IMPORTANT message from GenConnect for all to read! -----Original Message----- From: Pam Carey [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 1998 1:16 AM To: [email protected] Subject: **IMPORTANT NOTICE** GenConnect Upgrade To all GenConnect Board Administrators: We're preparing for the latest upgrade to the GenConnect System. There's a few things you need to know about this upgrade ..... The entire GenConnect system will be upgraded starting at midnight on Saturday September 5, 1998. This will require that we shut the system down. The reason is twofold ..... it's not just a patch .... it's a re-write of the program that runs the system. Also, the Global Search engine has been revamped and mega-enhanced, which will require a total rebuild. No new postings can be allowed during this rebuilding period. Downtime is estimated to be 8 hours max (yep .... it's a huge system now!). Anyone attempting to use the system during this downtime will be given notice that it's being upgraded .... no-one will be left in the dark. However, you could help us make this a smoother transition if you would spread the word on any and all of the major mailing lists that you may be subbed to (ROOTS-l, xxROOTS-L, your county lists, surname lists, etc.). Will you help us by doing this? Below are some of the new features that the latest version (1.10) will contain. Please feel free to include those items listed as 'Visitor Toys' in any announcement you make. Those items listed as 'Admin Toys' will be available only to you - the admins. Please do not annouce these items. They're included here for your information only. This is the most exciting version of genbbs yet, and we're thrilled to be bringing it into production. I encourage anyone with questions about the conversion to sub to the GenConnect-L list, if you're not already. Simply send an email to [email protected] with the word subscribe in both the subject and as the only word in the body. Turn off all signature files, please. Once again ..... the upgrade will begin at midnight on Saturday, Sep 5, and should take no more than 8 hours. Please help us announce this. There will be no official notice once the conversion is completed. The new version will be in effect for all to see, and will serve as notice. Thank you for selecting GenConnect as your Query Management System. Our goal is to keep improving it to meet the needs of our visitors and admins. This is just the latest improvement, and we've all anxiously awaited this moment. Happy Hunting!!!! The GenConnect Team ..... Randy, Pam and Nancy List of new GenConnect Features: Visitor Toys: ------------------- Separate entry fields for subject and surnames ..... allows more descriptive subjects (non-surname words won't matter) Main page of each board displays the list of surnames for each query, in addition to the subject .... allows for more surnames to be entered 'Print' option now expanded to include the entire thread (user's option) Surname page will be auto-generated, and auto-updated weekly (more frequently with admin intervention), and will now be alphabetized and hotlinked to the query in which it appears. Cookie support expanded to include "date ranges". Faster, sleeker search engine. Multiple-word surnames supported - including the capability of searching for them. New search options added to the Global Search ..... soundex (enhanced over previous version), partial word match, whole word match, wildcard searching.