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GenSmarts Q/A Part 3

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Q) Upgrade version
A) http://www.GenSmarts.com/versionHistory.asp

Q) are the world family tree volumes searched?
A) No

Q) What does query mean?
A) Allows you to make some data and have GenSmarts analyze it.

Q) how do I open my gensmarts file
A) GenSmarts reads and analyzes your genealogy file, it doesn't create a file of it's own.

Q) convert to research task
A) A nice feature starting to appear in your genealogy record keeping software that allows a GenSmarts suggestion to be added to the To Do list kept by your record keeping software (eg. TMG, RootsMagic, Family Tree Maker, Legacy, PAF, etc.)

Q) How do I use the research locations tab ,info?
A) With the exception of the research location name/address, the info here is redundant to the TO DO list.

Q) How do I start?
A) Top line... HELP...WELCOME WIZARD... read that, then press the CONFUSED button and check out the video tutorials.

Q) Print the data cleanup list
A) Not yet, but coming soon...

Q) serial number input
A) We call it a name/key, and if you can't figure out how to enter it, you're not running the paid version. See http://www.GenSmarts.com/installFAQ.asp

Q) I subscribe to Genealogy.com, why am I taken to a 404 Page Not Available page?
A) Perhaps your internet connection is down, or Genealogy.com is down? Could also be that the suggestion you're trying to go to isn't on Genealogy.com, but rather some other website that's not available.

Q) ADO
A) Microsoft's file accessing architecture that GenSmarts uses to read certain types of genealogy files. Used by many MS and non-MS applications.

Q) My son John Doe was born in Springfield,Va. on 1/2/1957, you have it wrong please correct.
A) GenSmarts doesn't contain any data - it all comes from you file. Obviously, GenSmarts doesn't have any control over the data you find on a site it links you to....

Q) Does gensmarts give film numbers and book titles?
A) Yes, at the bottom of the explanation in the paid version.

Q) i want to know exactly who would be considered direct ancestors of mine like brothers sisters aunts uncles etc etc?
A) Your parents, your parents parents, etc.

Q) Take me to my Ancestry.com subscription site
A) Select the filter AVAILABLE AT RESEARCH LOCATIONS BELOW... the TO DO list will go blank... then select Ancestry.com from the drop down list underneath this option... then the TO DO list will display all the suggestions GenSmarts has for Ancestry.com. Select one and press the AVAILABLE ONLINE button. If they show up with a RED mouse icon, then you don't have your TOOLS...SETTINGS... Subscriptions tab set up to indicate you subscribe to Ancestry.com

Q) I am subscribed to Ancestry.com. Why does GenSmarts insist that I have not subscribed to Ancestry.com?
A) Read the message you're getting again... it's not saying you're not subscribed to Ancestry.com, it's saying your not subscribed to the site you're trying to go to, which is probably NOT Ancestry.com, but some other paid site. Check the bottom of the EXPLANATION for the suggestion and see what site GenSmarts is taking you to. If it is, in fact Ancestry.com, then you don't have your subscription set up in TOOLS...SETTINGS...Subscriptions tab correctly.

Q) Why is this considered a trial copy?
A) Feature limitations and fewer suggestions.

Q) Type your custom question here...How do I check for program updates?
A) GenSmarts does it for you normally, but you can also check manually by visiting http://www.GenSmarts.com/versionHistory.asp

Q) How do I use the available functions on the research button?
A) Click the little drop down arrow next to the AVAILABLE ONLINE button, and select the site you want, along with how you want to interface.

Q) How do I add a research location?
A) Not yet, but coming soon...

Q) I tagged a to do as found, now it doesn't show up in the to do...
A) Check your filters... click SHOW ALL if it's not selected.

Q) What is Fills Missing Data?
A) A filter that, when checked, will only display suggestions that provide data you don't currently have in your file.

Q) In name date cleanup can i automatically fix them?
A) No, you should really review each one and confirm the "fix". Use your genealogy record keeping software to change your data (e.g. PAF, FTM, etc.).

Q) How do I mark and make the to do list?
A) GenSmarts populates the to do list for you, with research suggestions. You mark it with the FOUND, NOT FOUND, buttons however you'd like.

Q) What are save issues under data cleanup?
A) The research suggestions are re-calculated every time you run GenSmarts. Any tags or marks from prior sessions are reapplied... if for some reason a suggestion that was previously marked can't be located, it gets logged in the "SAVE ISSUES".

