Knowing that you are wokring on different ideas regarding extended colaboration for families using MyHeritage.com I would like to share my ideas and thoughts regarding the ways I would like to see this.
First of all me being webmaster of the familiy tree site I would like to have the "final word" on changes to the tree but still encourage all to help out. So instead of giving all invitees the possibility to edit (well not a FTB tree but I see that coming also!) I would like to see a 'workflow' where they can edit and I can then aprove (or discard) the changes before they are finally added (or changed) in the family tree.
Second I would like to be able to 'outsource' some part of the tree that I'm building to the active parts of the family members helping out. So some kind of setting to give a specific person part of the tree. That could be in different levels. For example (1) Yourself, (2) Yourself, partner and all below (kids), (3) Specific person in the tree and their partner and all below. There might be other scenarios as well.
Third is when we see family trees that are close togeter it would be cool to be able to link them together. Not all of the tree but some specific parts could be linked together (agreed by both parts ofcourse) and if someone then clicks in my tree in some part where it is linked to a nother tree it would show identically as if it was part of my tree (maybe with a lille indication to show that is it part of another tree)
Looking forward to seeing the new functions develped!
Regards,
Lars
I'm also very interested in Lars' third suggestion:
Third is when we see family trees that are close togeter it would be cool to be able to link them together. Not all of the tree but some specific parts could be linked together (agreed by both parts ofcourse) and if someone then clicks in my tree in some part where it is linked to a nother tree it would show identically as if it was part of my tree (maybe with a lille indication to show that is it part of another tree)
Thanks for your positive comments about my ideas! I'm really happy with the discovery of MyHeritage.com since I see it as a good balance of genealogy, family functions, fotos and new technologies (face recognition, GEO and person tagging etc.)
I would be happy to elaborate on my ideas working with the functions and giving first hand feedback, beta test or the like if you are interested.
I would say a easy way to update the following details by individuals as they browse the tree online would make it easy for family members to come forward and contribute.
e.g. Dates like Birth, Anniversary, events; email id; Phone #'s etc.
In the next year we plan to release a new version of Family Tree Builder that will allow you to synch between your online and Family Tree Builder trees (which is not the case currently, FTB trees can't be edited online at this point).
This two-way editing will mean you and your family members can add information to the tree from your family site and then you will be able to download and approve those changes to your FTB tree on your computer.
This should make it a lot easier for your site members to add their information to the tree.
I'd be happy to suggest your idea to the developers. Can you tell me what your idea would look like? (A popup box on the home page telling members to enter their info, a separate page, a tooltip on the tree)
This two-way editing will mean you and your family members can add information to the tree from your family site and then you will be able to download and approve those changes to your FTB tree on your computer.
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This sounds excellent and I'm really looking forward to this feature.
At first: Thank you very much for this great software and web services!
What's the state of development?
I thought quite a time between the two options "online tree" vs. "FTB tree" = "simple colaboration and possibility to add einformation from everywhere" vs. "Total control of changes but a very hard way for other people to help me gather information about relatives".
I decided to do everything online but I recognized a big problem: Every Member is able to change and even delete every person in my tree! What's about family fights? What's about wrong infoemation? As it is said in the first post I, as the admin of the family site, WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE LAST WORD on changes.
I think the two-way-synchronization would solve it also. But as far as I know it is not implemented yet, right? Or is there any other way to control changes (on the online tree) - setting permissiions to members, forbid deletion or "having the last word" in any way?
We are working on the two way synchronization of Family Tree Builder and the family site. This project may not be out in a while.
I understand your request and concern that family members be limited in their editing privileges, or that you get the chance to okay their changes.
I will pass on your suggestion to the appropriate department for future consideration.
In the meantime you can prevent all of your members from editing your tree. To do so go to Settings > Privacy, and under the members tab, you will see the option to make your tree read-only to your site members.
I have been waiting for well over a year to see this two-way synchronization feature come to life. Myself and 2 other family members want to build and work on our tree together, but the online option is simply not very workable for us due to a few different concerns. It's been nearly a year since your last post on the topic of "coming out in a next version" and v5 is out. But I don't see that feature in v5. Am I missing it? Is it already implemented? This is really stalling us from making a decision to upgrade and get rolling seriously.
My preference would be to edit the details on the left panel where facts are displayed for individuals when clicked on Family Tree.
I look forward to this feature as itwill enable everyone to participate at their will.
BTW, I am encouraged to see your quick response and off course such a easy to manage application. I have tried quite a few of them before settling with this tool.
