Tech Forum

Our stake has expressed interest in obtaining additional computers for some of our FHC sites and I have been asked about the possibility of using Chromebooks or Chromebox. I personally would love to see this work since the management would be simplified with automatic updates and the lack of a Windows OS to worry about.

However, I don't believe that we would be able to access the premium sites (primarily Ancestry Institution) from Chrome OS because the Portal config scrip written for Windows OS wouldn't work.

Is there any way around this or does anyone have experience with this working?

I heard a rumor that access may soon be granted to Ancestry Institution for anyone with a FS/LDS Account, which would seem to solve the problem. We'd still need some Windows computers to access other sites and legacy programs, but 99% of the work is online FS and AI.

I think the portal config script just enters a proxy server. So that can be dealt with. I'd be more concerned about the scripts for certificates needed to function.

I have to run off right now, but I think you need to check policy. If you're wanting to get additional computers, they should be purchased though the family history department to maintain the church standard config.

Found it: Check the computer section of FHC Operations Guide.

russellhltn wrote:Found it: Check the computer section of FHC Operations Guide.

You don't want to try and 'get around' a solution implemented to keep the Church in compliance with licensing.

As a follow-up question, I'm currently serving as a stake executive secretary, the Presidency would like to purchase 4 auxiliary laptops to used for stake indexing trainings, Family Search, etc. These would also be available for wards to checkout for FH Sunday School courses & other activities. . . Would this fall into that category of a "Family History Center" and would it be necessary of follow the FHC Operations Guide? Seems like our PFR High Councilman suggested we should go through the FM group. Any guidance would be helpful, I don't want to take this purchase down the wrong path.

Also with the anticipated changes to indexing, do you know if Chrome OS will be supported? Chromebook would likely be a cheaper alternative to buying a windows laptop . . . for the above activities. Thoughts?

tomj wrote:the Presidency would like to purchase 4 auxiliary laptops to used for stake indexing trainings, Family Search, etc. These would also be available for wards to checkout for FH Sunday School courses & other activities. . . Would this fall into that category of a "Family History Center"

No, those four laptops would not become a "Family History Center," where PCs are registered, monitored, and controlled by the Family History Department. The would simply be laptops the stake decided to purchase and put in the Library.

I would wonder about the wisdom of such a purchase. We expect class participants to bring their devices, because they will take them back home to do the work anyway.

lajackson wrote:I would wonder about the wisdom of such a purchase. We expect class participants to bring their devices, because they will take them back home to do the work anyway.

I have also expressed concern, but they feel that there are still members who don't have a portable computing device, and in 2014 they really want to push indexing.

How do you feel about Chromebooks . . . Any idea whether they will work with the upcoming online version of Family Search Indexing?

tomj wrote:How do you feel about Chromebooks . . . Any idea whether they will work with the upcoming online version of Family Search Indexing?

I have no idea. And I would certainly want to find out before I expended any significant resources and then found out they did not work.

Just pondering here. I wonder if I could convince my meetinghouse library to buy laptops so that I could check out one for the week to take it home and do indexing work. I would probably do indexing every week, just so I could keep one checked out. [grin]

Don't laugh too hard. One of our bishops recently asked if one of his house-bound members could do indexing without a computer. When I said no, he probably wanted to ask if the ward could buy her a computer.

drepouille wrote:Don't laugh too hard.

This precious post leaves so many openings that are so totally off topic that I must restrain myself. Thank you for a brilliant start to my new year.