Q) How do you use Gensmart within TMG?
A) In Version 6 (or higher) of TMG, CTRL-E while you're looking at an individual will give you the GenSmarts suggestion for that person. It's also in the TMG TOOLS menu. This only works with the full edition of GenSmarts (e.g. it doesn't work with GenSmarts for MyFamily.com).

Q) How does it know which censuses i've researched?
A) By the Census tag/event/fact you record in your file, using your record keeping software (e.g. PAF, FTM, etc.).

Q) Edit my file while running gensmarts
A) Open GenSmarts first, then your record keeping software.

Q) Do I have to join all the othergroups (ancestry, family etc?.
A) No

Q) How do I update place name information
A) Change your data using your record keeping software (PAF, FTM, etc.)

Q) I am so confused with all this stuff I don't know what it is I am supposed to do with the information provided.
A) Read the EXPLANATION you find on the TO DO list tab, slowly - word for word. This is a research suggestion. Press the AVAILABLE ONLINE button (just up from the suggestion) and GenSmarts will take you to the site to perform the lookup. Watch the DEMO at http://www.GenSmarts.com/demo use that "CONFUSED" button in the upper right hand portion of the GenSmarts screen.

Q) Enter registration
A) If you're installing from CD, then you don't need to enter it - it's taken care of for you. If you installed from a download, you can't run the registered version without being prompted to enter your name/key. If you're running GenSmarts and aren't being prompted for a name/key, you're either running the trial version or you've already entered your name/key. The name/key will survive an uninstall of GenSmarts, but not an uninstall of Windows are a new hard drive/copmuter.

Q) Export place names
A) A handy way to get a list of your place names and how GenSmarts understands them.

Q) why can't I print my to do list?
A) You're running the trial version (which doesn't support printing) , or you need to re-install your Windows printer driver to correct a Windows printing problem. GenSmarts uses more capabilities of the Windows print drivers, so even if other applications print with a faulty or corrupted Windows printer driver... GenSmarts won't until you fix it.

Q) How do I update my data?
A) Use your record keeping software (PAF, FTM, etc.)


Q) How do I analyze files from a different software program?..
A) FILE...OPEN... from within GenSmarts. The full edition (available from GenSmarts.com) support most popular file types, and you can export to Gedcom for anything else. GenSmarts For MyFamily.com only support Family Tree Maker.

Q) When I click on the found box, my task list disappears.
A) The "found box" is a filter... by clicking it you're asking GenSmarts to display all suggestions you've marked as "FOUND". If you haven't marked anything... you'll get an empty list.

Q) How do I enter a brith place?
A) Use your record keeping software (PAF, FTM, etc.)

Q) How do I search for a middle name and surname?
A) Use SMARTLINK by clicking on the little down arrow next to the AVAILABLE ONLINE button, and then type whatever search criteria you want on the resulting search page.

Q) add websites
A) Now possible with the new TOOLS...CUSTOMIZE RECORDS feature that's in versions 1.0.7.30 and later at http://www.GenSmarts.com/versionHistory.asp


Q) What does the "Find Next Root" botton find for you
A) Finds the next line you've tagged.

Q) In my list of family names, some appear 2 or 3 times in different forms. i.e. E.J. Bomar, Elizabeth Bomar, and Lizzie Bomar. How do I combine them to make one person, or delete two of the three listings so she is only listed one time?
A) You apparently have the person multiple times in your data, so you'll have to use your record keeping software to clean it up (e.g. PAF, FTM, etc.)

Q) How do I enter the registration number into GenSmarts? The Enter Your Registration Key option is greyed out. This was a re-install from the CD after a system crash and re-build.
A) You installed the trial version which can't be "registered".

Q) How do I make sure I receive updates?
A) Send an email to subscribe@GenSmarts.com and that'll get you on our support list.

Q) I purchased GenSmarts previously, how can I download a registered version
A) http://www.GenSmarts.com/support.asp is your friend.

Q) How to connect my PAF 5 files with GenSmart?
A) Only the full edition of GenSmarts, available from GenSmarts.com, supports PAF 5. Simply use FILE...OPEN... to analyze the file.

Q) Alternative spelling
A) GenSmarts suggestions are taken from the actual names present on the 1850 and 1880 USA census. They're simply meant to give you some "food for thought". Ignore the ones you don't think are good ideas.

