If you're planning to post something to the GenConnect Boards, DON'T, just yet! RootsWeb.com and Ancestry.com (who merged some time back) will be releasing a new integrated message board system that is a combination of GenConnect and FamilyHistory.com. Users will be able to access these new message boards on either RootsWeb.com or Ancestry.com. They say the new system is expected to be more stable and have more features. Improvements include the following: --- The new message boards will handle attachments to e-mail messages in the form of uploaded pictures (scanned documents, family photos, etc.) and GEDCOM files. --- Users will be able to view the e-mail address of message authors and be able to respond to them easily and privately, yet the boards will still prevent "crawling" by unscrupulous third parties attempting to gather e-mail addresses for spam mailings. --- Search functionality will be improved compared to either the RootsWeb or FamilyHistory systems. Search hits will be ranked by relevance and wildcard searches are available. --- The hardware infrastructure supporting the new message boards will be faster, handle larger traffic loads, and be more stable. The new system will also be less expensive over time and easier to maintain. The boards, however, will definitely be different. Working together, RootsWeb.com and Ancestry.com are attempting to preserve the important features and conveniences from FamilyHistory.com as well as added a few new bells and whistles. Their desire is that the new boards continue to serve your needs and function as important research tools. Their only request is that we be patient as they launch the new system.