1: Where can I obtain Brother's Keeper?
If you have access to the WWW visit John Steed's Home Page. Download the files BKSETUP.EXE and BKSETUP.WO2. Note that you need BOTH files. The URL is:
or
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Brothers_Keeper/
or
BBS (616) 364-1127 (computer bulletin board system)
2: Where can I find the latest update information on the Windows version?
Check out John's home page. Click on - "Click here for recent changes"
3: How do I subscribe to the BK mailing list?
A mailing list for the discussion and sharing of information regarding the Brother's Keeper genealogy software program in English.
To subscribe, send email to BK-L-Request@Rootsweb.com for the list form or to BK-D-Request@Rootsweb.com for the Digest with SUBSCRIBE as the subject and no message. Note: Turn off or delete any automatic signature added.
To UNsubscribe, send email to BK-L-Request@Rootsweb.com or to BK-D-Request@Rootsweb.com depending on the list you subscribe to, with UNSUBSCRIBE as the subject and no message. Note: Turn off or delete any automatic signature added. (Updated, 6 Jun 1999)
Mailing address for postings is BK-L@Rootsweb.com you must have already subscribed to make a posting and from the same e-mail address.
or
See the following web page for information on the various mailing, digest and forums related to genealogy software:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~maillist/software/index.html
4: I have a problem with the on screen size of the windows which shows the family of an individual. It consists of four windows, Husband's data, wife's data, marriage data, and children (either one or all). My question relates to the foreshortened view of the first two windows. The line showing father and mother is only half visible.
If the mother and father do not show in the Edit screen, then perhaps that computer does not have the correct Windows screen fonts available. Use MS Sans Serif font which should be available in Windows for several point sizes, like 8 and 10.
5: Why, when I "compute relationship", does BK5 say that my parents are not related? They ARE married....is that not considered a relationship? Why does it not compute in-laws?
The relationship routine looks for people that are descended from the same person. If your parents were not related before marriage, then BK will say they are not related (i.e. not blood relatives.)
6: What exactly is an ahnentafel book?
It is a list of your ancestors with all information for each.
7: How do I decide who to put in and who to leave out of a genealogical tree?
Your call, put the people you want in the database. You can go any direction, or just follow one line. Don't confuse genealogy with family history. Family history includes non-blood related people like step children and friends.
8: I want to download the latest version, and I'm a little confused. How do I do it? Do I download the new, move all my info somehow and then delete the old?
Download both files (see Q1 in this section) to the same directory and double click on the BKSETUP.EXE file from file manager or explorer and then follow the screen prompts. It will find your BK program and UPGRADE it all by itself. There's nothing special that you have to do. Just have your data backed up, as usual, for safety.
9: Can I back up to a zip drive?
Starting with the 11 February 1999 version when doing a Backup, you can press F8 to pick other drives. Backup normally allows you to backup to A: B: or the last drive if it is removable. Press F8 to backup to any valid drive or directory. Warning: be careful to not backup over some directory on your hard drive that contains a different data base.
10: I have both the Windows and DOS versions installed. Is this going to give me problems?
Both DOS and WIN versions of BK co-exist in the same directory quite happily. You can work on the same databases interchangeably with BKDOS or BKWin any time you like. (Just don't run both programs at the same time, though).
11: What is the difference between GEDCOM and RTF?
RTF (Rich Text Format) is a format for a book type report to transfer the report into a word processor. GEDCOM is a format for transferring data into another genealogy program. If you are making a book, you create an RTF file to move the book into your word processor. RTF holds more formatting information than simple ASCII text files. Tabulators, hard and soft new line, special characters etc. Most modern word processors are able to import and export RTF files.
12: How do I change the picture of John Steed's grandfather on the start up screen?
If you do not want to see my grandfather's picture when the program starts, get the picture you want and create a file called MYPIC.BMP and put it in the BK5 directory (or wherever you have the BK Windows program installed.) It must be a bit map file and it must be small to fit properly. (Approximately 100 pixels wide and 120 tall should work.) If the MYPIC.BMP file does not exist, then my grandfather's picture will show.
13: I have JPG files attached to some of my records but BK won't display them.
There are different types of .JPG files. There is a new method that is sometimes used by a program that makes a .JPG file and that new method makes a type of .JPG file that BK does not currently read. So my suggestion is to convert it to a .PCX file so BK can read it. You don't have to change all your .JPG files, just the ones that BK cant read. Or else load the .JPG file into another paint program and save it as .JPG again and perhaps the other program makes the type of .JPG that BK can read.
If the PCX file is too large for you then here is a secret. (I am sure no one else is listening). Have BK display the PCX file. Then while it is showing, press the F5 key. Then pick File, Save As. (that will only show up if you press F5 before you pick File on the top menu.) Then save the file as a .JPG file. Then have BK point to the new .JPG file. Then you can erase the .PCX file later.
14: What type of software is Brother's Keeper?
Brother's Keeper is a shareware program which means that you can try it before you buy it. If you have already paid John Steed for the program, thank you. If you have either downloaded the program, or obtained it from a friend or a shareware company, then you are using it on a trial basis and if you decide to keep using the program you should pay John Steed by sending $49 U.S. check or Visa or MasterCard. You will receive the current version, the printed manual, a registration number and password to turn on extra features, technical support, and discounts on new versions. John Steed, 6907 Childsdale Ave., Rockford, MI 49341 USA.
For more information about shareware please see the ASP home page.
Last updated June 30, 1999
These web pages have first been created by Simon Quill,
but now updated by James J. Dell and
Otto Jørgensen
Copyright © 2012 Brother's Keeper. All Rights Reserved | HTML5 | CSS