Re: [Gramps-devel] Re: GEDCOM 6 XML issues, and Same Sex Marriage recognition

[Jason S. <wha...@us...>]

> Yes, I think simply documenting the GRAMPS format is a good first
> step. Having an official, versioned PDF gives us an opportunity to
> point to something "authoritative" that both explains what the
> standard is and provides some rhetoric behind what it is trying to do.
> The starting thread for this conversation proves some considerable
> thought continues to go into GRAMPS. Being open, I don't doubt that
> other applications will want to build from and contribute to the
> efforts here. And we can certainly grow from others (as we already
> have).

*smirks*  You know, it appears to me that we have a unique place in
this, because of the fact that we are open, and are internationally
used.  I don't think many programs actually do get to the nitty gritty
cultural based stuff.  As for this thread, I think I created a monster
when i sent it to Don.  But that's OK.  At least we are getting into
some new dynamics of where this all could go.

> I have barely four hours a week for genealogy but I'm going to
> continue plodding along with my GEDCOM validation exploration.
> Frankly, between us, I still experience import "weirdities" from my
> RootsMagic but at this point I'm betting it's as much that app as it
> is GRAMPS. But some good test data might benefit everyone.

Steve, if you need any help, let me know, because of your time
constraints.  I seem to have more time in the evenings, so I can help if
you'd like.

I'll have to agree that creating a whole new specification would be a
serious undertaking, but we are international now.  I have to agree with
your comment about GEDCOM not being liked.  I admit that the GEDCOM
standard has it's bright points, bit it seems to be far too limited for
our use, especially with the way we want to serve our users.  BTW, is
the rights to use the GEDCOM specs free, or do we actually have to
license it?  I can't remember, so that's why I ask.

I guess the whole reason I felt that I needed to write this morning was
to get my thoughts about the GEDCOM 6 specs out in the open.  I felt
that the whole spec was restrictive in some ways, and that I felt that
we could do better in implementing an international standard because we
have both end users and developers on this team.  We are each dynamic
and changing, and we all seem to see each others points of view pretty
well.

Changing the specs, or even adapting them from GEDCOM 6, will be a task,
but I think we are up to it.  *smirks*  With that in mind, I really do
need to start reading the wiki pages, so I can see where I can help.  I
feel like one of the resident bug finders.

-Jason