Week #16 – Tech Toys. Genealogists love their technology toys! Which tech gadget do you appreciate the most? How has this tool enhanced your family history experience? Would you recommend it to others?
I am a late-comer to the magic of iPhone! I purchased mine in January when a cell phone contract expired - finally. Here are just a few uses. I can use it to listen to podcasts about genealogy while I'm walking, and then record reminders to myself about the new ideas I've heard. I can record family interviews. I can take photographs of everything from book pages to tombstones. I can make notes of research tasks to take to the library. I can access my family files on Ancestry or MyHeritage. I can access my books on my Kindle Fire - many of which are genealogy related. When I'm away from home, I can still read my email and respond to inquiries about my genealogy posted online. I used the RootsTech app extensively when I attended the conference in February.
I don't yet own an iPad but I will when my mini-notebook is obsolete, because I'm sure I could do all of these tasks on a larger screen! However, it will not have the portability of the iPhone.
I would definitely recommend a smart-phone as a genealogy research helper.
