Gadgets and Genealogy
The game changing power of a second monitor
Like my father, I love gadgets. He sold television and radio parts, reel-to-reel tape recorders, and other gadgets that we were allowed to test (play with). So, I inherited the gadget gene. Whether it's art tools, kitchen helpers, or genealogy assistants, I’m all in.
My new purchase and latest gadget, a second monitor, has been a game changer. I have no idea how I ever lived without it. I wished I had purchased one back when I was deep into those German records (although I still am in them almost daily!).
When genealogist Connie Knox of Genealogy TV recommended a second monitor (she has two extra screens), I didn't think it was necessary. I have a 27-inch screen that is ample for most projects. Then I looked at the price and thought, why not? This ViewSonic 24-inch screen costs $117. It includes several cords, but I needed a USB C to DVI adapter for the Mac, which cost around $11. Then, it was plug-and-play.
Now, did I really need a second screen? Well, I've spent all my computer life with one screen and survived, but having that second screen would have saved so much time and frustration of juggling the files. I wish that I had purchased one sooner. I can look at the church records or other documents while the tree is on the main screen.
There is no more moving files around. Or I can look at my trees on two different sites.
But it's not limited to those two instances or genealogy. I'm working on the Vote411 website, entering all the candidates in my county for the upcoming general election. Putting the spreadsheet of candidates on the second monitor while adding them to the website on the main screen makes the task so much simpler, and keeps me from making mistakes.
There are so many other uses that I've just scratched the surface. Hubby will make a stand for this monitor so it will be at the same eye level as my main screen, but until then, I added some books to raise it up.
There is one thing to remember, and this happened today. I closed my browser screen on the second monitor and shut it down since it doesn't need to be on constantly. After working a bit, I wanted to open Firefox. It wouldn't open, then I realized it was on the second monitor. I turned the screen back on and moved the browser back to my primary screen.
It has made my research much more manageable and helped me with other tasks. I hesitated about getting a second monitor, but now I’m so glad I did. Do you have a second monitor, or have you thought about getting one? I’d love to talk you into adding one to your genealogy toolbox!
Can completely echo the use of a second monitor, I've found it to be essential! I, like you, had used one screen for ages and didn't think I needed a second one. I always ask myself how I managed to do things with only one screen. It's revolutionary.
I also use two screens on my PC. I just got a second screen for my laptop so I can do my genealogy research when I need to sit with my legs elevated. My son has six screens, all wall mounted, but he's a programmer so I guess it makes sense. I wish I had room for a third.
A scanner also comes in handy so photographs and paper documents can be digitalized.
I also found that one of those smart reusable notebooks, like a Rocketbook, are great for research away from home. You snap a picture of your notes in the app and it converts them to text. Sure beats typing them when you get home.