaded PAF
Review to GEnie for me
John Grove Provided access to his excellent BBS system, helped
me find and distribute PAF software, and helped
educate me about FidoNet and GSDS
Stephen Wood Helped set up a distribution site for these programs
on Internet.
I would also like to thank:
- BBS Sysops all around the country who have allowed me access to
their systems in tracking down these programs
- Program authors who sent information or answered my questions
- Too many to name who sent me ideas, tips, lists, etc.
- And especially those who requested copies of the PAF software
and are helping to disseminate it in their own areas
Happy PAFfing! - Mike St. Clair