TMG-L Archives

Archiver > TMG > 2002-02 > 1012755708


From: Lee Hoffman <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Long discourse on GEDCOM and witness data
Date: Sun, 03 Feb 2002 12:01:48 -0500
References: <4.2.2.20020202224222.01313d60@pop3.norton.antivirus><3C5CA1EE.1391.F22174@localhost>
In-Reply-To: <3C5D63F1.20828.1165350@localhost>


F. Langset wrote:
>-----
>Ref: Lee Hoffman, 2 Feb 2002 23:06, "Re: [TMG] Long discourse on
>GEDCOM ":
>-----
> > F. Langset wrote:
> > ---clipped---
> > >interpreted, said someone). I don't like the approach of imposing a
> > >specific structure on my data to accommodate other peoples needs more
> > >than my needs. So the question is: Do I have to?
> >
> > No.
>
>[clipped from lower down the message]
> > TMG does provide certain capabilities (e.g., Witnesses) that neither
> > GEDCOM nor other programs have. On the other hand, if the user
> > intends to transfer data (including Witnesses) to other programs, then
> > the user must realize that some TMG capabilities should not be used
> > until GEDCOM (or its equivalent) and the other program support that or
> > similar capabilities. Thus Witnesses would not be entered in the TMG
> > Witness area, but in the Memo field.
> >
> > On the other hand, if one wishes to use the full capabilities of TMG,
> > they may do so realizing that some data will not transfer via GEDCOM.
> > Thus they should determine some other means to either transfer the
> > data. It has been suggested that one may use GEDCOM and supplement it
> > with a narrative report which will show all the data.
>
>Now, this "No." _cannot_ be unqualified according to yourself. If I
>want to communicate my data by other means than paper (or word
>documents etc.), the answer is "Yes."

True, but no one is making you change the structure of your data. That is
your decision. If you don't want to make the change then the data as you
have it structured will transfer according to the rules of GEDCOM. Since
GEDCOM rules cannot be changed by Bob Velke, we have to either not use
GEDCOM or use it only for what it is designed.

This whole thread has been about how TMG exports certain data (mostly
speaking of not exporting Witnesses) via GEDCOM. The discussion noted that
there are a number of ways in which the data may be entered into TMG such
that Witnesses will (by entry into a Tag Memo field) or will not (by entry
in the Witnesses section) export via GEDCOM. In other words, you can have
it one way or the other.

However, you can have it both ways. This requires redundant entry of
data. You would enter Witnesses in the normal TMG Witnesses section of a
tag. Then you would enter the data in a different tag (could be a Custom
tag) and mark the Tag Sentence of that tag such that it will never print
and/or de-select that tag in the Report Definition. Then when you
generated a GEDCOM, you would specifically select that tag for export.


----------
Lee Hoffman/KY
E-mail:
TMG Tips: <http://www.tmgtips.com>;
My website: <http://www.tmgtips.com/lhoffman>;
--------------
A user of the best genealogy program, The Master Genealogist (TMG)

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