Massive errors and non-functioning
Brought to you by:
canajun2eh,
yalnifj
Menu
▾
▴
I installed the latest version using Dreamhost one click installs. The problem I came upon right away was that I didn't understand much of anything. It was not in any context user friendly to set up. But I eventually managed to get some of it working. (still don't understand any of it, as the install documentation assumes too much knowledge) I had a few problems with the forum feature, and I can only hope that using the same database for that as the rest of the site didn't break anything. The real problem started with gallery2 - it was a preinstalled module and whenever I would click it the whole page would be covered in fatal errors. I tried to find information about it on the website and there was none, except for an install link. So I downloaded it, thinking maybe there would be something updated. The moment I overwrote the gallery2 everything died.
http://genealogy.etherealspheres.com/genealogy/
It's nothing but fatal errors everywhere. I don't understand any of this and it looks like I am going to be stuck deleting everthing and starting over… but it's all just too complicated. I don't really understand why it has to be.
All I want is a website for family members to coordinate family history mapping. I'd like people to be able to upload photos, birth certificates, that kind of thing. Certainly the same as everyone else. Wouldn't it make more sense to have something usable "out of the box" instead of leaving the user to input the same information on multiple forms?
You are using the gallery2 module from PGV4.2.3 with PGV4.2.0
You cannot mix and match like this. You either need to download the 4.2.0 module or upgrade the main site to 4.2.3.
elliander: I am on Dreamhost and did my initial install a couple of years ago via Dreamhost. Found it great. Their email gives step by step instructions on how to enter the data required. I had to do very little in the Dreamhost web panel other than create the subdomain where it will live, give a name for the databases/tables.
Make sure if you're using Dreamhost their versions are compatible, as fish says. I now do the updates via PGV as Dreamhost doesn't update as fast as needed. They're on 4.2.0 I believe but you will want 4.2.3. Forgot to send message to Dreamhost to update their version, it's understandable they don't always monitor.
elliander: An update from Dreamhost: They are in the process of updating the ADVANCE install of PGV to 4.2.3. There is a function that allows updating. **WARNING** ask their tech support detailed questions of what they preserve when this is done, in accordance with PGV procedures: not replace /index, config.php and /media… Otherwise, follow PGV Wiki to update.
(If you don't have a Live gedcom yet, then overwrite isn't a problem, I assume)
Thanks for the reply. I guess the version difference makes sense, but I also had problems before I overwrote the folder. Just not as much… I ended up deleting it all (since it was a broken installation at that point) and am giving a few other programs a try while I wait for an update. Right now I have GeneTree installed and that program just gives me the opposite problem. Easier to get up and running but much less customizable. So I'm probably going to jump around allot.
I always use the Advanced installs so no worries there.
The gedcom thing remains a significant confusion though. Shouldn't it be that each username should have it's own gedcom, with the option for family members to merge their gedcoms together for coordinating efforts? Not even anscestry.com has a means of giving two users a shared tree. While I understand, for example, that a shared tree would mean extra information - for example, I would have a different mother than one cousin - but coordinating efforts for a combined extended tree is really what I had in mind.
And why would the gallery be in a distinct section? Shouldn't each name on a list have it's own section for adding things like that?
elliander: Dreamhost just notified me that 4.2.3 is now availble for one-click advance install.
You DEFINITELY don't want each user to have their own gedcom! How else would you put families together if "John Doe" that each family has in common is replicated throughout? "Ancestry.com" is one of a host of online trees that allows anyone to upload their gedcom. However, if you are invited to view a person's gedcom then you would provide them with yours, not create another. In their case though, they are dealing with the public, not like you where you would determine every one who has permission to edit your gedcom. If they have one of value themselves, they would send it to you so you could verify it. You wouldn't just want to upload and overwrite yours (it would erase *everything*) and replace it with theirs. They may only have a few people compared to yours that say has hundreds or more.
I am invited to see/edit one Ancestry.com by one former distant cousin-by-marriage (rats, he divorced and it was the wife who related back to me). I can edit stuff but if I want to add I'd have to add one by one or send him my gedcom. I don't know if approval-before-display is an option with Ancestry as it is in PGV. That's important. If I change John Doe's info to incorrect data would you want me to? Wouldn't you want to veto my change since you know your information is correct and validated with sources.
Can't answer about Gallery2. I do know when I tried to install PGV into a new subdirectory (currentPGV.mydomain.com/new) off of the one I have live I was told I cannot unless I erase everything. Meaning my live site. So, created a new subdomain. Maybe that's the same thing for Gallery2, others here can answer that. Also, use the forum search as it's been asked before (questions about Gallery2 and PGV)
Elliander
Mac is right. If "coordinating efforts for a combined extended tree " is what you want, then a single shared tree is the only practical solution. Its what PGV is designed for.
However, with a little effort, you can have it either way with PGV. You can have as many GEDCOM files as you want - even one per user if you must. Then PGV has a "linking" feature, that allows common individuals to be linked between the trees. The trees don't even have to be on the same server. PGV can 'link' across trees that are on separate domains, servers etc.
However, that becomes extremely complex, and some of the better charts just don't work well in that scenario. If at all possible, one tree is by far the easiest solution.
If a user comes to you with their own GEDCOM file, then merging is an option. But PGV doesn't do it for you, and it is very difficult to do well. There are various software solutions for merging. Many do a reasonable job - NONE are perfect. there are just too many variables.
As for gallery2 - you might be under a mistaken understanding there. It is NOT a necessary apart of PGV. PGV has its own built in media handling facilities, especially good for the birth certificates etc that you mentioned. Gallery2 is an option only for people who want to add images that don't easily attach to individuals or events.
The same could to some extent be said for the "forum" module (I assume you meant punBB? That again is not strictly required. PGV has its own built in messaging system. Not exactly a forum, but it works well for occasional discussions. You just need to decide on priorities. With punBB, plus gallery2, plus PGV you are managing (as admin) three completely independent pieces of software. Each with their own developers, and their own schedules of upgrades. If they are important to you, then by all means use them. At least with those two within PGV your users will only need a single login for all.
My advice though, is always to start simple. Get PGV up and running, learn more about its capabilities (huge), privacy rules, media handling, customisation etc etc etc.. Then invite a few users to join. See how that works. Then start considering add-ons like gallery2, punBB etc. I promise you, it pays to take it carefully. PGV has a huge array of options to consider.
Nigel