Cleanup of into, getting_started, and main window

svn: r1336
This commit is contained in:
Alex Roitman 2003-03-11 03:42:16 +00:00
parent d4e5ff3c1d
commit 1dd0047ae5

View File

@ -3,9 +3,9 @@
< <What is GRAMPS? < <What is GRAMPS?
GRAMPS is an acronym for the Genealogical Research and Analysis Management GRAMPS is an acronym for the Genealogical Research and Analysis Management
Programming System. To put it shortly, it allows you to store, edit, and research Programming System. To put it shortly, it allows you to store, edit, and
genealogical data using your computer. Its functionality is somewhat common to research genealogical data using your computer. Its functionality is somewhat
other genealogical programs. However, it has some unique features. common to other genealogical programs. However, it has some unique features.
< <Why GRAMPS? < <Why GRAMPS?
@ -16,16 +16,16 @@ the arranging and storing of information consistent with the GEDCOM standards.
They usually provide means for displaying descendant or ancestral relationships They usually provide means for displaying descendant or ancestral relationships
by means of graphical displays, charts, or reports. These may be augmented by means of graphical displays, charts, or reports. These may be augmented
with pictures or other media to enhance the data. Most provide for inputting with pictures or other media to enhance the data. Most provide for inputting
data on unconnected individuals/families that may or may not have a relationship data on unconnected individuals/families that may or may not have a
to the primary surname being researched. Various other enhancements may relationship to the primary surname being researched. Various other
also be provided in the genealogical program that allows for different degrees of enhancements may also be provided in the genealogical program that allows for
importing and exporting data from other programs and printing the data contained different degrees of importing and exporting data from other programs and
in the various reports. printing the data contained in the various reports.
GRAMPS, on the other hand, attempts to provide all of the common capabilities GRAMPS, on the other hand, attempts to provide all of the common capabilities
of these programs, but, more importantly, to provide an additional capability of of these programs, but, more importantly, to provide an additional capability
integration not common to these programs. This is the ability to input any bits of integration not common to these programs. This is the ability to input any
and pieces of information directly into GRAMPS and rearrange/manipulate bits and pieces of information directly into GRAMPS and rearrange/manipulate
any/all data events in the entire data base (in any order or sequence) to any/all data events in the entire data base (in any order or sequence) to
assist the user in doing research, analysis and correlation with the potential assist the user in doing research, analysis and correlation with the potential
of filling relationship gaps. In short, a tool that provides a way to input of filling relationship gaps. In short, a tool that provides a way to input
@ -43,11 +43,13 @@ You can start GRAMPS either from Application menu or from Command line.
Choose Other->GRAMPS. Choose Other->GRAMPS.
< < <Command line < < <Command line
Type gramps and press Return. Type gramps and press Return. If you would gramps to open a specific database
or import a specific file on startup, you can give the filename as a command
line argument: gramps <filename.ged> [Return]
< Running GRAMPS for the first time. < <Running GRAMPS for the first time.
[ RE-WORK THIS WITH SCREENSHOTS BEGIN ] [ FIXME: RE-WORK THIS WITH SCREENSHOTS BEGIN ]
The first time you run the program, GRAMPS will display its Getting Started The first time you run the program, GRAMPS will display its Getting Started
screens. GRAMPS will guide you through a few pages that prompt you for screens. GRAMPS will guide you through a few pages that prompt you for
some setup information. The information it requests includes information about some setup information. The information it requests includes information about
@ -57,12 +59,45 @@ Although GRAMPS requests information about your, this information is used
only so that it can create valid GEDCOM output files. A valid GEDCOM file only so that it can create valid GEDCOM output files. A valid GEDCOM file
requires information about the file's creator. If you chose, you may leave the requires information about the file's creator. If you chose, you may leave the
information empty. information empty.
[ RE-WORK THIS WITH SCREENSHOTS END ] [ FIXME: RE-WORK THIS WITH SCREENSHOTS END ]
< < <Choosing a database on startup
If the GRAMPS is started without any database to open, the following window
will appear prompting you to choose what database to open. (Figure 0:
open existing or created new). If you would like to open an existing
database, check the top radio button and click OK. You will then be asked
to specify the name of your existing database. If you would like to start
creating your brand new database from scratch right away, choose new XML
database.
