Friday, May 11, 2012

NGS 2012 - Day 3

It's been a long day.  Sessions were generally OK.  However, the most unexpected topic was the one that I really needed the most.  Dr. William B Saxbe, Jr spoke at 4 pm today on "How to be a Bad Genealogist."  I expected some humor.  But this session had us all in laughs for the full hour.  This was a great way to end the day.  If you ever have a chance to hear Dr. Saxbe speak on this topic, and you need a laugh, make sure to attend this session.

I didn't go to any truly crowded sessions, but I'll order CDs for them. 

While Tom Jones and Elizabeth Shown Mills had full classes in the largest room, according to some other attendees two other sessions (held in smaller rooms) also had to turn some people away.  "Pursuing your Genealogical Research in the Library of Congress without traveling to Washington, D.C." by James Sweany and John T Humphrey's "German Language Skills for the Genealogist".  Isn't it great to see the wide variety of choices?

Every time I walked by the 1940 indexing station, the computers were full.  What a great way to get more indexers.  While you index two projects, someone is right there to answer questions.   

I'm making my list of sessions for tomorrow.  I also need to get my CD order organized so I can turn it in during the morning.  The vendor hall closes at 3 tomorrow so lunch time will be my last opportunity to make sure I haven't missed anything. 

I've been talking to people who have ipads and other devices.  I'm trying to decide what I want to replace my heavy laptop while I'm traveling.  I definitely want a full-sized keyboard, since I touch type.  I'm not sure I can deal with a keyboard on the screen.  I appreciate all of the people who have shown me their "devices" and told me what they liked about then and what they might buy now, whether it is the same thing or something different.

It's time to get my two (minimum) projects indexed tonight.  Then it's to bed.  I think.  Some music is reaching my room from street level (and I'm on the 28th floor).  The front desk doesn't know where it's coming from.  I'm afraid it's going to be a late night of entertainment for others, and "secondary music" for me until after 11.  I hope not, but I'll deal with it.

Remember Las Vegas, 8-11 May, 2013.