This chapter provides the most basic information on starting &app; and obtaining help. Please proceed to the following chapters for more information. You can start &app; in the following ways: Applications menu The method of starting &app; from the menus may vary from distribution to distribution. On default GNOME desktop, choose Other Gramps. Command line To start &app; from a command line, type gramps, then press Enter. If you would like &app; to open a specific database or to import a specific file on startup, you can use the filename as a command line argument: gramps filename.grdb where filename.grdb is the name of the file you want to open. The command line provides many more ways to start &app; and perform different tasks. The detailed reference to the command line options is found in . The first time you run the program, GRAMPS will display its Getting Started dialogs. Follow the directions that guide you through Researcher information, Numerical date formats, Alternate calendar support, and the LDS extensions sections. Most of the dialogs are self-explanatory and will not be covered here.

Shows Researcher Information Window.

Enter your personal information in the corresponding text entry fields. Although &app; requests information about you, this information is used only so that &app; can create valid GEDCOM output files. A valid GEDCOM file requires information about the file's creator. If you choose, you may leave the information empty, however all the GEDCOM files you export will be invalid. This information can be entered at any time in the Preferences dialog, under the Database/Researcher Information category. If &app; is started without a database selected, the following window will appear prompting you to choose one to open.

Shows Open Database Window.

If you would like to open an existing database, check the top radio button and click the OK button. You will then be asked to specify the name of your existing database. If you would like to immediately create a brand new database from scratch right away, choose new database. This version of &app; does not require selecting a directory for the database. Please select filename, as you would in any other application. The following items are available from the Help to provide immediate assistance: User manual Select this item to access this manual in the help browser. FAQ Select this item to read the Frequently Asked Questions about &app; in the browser. GRAMPS home page Select this item to open the home page of &app; in your default web browser. GRAMPS mailing lists Select this item to direct your web browser to the &app; mailing list archives. Report a bug Select this item to file a bug report regarding &app; with the bug tracking system. Show plugin status Select this item to display the status of loaded plugins. Open example database Select this item to load the example database shipped with &app;. This database is composed of fictitious people and serves as a useful example for learning how to work with &app;.