< < <Optional ZODB support
If either StandaloneZODB or Zope is installed on your system, GRAMPS will give
you the third option of creating a new ZODB database. You can choose to start
your new database in either XML or ZODB format. Both formats have their strong
and weak points.
XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language, and is a human readable sctructured
description of data. It could be easily parsed by other programs should the
need occur. It stores only the data itself. Its weak point is the relatively
low speed of processing large data files.
ZODB stands for Zope Object Database and provides the full-fledged database
support. ZODB files are not human readable. They contain a certain overhead
to assist working with large data structures. However, ZODB provides a
significant speed-up when the database size is large (over few thousand
people).
Its is hard to tell which format is better, since this is a typical tradeoff
situation. If you are starting your research then you are likely to be fine
with the regular XML database. If you have tons of data to import describing
thousands upon thousands of people, then you are probably better of with ZODB.
<Main Window <Main Window
When you open a database (either existing or brand new), the following window is displayed: When you open a database (either existing or brand new), the following window
Figure 1, gramps - GRAMPS (example file loaded). is displayed: Figure 1, gramps - GRAMPS (example file loaded).
< <Menubar < <Menubar
@ -75,152 +110,183 @@ The appearance of the Toolbar can be adjusted in the Preferences dialog.
< <Progress bar < <Progress bar
The Progress bar is located in the lower left corner of the GRAMPS window. It shows the The Progress bar is located in the lower left corner of the GRAMPS window.
progress of time consuming operations, such as opening and saving large data bases, It shows the progress of time consuming operations, such as opening and saving
importing and exporting to other formats, generating web-sites, etc. large data bases, importing and exporting to other formats, generating
web-sites, etc.
< <Status line < <Status line
The Status line is located to the right of the Progress bar, on the very bottom of the GRAMPS The Status line is located to the right of the Progress bar, on the very bottom
window. The behavior of the Status line can be adjusted in the Preferences dialog. of the GRAMPS window. The behavior of the Status line can be adjusted in the
Preferences dialog.
< <Display area < <Display area
The Display area of the GRAMPS window shows certain aspects of genealogical information, The largest are in the center of the GRAMPS window is the Display area.
depending on the currently selected View. There are six Views available in GRAMPS: It shows certain aspects of genealogical information, depending on the
currently selected View. There are six Views available in GRAMPS:
People, Family, Pedigree, Sources, Places, and Media. People, Family, Pedigree, Sources, Places, and Media.
< <Views < <Views
Views are the various ways to display various aspects of genealogical information, as described below. Views are the various ways to display different aspects of genealogical
Since the relevant information is very broad and non-uniform in both context and modality, it is best information, as described below. Since the relevant information is very broad
to split it's display into smaller categories, uniform in context and modality. Each View represents and non-uniform in both context and modality, it is best to split it's display
such a split and displays a certain portion of overall available information. Before the detailed into smaller categories, uniform in context and modality. Each View represents
description of available Views, let us guide you through the ways of switching between the Views. such a split and displays a certain portion of overall available information.
Before the detailed description of available Views, let us guide you through
the ways of switching between the Views.
< < <Viewing Modes < < <Viewing Modes
< < < <Sidebar vs Tabbed Interface < < < <Sidebar vs Tabbed Interface
Depending on the state of the View->Sidebar menu item, the Views could be changed either in Depending on the state of the View->Sidebar menu item, the Views could be
the Sidebar (Figure 2. Sidebar, no filter) or in the Notebook Tabs in the top part of the window changed either in the Sidebar (Figure 2. Sidebar, no filter) or in the Notebook
(Figure 3. no sidebar, no filter). To switch the View, click on the desired Sidebar icon or the Notebook Tabs in the top part of the window (Figure 3. no sidebar, no filter).
tab. To Switch between Sidebar and Notebook interfaces, choose View->Sidebar from the To switch the View, click on the desired Sidebar icon or the Notebook tab.
