Two days ago, I published an article entitled It’s 2015! Do You Know Where Your Data Is? at http://goo.gl/tMsCs. In that article, I described my vision of genealogy software of the future. Namely, our databases will move "to the cloud." Less than 48 hours after I wrote that article, I received a feeling of deja vu when Lulu Software introduced a product that appears to be exactly what I predicted.
The following announcement was written by Lulu Software:
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Nov. 2, 2010) - According to keyword research, the terms "genealogy" and "family tree" yielded more than 96,000,000 Google searches, since March of 2009. In keeping with their promise to be a software industry leader, LULU SOFTWARE is tapping into the world's fastest growing online hobby; launching Gaia Family Tree across the global network.
Though new to the market, LULU SOFTWARE's diligence has ensured the reliability of Gaia Family Tree. The product has passed performance and quality assurance requirements to be considered a certified affiliate of FamilySearch. Affiliation to FamilySearch (the world's largest online database pertaining to family history research) qualifies LULU SOFTWARE's intent to provide the ultimate tool to search for and chart family history with.
Chief Executive Officer, Eric Gareau qualifies LULU SOFTWARE's ambition to tap into genealogy as: "A perfect example of the company's determination to offer software that makes life easier. We believe genealogy can be simplified. Offering search functionalities combined with tree building capabilities provides the users important added value. We are launching this unique solution free of charge; no tricks, no fine print, it's FREE!"
Gaia Family Tree was conceived with the intention of creating innovative, easy-to-use and fun genealogy software that is accessible to consumers who are looking to build their family tree. The goal is to simplify the process of managing a family tree by offering a complete tool; one that best utilizes established industry standards and formats. From starting your family tree to enriching it, the process has never been as fun and as easy as Gaia Family Tree makes it.
The product is free of charge, and currently available at www.gaiafamilytree.com.
About LULU SOFTWARE:
Founded in 2010, LULU SOFTWARE was established to be a pioneer in offering consumer-centric software.
There are three product-families presented by LULU SOFTWARE:
Since its inception, LULU SOFTWARE has hired more than 35 employees to fill various positions between their sales, marketing, design and web integration factions. The company also employs an offshore product development division, as well as a highly skilled and multilingual service team that's trained to handle all incoming email and phone inquiries. LULU SOFTWARE continues to seek qualified and experienced personnel to help achieve their objectives of becoming an industry leader.
- FIXIO™ : PC security and maintenance solutions.
- SODA PDF™ : Smart and simple PDF software.
- Gaia Family Tree™ : Easy-to-use Family Tree software.
Better Business Bureau of Quebec: http://www.bbb.org/quebec/business-reviews/internet-shopping/lulu-software-in-montreal-qc-90004329
Comments by Dick Eastman:
This software was created by Lulu Software at http://www.lulusoftware.com/ which is NOT the print-on-demand publishing company, Lulu.com.
To use this software today and access the New FamilySearch database, you must be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints. That will change in the future as the plans are to eventually open the database to everyone. However, while New FamilySearch remains in beta test, access is restricted to a smaller group so as to not overload the system. The new Gaia software requires access to the New FamilySearch database.
While not mentioned in the above announcement, Gaia requires Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7. It also requires at least 1280x1024 resolution for the computer's monitor. It will not operate on Macintosh, iPhone, or Android.
As described in my earlier article at http://goo.gl/tMsCs, I believe centralized databases are the wave of the future with individual programs installed on Windows, Macintosh, iPhone, Android phones, and other computer devices that will access a few huge databases in the sky. The online databases will be used primarily for file storage. Each program installed in a personal computer or handheld device will access the online databases but will then provide all the user-friendly features that its software developers envision. I see this as the best of both worlds: centralized databases that provide a huge amount of information plus a choice of programs installed in your computer that organizes that data, adds to the data, prints it, and also exports it in a manner created by various software developers.
Gaia allows you to search through existing family trees on New FamilySearch, find any people of interest, then download the information about those individuals to your local database. You may edit the information as you wish while you verify the information. If you wish, you may later upload your new information back to the New FamilySearch database although that is not required. All information stored on your local hard drive remains under your control at all times.
Gaia adds significant functionality that is not available when viewing New FamilySearch through a web browser, including additional printed reports and additional views of genealogy data. You can also import previously-created genealogy information in GEDCOM format into your local database without going through New FamilySearch.
Gaia has achieved FamilySearch certification for the following features:
- Access: Search and read new.FamilySearch.org family tree.
- Print: Print multiple reports and charts using online data from FamilySearch.
- Sync: Sync both ways and match/combine persons:
- - Ability to keep FamilySearch family tree current with Affiliate’s application for selected persons and information ("Sync-up")
- - Ability to keep Affiliate’s application current with FamilySearch family tree for selected persons and information ("Sync-down")
- Update: Publish to new.FamilySearch.org family tree. Also includes request to combine matched individuals.
You can learn more at http://www.gaiafamilytree.com/
