How was it decided?

Question

I'm not a fan, at all, of allowing wholesale downloading of gedcoms from wikitree.  While I realize I am just one person, how was it decided that this would be the policy and are these sorts of things ever revisted?

Answer 1

Hi Michael,  I don't know the answer to your question, but I want to be sure I understand.  You are taliking about exporting from WikiTree, not importing and uploading to WikiTree, right?

For export, you have two options:

1. Export a file with everyone in your Watchlist.
2. Export a tree starting with a particular person.

Which process is a problem and can you explain why?  I use the export to keep my FamilyTreeDNA myFamilyTree page current and as an emergency backup for my home files.  How has this option been a problem for you?  Thanks for any clarification.  

Answer 2

Yes, I tend to put stuff in on the basis that it can be changed later.  But if it gets gedcommed out, it may go into irretrievable circulation and can never be changed later.

Answer 3

Hi Michael, thank you for posting.

Although it doesn't have to, "wholesale" usually means selling.  I think a different word might be more fair and accurate as WikiTree never asks for a cent :)

I donwloaded a gedcom and found it was not as extensive as I thought, mainly because it only included those on my Watchlist.  If you have not downloaded one and checked it out you might wish to do so.

WikiTree is about sharing information freely... I'm sure that's why downloading is allowed.

Have a great day!

Comments

Hmm, the GEDCOM download page does say that "Your file will include all the profiles you are trusted to access." I suppose that means it is limited to profiles for which we are on Trusted Lists. Thus it wouldn't include all those ancestors who have Open profiles that I'm not on the Trusted List for.

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That is correct :)

Answer 4

Michael: Hello, I can't see where you have responded to Kitty's query regarding whether you were referring to exporting gedcoms from WikiTree (i.e. a download to outside WikiTree - i.e. from WikiTree) or to importing gedcoms to WikiTree (i.e. an upload into WikiTree - from outside WikiTree).

 If you were able to clarify this it would help me, for one, understand the system better than I currently do.  Many thanks