Conference tecrus::mormonism

Hi, everyone! May I take this opportunity to turn to more mundane
matters? 

I'm in the process of setting up the Home Teaching organization for a
new branch. There are about 350 members in 114 families (its a big
branch). We have about 25 available home teachers as senior
companions, and an as-yet-to-be-determined number of junior
companions. So it's not a simple job. 

The "Membership Information System" made available to the units of the
Church is nice; it keeps track of names, addresses, and lots of little
details. But, of course, like any system, you only get out what you
put in. Even with a crackerjack Branch Clerk, it will take a while for
him to load up the machine with all the relevant data, match it
against the records from Salt Lake, keep on top of updates, etc. In
the meantime, Home Teaching can't wait. 

I want to avoid at all costs doing a big paperwork project just for
Home Teaching. Heaven knows the burden of paperwork waxes exceedingly
mighty upon the children of Israel as it is. :-) 

We're toying with the idea of setting up a separate database which
would hold just the demographic info relevant to home teaching (names,
address, date-of-birth, ordination(s), etc.), plus a few additional
items that the Church's software does not keep track of (record of
home teaching visits, prior home teacher's name, etc.) 

There are a lot of positives to this idea, and few negatives. Any
reactions? Has this been done before? If so, where? 

And beyond this one example, what other ways have you found to use
technology to help with your callings? Perhaps an exchange of ideas on
this subject will help someone looking for a new approach in their 
callings. 


/kevin 

Hi Kevin,

I'm not familiar with the "Membership Information System" provided by the
Church. The ideal thing would be to have one database for the whole ward and
then extract subsets for home teaching, Primary, etc.  If you create your own
database for home teaching, then you end up having to maintain it as well
as the one from the Church.

Does the "Membership Information System" allow you to expand the record
format for each entry in the database so you could include additional
items on each person?  If so, then you could define the type of record
you need for each entry and "quickly" add the home teaching fields for
your membership.  At a slower pace, you could go back and fill in the
other fields in the records.

The only experience I've had with high-tech and Church callings was to
create a temporary database on my home computer to track those who were
going on a Temple trip (this was before the Wards had their own computer).

Good luck with your new calling!

Allen

>Does the "Membership Information System" allow you to expand the record
>format for each entry in the database so you could include additional
>items on each person?  If so, then you could define the type of record
>you need for each entry and "quickly" add the home teaching fields for
>your membership.  At a slower pace, you could go back and fill in the
>other fields in the records.
 
    The MIS software is kind of rigid. It is highly menu driven and
    does not allow you to modify it much.  Generally speaking, it has
    two types of record structures.  One is the family record which
    lists the name, address, phone number, and family members names,
    birth dates and status (F,M,D,T,P,E,S,H,U,N, etc.).  The other record
    type is the individual record which contains every thing about the
    individuals.  There is a field for home teachers and visiting teachers.
    I think there are 4 user defined fields for each individual.  The
    one good thing about the MIS program is that it is good for generating
    reports even though it is slow.  It takes 45 minutes to print a
    roster when it is being run off of the floppies.  It takes 20 minutes
    if the data is loaded into RAM.  They are supposed to be coming
    out with a new version by December which requires a hard disk. 
    Right now it is optional.  Also, we are not required to update.
    
    Our ward uses high tech quite a bit.  Some of the auxiliary
    organizations use computers to generate fliers and agendas.  The
    bishop, ward clerk and high priest group leader of our ward use
    computers to maintain their own databases of the people they need
    information about.  To me this seems kind of redundant but, hey
    it's their time.  Our stake mission president is constantly generating
    reports, lists and what not for his missionaries.  Currently, the
    PC we have in our building has been down quite a bit because the
    hard disk has been crashing.
                   
    We currently have a ward clerk with 2 membership clerks.  I get
    to push papers and the other membership clerk is responsible for
    the roster as it is on the computer.
                                                                   
    Like Allan mentioned, a fast way to get up is to create each family
    record with just the names and add home teachers to it.  Then go
    back and put in the other stuff.
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    scott                           
    
    PS.  Is this for the new Cambodian ward out there?

RE: < Note 213.1 and .2 >

Hi! Thanks for the info. Some additional questions....

Is it not possible to download information from the MIS database to a
datafile, which can in turn be used by a separate set of programs?
Thus it should be possible to receive "feeds" from the clerk
periodically, or at least be able to reconcile the two sets of data
mechanically. 

It will probably be the Elders' quorum & the home teaching
organization which will be aware of most changes before the clerk
is. Yes, this is for the new Lowell (Asian) branch that has just
been formed in Massachusetts. It sometimes seems that all our
Cambodian brothers and sisters ever spend their time doing is moving
from place to place, so the home teachers are usually the first to 
find out that someone has moved. 