GRAMPS menu. To Switch between Sidebar and Notebook interfaces, choose View->Sidebar from
the GRAMPS menu.
< < <People View < < <People View
When GRAMPS opens a database, the View is set to the People View. When GRAMPS opens a database, the View is set to the People View.
People View lists individuals whose data is stored in the database. People View displays people's People View lists individuals whose data is stored in the database.
Names, GRAMPS ID numbers, Gender, and their Birth and Death dates. People View displays people's Names, GRAMPS ID numbers, Gender, and their
The list can be ordered by any field. Example: to order list by the Birth date, click on the Birth date Birth and Death dates. The list can be ordered by any field. Example: to order
column heading. To order list in reverse (descending) order, click one more time on the desired list by the Birth date, click on the Birth date column heading. To order list
in reverse (descending) order, click one more time on the desired
column heading. column heading.
< < < <Filters < < < <Filters
Genealogical databases may contain huge numbers of people. Since the long lists are hard Genealogical databases may contain huge numbers of people. Since the long
for humans to handle, GRAMPS provides a convenient way to limit the scope of browsing lists are hard for humans to handle, GRAMPS provides a convenient way to limit
by using the Filter. To save screen space, Filter controls may be either displayed or not, depending the scope of browsing by using the Filter. To save screen space, Filter
on the state of View->Filter menu item. controls may be either displayed or not, depending on the state of View->Filter
menu item.
When GRAMPS opens a database, the Filter is set to the trivial filter called "All people", i.e. no When GRAMPS opens a database, the Filter is set to the trivial filter
filtering is in effect. To choose a filter, use a pop-up Filter menu above the people's called "All people", i.e. no filtering is in effect. To choose a filter, use a
list (Figure 4, sidebar, filter). Once the Filter is chosen, press apply button in the upper right corner pop-up Filter menu above the people's list (Figure 4, sidebar, filter). Once
of the window. The filtering will take effect upon pressing Apply. To invert the filtering rule, check the Filter is chosen, press apply button in the upper right corner of the
the Invert check-box on the left of Apply button. Example: To show people without children, window. The filtering will take effect upon pressing Apply. To invert
choose "People with children" Filter, then check Invert check-box, and then press Apply button. the filtering rule, check the Invert check-box on the left of Apply button.
To cancel any filtering, set the Filter to "All People" and then press Apply button. Example: To show people without children, choose "People with children" Filter,
then check Invert check-box, and then press Apply button. To cancel any
filtering, set the Filter to "All People" and then press Apply button.
Note: even if the Filter controls are not displayed (View->Edit menu item is unchecked), the filtering Note: even if the Filter controls are not displayed (View->Edit menu item is
might still be in place. In other words, the visibility of the Filter controls is not related to the actual unchecked), the filtering might still be in place. In other words, the
filtering imposed on the list. This may be a cause of confusion, when you enable the filtering and visibility of the Filter controls is not related to the actual filtering
then remove the controls from the display. If in doubt, enable the display of Filter controls imposed on the list. This may be a cause of confusion, when you enable the
(by checking View->Edit menu item) and check what kind of filtering is currently set. filtering and then remove the controls from the display. If in doubt, enable
the display of Filter controls (by checking View->Edit menu item) and check
what kind of filtering is currently set.
< < < <Alphabetical Tabs < < < <Alphabetical Tabs
GRAMPS offers another way of managing long lists of people -- alphabetical tabs. Upon loading GRAMPS offers another way of managing long lists of people -- alphabetical
a database, GRAMPS checks for the stored Family names and breaks the people list into sublists tabs. Upon loading a database, GRAMPS checks for the stored Family names and
based on the first letter of their name. The alphabetical tabs are displayed in the bottom part of breaks the people list into sublists based on the first letter of their name.
the GRAMPS window. The last tab, "Other," stands for unidentified characters -- all the entries The alphabetical tabs are displayed in the bottom part of the GRAMPS window.
