Dear Barrett group-- Since I only receive the digest, I know I'm probably way behind. However, I'm going to put in my two cents on this question. One problem, as I see it, is that whoever works on the web site needs to know how to write html. Janet graciously gave me my own section on Barrett Branches for my Civil War pages, and then spent her own time getting me started. She created backgrounds for me, the table of men that appears on my history page, and sample pages. She also spent lots of time coaching me. There were times I asked her the same question 5 times in a row, and she patiently answered me with the same answer 5 times in a row; and finally things started migrating through my thick skull to my brain. I'm an Old Gal, and it took a while for me to learn even the basics. Now I am pretty much on my own and don't have to ask Janet for help, thank goodness, as she has plenty to do without worrying about me. Working on the website requires having access to the directory (with a password), then having access to everything that Janet and I have loaded into the Barrett Branches directory. Just thinking through the process, I would say that it could possibly create a nightmare to have too many people working in the directory. However, since Janet did suggest it, she probably has some ideas about how to make it work. From my experience, I can tell you that working in the directory takes up many hours each day of my life. Whoever would offer to work with his or her own line needs to know what he or she is getting into before volunteering. I can't imagine how much time Janet has spent over the last few years, but I'm guessing in the thousands of hours. It might be possible to start with just one of the lines from Reuben and see how that works. Jim Barrett (John) might be a good place to start, since he already knows something about writing html. But looking at this from a different approach, I see no reason that any of us couldn't or shouldn't start our own family website. The pages are Freepages are free, (because there is advertising on them) but there are many other ways to obtain space. It certainly wouldn't hurt to have two websites with information on a particular family. In fact, Dina has had a Barrett website for many years, and Janet has a link to it from Barrett Branches. The more resources "out there" the better off we all are. I might also say this: in my attempt to write biographies of 135 individual men who lived and served during the Civil War, I am more than thrilled and extremely grateful when I find that their family information is on the web. It is a real service to historians and other researchers. So, I would say to any of you who wants to tackle the chore: have at it! We just need to remember a few things. The NAMES, DATES, and PLACES of our ancestors are not copyrighted. But what IS copyrighted is the particular format or presentation of those names, dates, and places. The wording of the stories or biographies is also copyrighted. If you decide to create your own web site, you should always give the source of your information (if it came from Barrett Branches, you so state); but your layout, graphics, backgrounds, etc., should be original. Eventually, Janet will be back at her computer, I'm sure. Meanwhile, it might be time for some of us to jump in feet first and get them wet! Mom Hett (Karen) On Tuesday, January 27, 2004, at 12:00 PM, BARRETT-REUBEN-SC-D-request@rootsweb.com wrote: > > Dear Janet, > > A while back you asked if there were people who wanted to help with > there direct lines because you have too much to handle as one person.. > I know you have had many things on your plate that have boycotted you > from being able to work on the site . As I feel your children and > health should always come first and that is why I am asking if I can > help. Another reason I am asking is because I have encouraged many > to join the list lately that may be related to some of the lines that > have nothing on them and they have replied to me that the web site > looks as if it has been abandoned. They have asked why should they > send you information that you do not have the time to fool with. One > thing they have commented on is the banner says reunion for spring of > 2003. As we all know all the circumstances that you have been through > we know why it hasn't been worked on for a while. Many are suggesting > starting up a different web site and having all the information sent > again. I replied that! > I do not feel this is the answer. Of course they can do what ever > they want to but I feel you have put too many devoted hours in to this > as a family project.It is just a suggestion to have, as you had asked, > one person from each line be responsible for that line. > If you think I have over stepped and this has made you angry by > suggesting this ,I apologize. I would hope as I think all of us do > that we could help you get it up to date and where it needs to be > until you are able to. Maybe I am not the one to suggest this but I do > want you to know we are family and I will help if you need me to. > > Take Care > Deb

TIME OUT!!! Jim Barrett does not know HTML! He is a lazy, novice, user of Microsoft FrontPage, which he doesn't thing much of. Jim Barrett Bedford, TX parino@flash.net Barrett Surname DNA Project Powell Surname DNA Project -----Original Message----- From: Karen Hett [mailto:kmchett@thegateway.net] Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 3:49 PM To: BARRETT-REUBEN-SC-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [Barrett-Reuben-SC] Barrett web pages It might be possible to start with just one of the lines from Reuben and see how that works. Jim Barrett (John) might be a good place to start, since he already knows something about writing html.

Karen has a good point--maybe it would be a good idea for the ones who DO KNOW how to write html and/or other qualifications to identify themselves to Janet and Karen, and they could then decide how to assign tasks in a way that would be helpful to Janet without compromising the quality of her website. Marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karen Hett" <kmchett@thegateway.net> To: <BARRETT-REUBEN-SC-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 3:48 PM Subject: [Barrett-Reuben-SC] Barrett web pages > Dear Barrett group-- > > Since I only receive the digest, I know I'm probably way behind. > However, I'm going to put in my two cents on this question. > > One problem, as I see it, is that whoever works on the web site needs > to know how to write html.... > > Eventually, Janet will be back at her computer, I'm sure. Meanwhile, > it might be time for some of us to jump in feet first and get them wet! > > Mom Hett (Karen) > > > On Tuesday, January 27, 2004, at 12:00 PM, > BARRETT-REUBEN-SC-D-request@rootsweb.com wrote: > > > > > Dear Janet, > > > > A while back you asked if there were people who wanted to help with > > there direct lines because you have too much to handle as one person.. > > I know you have had many things on your plate that have boycotted you > > from being able to work on the site . As I feel your children and > > health should always come first and that is why I am asking if I can > > help. Another reason I am asking is because I have encouraged many > > to join the list lately that may be related to some of the lines that > > have nothing on them and they have replied to me that the web site > > looks as if it has been abandoned. They have asked why should they > > send you information that you do not have the time to fool with. One > > thing they have commented on is the banner says reunion for spring of > > 2003. As we all know all the circumstances that you have been through > > we know why it hasn't been worked on for a while. Many are suggesting > > starting up a different web site and having all the information sent > > again. I replied that! > > I do not feel this is the answer. Of course they can do what ever > > they want to but I feel you have put too many devoted hours in to this > > as a family project.It is just a suggestion to have, as you had asked, > > one person from each line be responsible for that line. > > If you think I have over stepped and this has made you angry by > > suggesting this ,I apologize. I would hope as I think all of us do > > that we could help you get it up to date and where it needs to be > > until you are able to. Maybe I am not the one to suggest this but I do > > want you to know we are family and I will help if you need me to. > > > > Take Care > > Deb > > > ==== BARRETT-REUBEN-SC Mailing List ==== > Please tell your Barrett Relatives online about our list....we would all love to meet more cousins!!! > > ============================== > Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration > Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237 >