TMG-L Archives

Archiver > TMG > 2002-09 > 1030943118


From: Diana Powell <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Research & Output Solutions
Date: Sun, 01 Sep 2002 22:07:46 -0700
References: <5.1.0.14.2.20020830194543.041f8e98@pop3.norton.antivirus> <5.1.0.14.0.20020830172308.00a0ce30@pop.sprynet.com> <5.1.0.14.2.20020830095740.027fdf90@pop3.norton.antivirus> <5.1.0.14.0.20020830004411.00a09d90@pop.sprynet.com> <KBEEJNHPFAMCGLNKDFEFMEFAENAA.rdamon@beltronicsinc.com> <5.1.0.14.0.20020829211843.00a17b50@pop.sprynet.com> <5.1.0.14.2.20020830231229.02806a30@pop3.norton.antivirus> <005901c250fc$ed75dba0$153ad843@oemcomputer> <5.1.0.14.0.20020901054133.00a0c240@pop.sprynet.com>


"Darrell A. Martin" wrote:

> You have implemented a "system" that, from what I can see, makes some
> sense. However, it also appears to me to be a LOT of work.

Part of that perception lies in the fact that it takes me 10 times
longer to explain HOW I do something than it does to actually do it. In
reality, it takes only a few seconds to add an additional tag or two.
You would already have the citation for the conflicting data attached to
one tag so whether you want to transfer it to a Birth tag for printing
or a Birth-Alt tag for research, all you do is F3 it into the new tag.
And I am really only making a detailed explanatory entry in one memo
field, (on the tag that prints) which is what you are doing too. If I
decide to add something to the memo in my nonprinting tags it is short
and sweet.

So, the bottom line I think for the user is whether they benefit from
being able to visualize (for research purposes) the fact that there are
conflicting dates by quickly seeing them lined up in tag date fields,
rather than having to read into the memo field. From my perspective
"seeing" all the dates makes it easier to note whether information I
discover later eliminates or confirms any of the dates.

There was quite a bit of discussion earlier this week about the fact
that some people use TMG primarily as a research tool and others are
more concerned about output (I think you put yourself in that camp for
the moment). By setting it up the way I do I feel that I can have my
cake and eat it too.

> I have found it simpler to make sure that *every* tag type default sentence
> has [M] (or an otherwise unused subfield of [M]) in it.

I toyed with this idea as well, but since I really like to personalize
my sentences (yes, more time) I add the [M] as I edit each tag. That
allows me to vary its placement and incorporate split memo fields, which
avoids the canned sentence problem. I have to admit though I haven't
found a lot of creative things I can do with birth sentences so that
might not be such a bad idea.

> However, we all know TMG has 9 different ways of doing everything, and some
> people are using #17 to good effect [grin].

I am probably working on #18 :).

Diana

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