TMG-L Archives

Archiver > TMG > 2002-08 > 1028383543


From: Greg Vaut <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Re: Questionable Source Cites; Internet
Date: Sat, 03 Aug 2002 10:05:43 -0400
References: <131.11b3eb7a.2a7d3761@aol.com>


Mea culpa!

I know that I have been guilty of posting incorrect information in my WorldConnect database,
though unknowingly at the time. (It's hard for any of you to believe, I'm sure, but I've
even later found typos in data I've entered.)

I try religiously to post corrections whenever I catch the error, find new information, or
some kind person will contact me to point them out. So I second the suggestion that
everyone send corrections whenever they spot errors anywhere.

Just be sure to provide your evidence and citations. It is a real pain in the @#! to get
these cryptic emails that just say, "X is his daddy, not Y", without any explanation or
support. And be polite.

I made the personal decision to share all my information, even though I don't always have a
very high level of confidence in it, because I feel that it is important to help others and
it is a good way to invite correction. I wouldn't knowingly share false information.
However, if I learn of controversy over a particular fact or connection, I try to post all
positions on the issue (with sources and available evidence).

I also made the decision to not allow people to download their own gedcoms from my online
database, in an effort to keep from encouraging the blind spread of errors. I am quite
happy to share my data, but this way, people have to contact me first and I have the
opportunity to tell them what I know about the quality of the information I'm sharing.

Now I'm really frustrated because since upgrading to TMG5, I have been able to produce a
gedcom file for some time (the only way to update my WorldConnect database). A known
problem that apparently has to do with TMG5's not being able to handle large memos in
Gedcoms (Beware everyone!). Yet I continue to correct errors in my data since I last posted
it. So now there must be some who are upset because they sent me new information, I
acknowledged it, but it doesn't appear on the web site.

Ya' can't win for losin'!

Frustrated,
Greg



wrote:

> In a message dated 8/3/02 8:32:19 AM Central Daylight Time,
> writes:
>
> >
> > I think we all have seen bad data on the Internet and in many other
> > types of published information. So it seems to me that it is our
> > responsibility to have our data as correct as we can make it. When we cite
> >
> > our source(s) we can show why we believe our information is true. TMG
> > gives
> > us the opportunity to do that.
> > Joanne Skelton (new to TMG)
> > Oregon
> >
>
> The worst thing is the lack of sources. Maybe an e-mail from every person
> viewing such information to the person posting the information explaining
> just how worthless their information is might start a trend to change
> things... or at least discourage them from posting further garbage.
>
> Also a campaign to the biggies asking them to refuse any unsourced
> information.
>
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