>    Currently, the
>    PC we have in our building has been down quite a bit because the
>    hard disk has been crashing.
                   
If (when) this should happen to our computer, I'd have a nervous 
breakdown, as would several other people. To me this argues for a 
degree of redundancy in keeping ward records. 

So having a tool to keep track of people, under separate control and 
updated on a more frequent basis than the MIS system, seems to be what 
is needed. Is it the case that the MIS system has to be in sync with 
Salt Lake? Can you put people in your computer even if they aren't 
'officially' part of your ward? If you do, what problems does this 
create?

Thanks again,
/kevin

>Is it not possible to download information from the MIS database to a
>datafile, which can in turn be used by a separate set of programs?
>Thus it should be possible to receive "feeds" from the clerk
>periodically, or at least be able to reconcile the two sets of data
>mechanically. 
 
    Yes. Our stake membership clerk comes around and asks us to put
    our data files on a floppy.  I don't know if he runs an extraction
    program to create mailing labels or if he uses the mail label creation
    feature of the MIS program.  He uses the mailing labels for the
    stake newsletter.
    
    >>    Currently, the
>>    PC we have in our building has been down quite a bit because the
>>    hard disk has been crashing.
                   
>If (when) this should happen to our computer, I'd have a nervous 
>breakdown, as would several other people. To me this argues for a 
>degree of redundancy in keeping ward records. 
    
    In talking with our bishop last night, he mentioned that we might
    be getting a computer for our ward.  The PC we use right now is
    for the building and is shared by another ward.  If that happens
    we will do things differently, hopefully better.
    
    Anytime we make any updates to the data files, we do backup
    the files to 3 different disks.  The method we have developed is
    that the MIS software is used to keep an accurate picture of what
    the ward currently looks like.  Don't forget that we still have
    the actual membership records in the usual membership records box.
    Once a quarter, Salt Lake sends a reconciliation disk which goes
    thru and compares what they have with what is on our computer and
    then prints a report of differences.  We use this reconciliation
    report among other things to insure that what they have is accurate.
     In the end, what we have is the computer data which reflects the
    membership at any given time.  The data in the computer box is the
    2nd most accurate because of the time lag in getting information
    between here and Salt Lake.  Finally, Salt Lake records are the
    3rd most accurate.
    
>    So having a tool to keep track of people, under separate control and 
>updated on a more frequent basis than the MIS system, seems to be what 
>is needed. Is it the case that the MIS system has to be in sync with 
>Salt Lake? Can you put people in your computer even if they aren't 
>'officially' part of your ward? If you do, what problems does this 
>create?
    
    When someone moves in we put them on the computer right away
    and request there records from Salt Lake.  When the records get
    here we update what we have on the computer with dates and numbers.
    When someone moves out, we take them off the computer when we find
    out they are gone and send the info to Salt Lake.  When the they
    acknowledge our info, we then take them out of the box.  I guess,
    for right now, it would probably be ok to put people on who are
    not officially part of the ward.  We do it with non-member spouses
    if that is what your referring to.  The reason for this is that
    one of the reports which can be requested regards single adults
    and if the member does not have a spouse listed on the computer
    they get counted as a single.  Sometimes, we put dummy spouse names
    into override this feature when we have a difficult time getting
    the info.
    
    I think the long range goal is to use modems or something to actually
    link into the computers in Salt Lake and do the updates ourselves.
    There are some things about the software that I don't like and
    hoepfully they will have improved it in the next release.  One is the
    fact that there are no short cut keys to get to certain menus without
    having to go thru other menus.  The other is the way the data is
    retrieved when it is printed.  It appears that they buffer one
    individual record at a time whereas they could fetch more than one at a
    time.  Remember, this is my own speculation so I could be wrong. 
    
    Another policy is that the MIS software and data cannot be removed
    from the chapel.  A copy of the data files can but not the original
    data files.  They are just like real membership records.        
    
    scott

    In Nashua II we use the Executive Sec's data base as the "best"
    and primary data base.  I (as the ward newletter printer) send him
    any new information I may receive and the other organizations do
    the same.  He provides the library with an up to date ward list
    and he provides me with a floppy periodically so I can insure my
    data base reflects the most current data.  If you are statring from
    scratch I'd select a good data base package and get copies for each
    organization to insure compatibility.  My package and the Exec Sec's
    are differrent but I can easily read his files.  Others, however,
    are not so fortunate.  Since the Exec Sec data base contains all
    information he does not copy the fields I'm not interested in, but
    could copy different fields for each organization (ie. birthdays
    for Primary, etc.).  If you would like I'll be glad to talk to you
    about the data base I use and could point you to our Exec Sec.
    Dennis Cardon
    

    >I'm trying to figure out what PAF  for, with no luck. If it is software
    >for the IBM PC, then chances are that it will not run at all on your
    >Rainbow. 
     
