On the Road Again
It's travel time again. I am headed to the Phoenix, Arizona, suburbs to visit a few newsletter readers in their homes or offices. I'll be traveling with a group of software developers from Footnote.com as they perform “usability testing” of some new software they are developing. Thanks to this newsletter's readers, the next release from Footnote.com will already be well tested before it is released.
You can read more about the planned in-home and in-office visits at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2008/02/attention-mesa.html. As I wrote in that article:
These in-home visits are a fascinating experience. It may sound a bit scary to have seven people show up at your front door and then have them all watch as you use a computer. However, experience has shown that the results are worth it. The software developers gain valuable feedback that would be difficult to obtain elsewhere. Those we visited on previous trips all seemed to enjoy the experience. Each visit will last about one hour.
I hope to travel light this time. I'll carry a tiny, two-pound laptop computer and a wireless EV-DO modem that weighs a few ounces. In theory, I should be able to post new articles during the week on a regular basis. However, the computer gods do not always cooperate. There is always a possibility of equipment failure or other unforeseen difficulties. Please do not be surprised if I do not post articles for a few days.
Besides, I may be busy visiting all the Mexican restaurants in the Phoenix area. I am a fan of Mexican food, and Phoenix is a great place to indulge!
Welcome to Arizona, Dick. The weather is beautiful so bring shorts. Tuesday night is the Family History Society of AZ meeting for Paradise Valley, so stop by if you'd like. I believe our talk this month is on timelines.
Posted by: Lynn | March 17, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Dick your travels sound wonderful. Do you ever get to Southeast Idaho. I would love to take part in this if you ever get here. I am a missionary in the LDS Regional FAmily History Center in Idaho Falls.
Judie Dunkle
Posted by: Judie Dunkle | March 17, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Where do you have your Family History Society in Paradise Valley? Is it open to the public, or do you have to be a member? Thanks!
Posted by: Shirley | March 18, 2008 at 01:03 AM
The PV chapter meeting had to move and our temporary location is actually in Scottsdale. FHSA.org has all the location info. We have 7 chapters that all have a speaker each month. Members can go to any or all chapter meetings. You can join the society or go to any meeting as a guest. Membership is only $25 a year to pay the cost for the speakers. Everyone is welcome!
Posted by: Lynn | March 18, 2008 at 11:39 AM
We had seven visitors from the Footnote "tribe" come to our home in Mesa, AZ yesterday. It was a very interesting, pleasant experience. I would strongly encourage anyone who has such an opportunity in the future to take advantage of it.
Posted by: Elaine McIver | March 20, 2008 at 03:55 PM
It was great to see you, Elaine. All of us do appreciate your letting seven people into your home to look ovr your shoulder as you used the site. Your indugence helps a lot.
I suspect the lawn party was a success. It sure was going great guns when we left! Thanks for inviting us in.
- Dick Eastman
Posted by: Dick Eastman | March 20, 2008 at 07:39 PM