Q) Obsolete suggestion
A) A suggest that you previously marked (FOUND, NOT FOUND, PLAN TO SEARCH, etc.) that GenSmarts no longer believes is a good idea. GenSmarts suggestions come from facts in your data, and facts we put into GenSmarts. Since both sets of facts change over time... so will your suggestions. If you want to get rid of an obsolete suggestion, simply "CLEAR STATUS" the mark.

Q) I'm very confused. There were no instructions for gensmarts.
A) See that big button in the upper right hand corner marked confused? Press that. Press each of the buttons in turn and watch the Video FAQs. One of those buttons explains how you access the manual. See the word HELP in the top line? Press on that and select GenSmarts HELP. That's the same content as the manual.

Q) I have no volume. Is there a way to check if my cd is damaged?
A) Volume wouldn't have anything to do with your CD, or GenSmarts for that matter. Check your Windows sound settings.

Q) I require data from england not america
A) GenSmarts analyzes for quite a few English records, and you can now add more with TOOLS...CUSTOMIZE RECORDS (version 1.0.7.30 and beyond). If you're getting USA suggestions for people who weren't in the USA, then it's the place names in your data, and/or your GenSmarts default country setting that's incorrect.

Q) Still do not understand I get message that I need the trial to Ancestry .com when I already belong.
A) There is no message in GenSmarts that says you need to subscribe to Ancestry.com. Read the message/page you're getting, word for word. 90% of the time we get this question from users who are trying to access a suggestion on NEHGS.ORG or some other pay site.

Q) How long is the trial for?
A) Forever, until you purchase.

Q) I subscribed to the upgrade at $24.00 and have not been able to get to it. I only get the trail version.
A) Read your installation instructions and go to the page it tells you to if you have difficulties - http://www.GenSmarts.com/installFAQ.asp

Q) How do I start
A) Press the CONFUSED button in the upper right hand corner, see the question "where do I start".

Q) Can I export only the place names I want?
A) No, but you can open what you export in Excel and delete out anything you want.

Q) How do I record the fact that I persued the suggestion proposed by GenSmart and determined that the information found in the search does not correlate with the person in my data base?
A) NOT FOUND or IGNORE

Q) What is a "Root Ancester" ?
A) The most recent ancestor in a line you'd like to prioritize suggestions for.

Q) Can I install on more than one PC?
A) Yes, as long as you're the only person using GenSmarts on that machine. See your license in your GenSmarts program directory (typically C:\Program Files\GenSmarts )

Q) I subscribe to Geneology.com. Why can't I use it?
A) You can. Perhaps you haven't indicated to GenSmarts you subscribe via TOOLS...SETTINGS...Subscriptions tab?

Q) How do I print the Explanation part of the to do list for an individual?
A) The FULL report option in the TO DO list reports.

Q) What is the difference between smartlink & smatsearch on the research link?
A) SMARTSEARCH presses the "submit search" button for you, while SMARTLINK doesn't - it lets you tailor the search parameters.

Q) I am trying to print my people and to do list.I get an error: Error initiating printing(E component error) (A component named smart People already exists) What does all this mean?
A) You tried to print a second report before the first report had finished. We need to put some validation in to prevent this situation from occurring. For now... be patient.

Q) What version of tmg can I use?
A) 4, 5, or 6. 6 is best because you can get suggestions from within TMG using TMG's CTRL-E.

Q) Why are there so many "unknown"
A) Sounds like GenSmarts is having trouble interpretting your names... you'd have to look at how you have them specified in PAF, FTM, etc. to figure out what's unusual about them.

Q) How can I print Research Facilities available for research list?
A) FULL option of the TO DO list report.

Q) Newsletter?
A) Something we should put out more often... :-) Between us growing so fast and all the changes brought on in email distribution due to spammers... we could just never find the time to overhaul our newsletter mailer. As of March 2005, we've finally have an automated, industrial strength mechanism and look forward to putting out a newsletter in April, 2005.

Q) How do I get updates?
A) Send an email to subscribe@GenSmarts.com to make sure you're on our list to get notified. Check http://www.GenSmarts.com/versionHistory.asp as often as you like for updates. The software itself will inform you of major updates.

Q) What is kiosk mode?
A) A way for people who don't have a file to manually enter in information and get suggestions. Used mainly in libraries and family history libraries.

Q) How do you purge a file from the program open list?
A) Edit the GenSmarts.ini file in GenSmarts program directory (typically C:\Program Files\GenSmarts) and change the name to all blanks. Not sure why you would need to do this, however... it's not used in any way until you "choose" it.