    I think the PAF stands for the Personal Ancestory File software.
    It is ms-dos compatible and is sold at Deseret Book.
    
    scott

From:	SMURF::SOUSA "Penny Sousa * DTN 381-0545 * ZKO3-3/T13  15-Mar-1989 1332" 15-MAR-1989 11:32
To:	SCOTT
Subj:	PAF.........what it is!   (Saw your reply in Mormonism notesfile)

From:	SMURF::SOUSA        "Penny Sousa * DTN 381-0545 * ZKO3-3/T13" 15-MAR-1989 13:29:22.13
To:	SMURF::SOUSA
CC:	
Subj:	PAF



           <<< CLT::SYS$SYSDEVICE:[NOTES$LIBRARY]GENEALOGY.NOTE;1 >>>
                                   -< ROOTS >-
================================================================================
Note 209.0             Personal Ancestral File (Software)              7 replies
BAGELS::SOUSA                                       199 lines  31-MAR-1988 15:58
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I'd just like to give you a brief description of the software put
    out by the LDS (Mormon) Church as a genealogical management system
    for home computers.  I purchased the software about 6 months ago
    but I have not purchased a computer yet.  I understand it does
    not work on the Rainbow, which I use daily at work, but I do know
    other friends who have this package and are VERY satisfied with
    it.
    
    Here is what the brochure says about it.  In fact, I picked up the
    brochure at the LDS Genealogical Library in Nashua, N.H.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------
    
    A Standard for Genealogical Software
    	
    	o If you are looking for a useful genealogy program package for
          your personal computer, Personal Ancestral File (TM) is your
          answer.
    
    	o Personal Ancestral File brings to you a system designed to
    	  simplify your genealogical record keeping.
    
    	o Developed and distributed by the Genealogical Department of
     	  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is powerful
    	  and sophisticated, yet easy to use.
    
    	o Personal Ancestral File offers three unique programs: Family
    	  Records; Research Data Filer; and GEDCOM (Genealogical Data
    	  Communications), a communications program
    
    	o The software package includes a user manual in a deluxe easel
    	  style 3-ring 8-by-9-inch binder with diskettes included.
    
    Family Records
    
    	The Family Records program enables you to assemble your pedigree
    	and at the same time compile a wealth of genealogical information
    	for each of your ancestors.  You can enter the following
    	information about each ancestor:
    
    		o Name (surname and up to three given names)
    		o Gender
    		o Title, if any (Dr. etc.)
    		o Birth date and place and/or christening date and place
    		o Death and burial dates and places
    		o Spouse, marriage date, and place of marriage
    		o LDS-ordinance dates and places (if applicable)
    		o User-assigned ID number
    
    Notes
    
    	In addition to recording the previous information, Personal
    	Ancestral File enables you to enter historical information or
    	source reference notes for each individual--valuable background
    	information every genealogist wants to keep.
    
    Storage
    
    	You store this information on a diskette other than a program
    	diskette, enabling you to record information about an unlimited
    	number of people.  You are only limited by the number of diskettes
    	you want to buy.  For each diskette, the system assigns a unique
    	number (called a Record Identification Number) for each of your
    	ancestors, aiding information retrieval.  In addition to this
    	number you may assign to each ancestor an ID number unique within
    	your file.
    
    Family grouping
    
    	The program enables you to group families together, linking
    	you with your spouse, children, parents and siblings (and
    	repeating that for each generation).
    
    Pedigree searches
    
    	As you enter more and more information and establish the links
    	from family to family, the program also allows you to search
    	your pedigree lines on a given diskette and either display or
    	print them in a chart.
    
    Printouts
    
    	The program can print blank or filled-in pedigree charts and
    	Family Group Record forms in either letter or legal size.  For
    	Latter-day Saints, the program can also produce completed name
    	submission forms for temple ordinances as well as lists of
    	persons whose temple work has not been completed.
    
    	All of the information entered on any person can be printed
    	out, including history notes.
    
    Sort Capability
    
    	The system will also sort and print lists--such as names of
    	individuals ordered alphabetically, by Record Identification
    	Number or by user-assigned ID number.
    
    Research Data Filer
    
    	A separate program to help you manage large volumes of original
    	research data.  Using this program you can--
    
    		o Document the information sources you used,
    	   	  including details about the author, publisher,
    		  page, library, etc.
    
    		o Search, sort, or print the information by event
    		  (birth, marriage, military service, death, etc.)
    		  place, date, name of person, or relationship to
    		  others.
    
    	The Research Data Filer does not teach you research principles
    	or strategies; however, it does help organize research date
    	so that you can analyze it more efficiently.
    