The last tab, "Other," stands for unidentified characters -- all the entries
not assigned to any other tab end up in "Others." not assigned to any other tab end up in "Others."
< < <Family View < < <Family View
Family View displays the Family information of a currently selected (or Active) person. Family View displays the Family information of a currently selected
Specifically, this view shows the relationships (e.g marriages, partnerships, etc.) of the active person, (or Active) person. Specifically, this view shows the relationships (e.g
his/her parents (or step parents, or guardians, etc), and his/her children (could be step children, marriages, partnerships, etc.) of the active person, his/her parents (or step
parents, or guardians, etc), and his/her children (could be step children,
adopted children, etc.). adopted children, etc.).
The Active person's data is in the list-box in the upper left corner of the window. Directly below it, The Active person's data is in the list-box in the upper left corner of the
another box lists the Spouse's data, for each relationship of Active person (can be more than one). window. Directly below it, another box lists the Spouse's data, for each
The double-arrow button to the right of the Active person list-box allows to exchange the currently selected relationship of Active person (can be more than one). The double-arrow button
spouse (Current spouse) with the Active person. Double-clicking on the Active person allows to edit to the right of the Active person list-box allows to exchange the currently
Active person's data. Double-clicking on the Current spouse allows to edit their relationship information. selected spouse (Current spouse) with the Active person. Double-clicking on
To add a spouse, press "+" button to the right of the spouse box. To remove Current spouse, the Active person allows to edit Active person's data. Double-clicking on the
Current spouse allows to edit their relationship information. To add a spouse,
press "+" button to the right of the spouse box. To remove Current spouse,
press "-" button to the right of the spouse box. press "-" button to the right of the spouse box.
The parents of both the Active person and the Current spouse are listed in the corresponding list-boxes The parents of both the Active person and the Current spouse are listed in
in the right-hand part of the window (Active person's parents on top, Current spouse parents on the the corresponding list-boxes in the right-hand part of the window (Active
bottom). Both list-boxes have a set of three buttons on their right side. The "+" and "-" buttons allow person's parents on top, Current spouse parents on the bottom). Both
to add and remove parents of the Active person and the Current spouse, respectively. Pressing list-boxes have a set of three buttons on their right side. The "+"
the right arrow "->" button makes the family in the corresponding list-box and active family. That is, and "-" buttons allow to add and remove parents of the Active person and
it makes the selected Father the Active person, and the selected Mother the Current spouse. the Current spouse, respectively. Pressing the right arrow "->" button makes
the family in the corresponding list-box and active family. That is, it makes
the selected Father the Active person, and the selected Mother the Current
spouse.
The bottom list-box displays children of the Active person and the Current Spouse. Children's list The bottom list-box displays children of the Active person and the Current
can be order by the Birth date, by usual way of clicking on the Birth date column header. In addition Spouse. Children's list can be order by the Birth date, by usual way of
to the Name, ID, Gender, and Birth date columns, the list includes Status column. The pair of status clicking on the Birth date column header. In addition to the Name, ID, Gender,
words reflect the relationship between the child and his Father/Mother (such as Birth, Adoption, etc.) and Birth date columns, the list includes Status column. The pair of status
The three buttons are available on the right side of the children list-box. The "+" and "-" buttons allow words reflect the relationship between the child and his Father/Mother
to add and remove children, respectively. Pressing the left arrow button "<-" makes the selected child (such as Birth, Adoption, etc.) The three buttons are available on the right
the Active person. side of the children list-box. The "+" and "-" buttons allow to add and remove
children, respectively. Pressing the left arrow button "<-" makes the selected
child the Active person.
< < <Pedigree View < < <Pedigree View
Pedigree View helps to visualize the place of the Active person in the tree of its ancestors. Pedigree View helps to visualize the place of the Active person in the tree
Pedigree View shows four generations, going back in time from the Active person (1) to his/her of its ancestors. Pedigree View shows four generations, going back in time
parents (2), to grandparents (3), to great-grandparents (4). Each person is denoted by a white box from the Active person (1) to his/her parents (2), to grandparents (3), to
bearing the person's name. The two lines that converge on the box represent ties with the person's great-grandparents (4). Each person is denoted by a white box bearing the
Father (top line) and mother (bottom line). When the mouse moves over the white box, it expands person's name. The two lines that converge on the box represent ties with
to display the corresponding person's dates of birth and death. When the mouse is placed over the person's Father (top line) and mother (bottom line). Solid lines
the family line, the line changes color to indicate an active link: double-clicking on the line makes represent birth relations, while dashed lines represent non-birth relations
the corresponding ancestor the Active person. The display in that case is re-adjusted to show (such as adoption, step-parentship, guardianship, etc.). When the mouse moves
four generations, starting from a newly selected Active person. over the white box, it expands to display the corresponding person's dates
of birth and death. When the mouse is placed over the family line, the
line changes color to indicate an active link: double-clicking on the line
makes the corresponding ancestor the Active person. The display in that case
is re-adjusted to show four generations, starting from a newly selected
Active person.
The left-hand side of the window shows the left arrow button. Upon clicking, the button expands The left-hand side of the window shows the left arrow button. Upon clicking,
to the menu listing the children of the Active person. Selecting the menu item makes the button expands to the menu listing the children of the Active person.
the corresponding child the Active person. Selecting the menu item makes the corresponding child the Active person.
The right-hand side of the window shows two right arrow buttons. When the top button is clicked, The right-hand side of the window shows two right arrow buttons. When the
the Father of the Active person becomes Active person. Clicking the bottom button makes top button is clicked, the Father of the Active person becomes Active person.
the Mother of the Active person the Active person. Again, the display is re-adjusted to show Clicking the bottom button makes the Mother of the Active person the Active
four generations, starting from a newly selected Active person. person. Again, the display is re-adjusted to show four generations, starting
from a newly selected Active person.
[ WHAT'S UP WITH THE DASHED LINES IN PEDIGREE VIEW ? - I FORGOT :-) ]
< < <Sources View < < <Sources View
Sources View lists the sources of information stored in the database. This can include various Sources View lists the sources of information stored in the database.
documents (birth, death, and marriage certificates, etc.), books, films, journals, private diaries, This can include various documents (birth, death, and marriage certificates,
i.e. virtually anything that can be classified as a source of information. The sources can be used etc.), books, films, journals, private diaries, i.e. virtually anything that
as the reference for any event stored in the database. can be classified as a source of information. The sources can be used as the
The Source View lists the title, ID, and the author of the source. All the columns can be used for reference for any event stored in the database. The Source View lists the
sorting the list. The usual rules apply: one click for ascending order, another click for descending order. title, ID, and the author of the source. All the columns can be used for
sorting the list. The usual rules apply: one click for ascending order,
another click for descending order.
< < <Places View < < <Places View
Places View lists the geographical places in which the events of the database took place. These could Places View lists the geographical places in which the events of the database
be places of birth, death, marriages of people, as well as their home, employment, education addresses, took place. These could be places of birth, death, marriages of people, as
or any other conceivable reference to the geographical location. well as their home, employment, education addresses, or any other conceivable
The Places View lists places' Name, ID, Church Parish, City, County, State, and Country. All of these reference to the geographical location. The Places View lists places' Name,
can be used for sorting by the usual sorting rules. ID, Church Parish, City, County, State, and Country. All of these can be used
for sorting by the usual sorting rules.
< < <Media View < < <Media View
Media View is a list of Media Objects used in the database. These could be images, audio files, Media View is a list of Media Objects used in the database. Media Objects
animation files, etc. The list-box on the bottom lists the Name, ID, Type, and Path to the Media Object. are any files that relate somehow to the stored genealogical data.
The top part of the GRAMPS window shows the preview (if available) and the information about the Technically, any file can be stored as a Madia Object. Most frequently,
Media Object. these are images, audio files, animation files, etc. The list-box on the
bottom lists the Name, ID, Type, and Path to the Media Object. The top part
of the GRAMPS window shows the preview (if available) and the information
about the Media Object.
<Usage <Usage
< <Opening database < <Opening database