    GEDCOM(Genealogical Data Communications)
    
    	This communications program performs the following:
    
    		o Converts all or part of your Family Records data
    		  into a transmission data format so that you can
    		  send it to another Personal Ancestral File user
    
    		o Transmits converted data to another Personal
    		  Ancestral File user
    
    		o Receives data from another Personal Ancestral
    		  File user
    
    		o Converts data received from another Personal
    		  Ancestral File user to the Family Records format
    		  for use on the receiving computer
    
    	GEDCOM can also be used to copy a portion of one of your
    	data diskettes onto another one.
    
    Please Note:
    
    	A few final words about Personal Ancestral File:
    
    		o Personal Ancestral File operates only on your
    		  personal computer, it does not provide access to
    		  any of the computer files in the Genealogical
    		  Department.
    
    		o Forms printed by the system will be accepted by
    		  the Genealogical Department for four-generation
    		  filing or for LDS temple ordinances.
    
    		o Personal Ancestral File enables you to group
    		  families together and link them from generation
    		  to generation based upon the relationships that
    		  you enter into the system.
    
    		o This genealogical software was developed as an
    		  aid for those who own or have access to a personal
    		  computer.  The Genealogical Department does not
    		  encourage you to purchase a personal computer
    		  simply to use this software.
    
    		o Those who have used release 1.0 for the IBM
    		  computer can convert their data for use with
    		  release 2.0
    
    Versions Available For:
    
    		o MS-DOS computers
    		o Apple computers
    		o CP/M computers
    
    Inquiries into system requirements of those and other versions
    should be addressed to:
    
    		Ancestral File Operations Unit
    		Genealogical Department
    		50 East North Temple Street
    		Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
    		(801) 531-2584
    
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    The above telephone number is the one I called when I placed my
    order. When the clerk answered, I simply told her I'd like to 
    order the Personal Ancestral File (TM) software.  It cost only
    $35.00 about 6 months ago and I doubt if the price has gone up
    since then.  I charged it on my Master Card.
    
    Does anyone know where I can get a computer that won't cost me
    a lot of money and will allow me to use this software?  I live 
    in Chelmsford, Massachusetts but I'd like to purchase it in 
    New Hampshire if at all possible (save on sales tax whenever possible).
                                           
    Hope this information has been helpful,
    
    Penny Sousa
    DTN 226-5550
    Littleton, MA facility (LKG2-A/W2)
    BAGELS::SOUSA
                 

    RE .1
    
    Thanks Rich, 

    The day that I had entered this note my wife, who has been keeping 
    journals since junior high, had decided to look in her journal and
    mine for dates when we had started our respective callings. I am
    ashamed to say that she had dates for all of both of our callings
    and looking in my journal I only had the date for one of mine.
    This is not a real supprise considering that the last entry in mine
    was April of 1985.
    
    After doing a lot of soul searching and reading the previous entries
    in my journal I have made a commitment to myself and my posterity(sp)
    that I will begin and continue to write in my journal. I want to
    thank you Rich, for reminding me how important a journal can be.
    
    Also a Thanks to Penny Sousa for mailing me a copy of the message
    that Scott also put in the previous reply. And thanks to Scott for
    posting the message.
    
    And I'd also like to thank my producer, the director and my agent
    Bernie for making it possible to recieve this.....
    Sorry sometimes I get carried away. 
    
    I have been in contact with the church software and distribution
    depts. reguarding PAF for Rainbows. It will run, but there is no
    offical distribution for the Rainbow. But, if you buy the 5 and
    1/4" package for the IBM PC the software dept. will convert the
    disks. If there's any interest I'll post the proceedure and necessary
    info.
    
    B.T.W. Penny, I ordered PAF ver 2.1 last week and I'll let you know
    how it runs. It may be awhile though, this package is on back order
    for at least 3 weeks. Sound familiar?
    
    Frank (who now keeps a journal) Mueller

    If your unit is using the MIS software and the clerk staff is on
    it's toes, the current unit organization information should be in
    the data files.
    
    This data, among other stuff should be stored in the MIS system
    so the bishop or branch president can get an accurate picture of
    who holds what positions in the ward.
    
    I would have entered this information earlier if I would have known
    about it.  I was just released as membership clerk and am now the
    executive secretary and am learning about the other aspects of the
    MIS software package.  As a membership clerk, I was only concerned
    with the individual and family records and not the other "features"
    of the package and now I get to learn about these other features.
    
    scott  

I heard that the Church is removing the computers from all the temples
because they are too expensive to operate.

Does anyone know if this is true?

What kind of computers are used in the temples?

Don Gurr
Vancouver, B.C.

    I don't have any information (yet) to back this up, but I would
    doubt that it is true.  
    
    Trememdous advances in genealogical work are taking place (even as 
    we speak), one of which is to allow members to do work for their 
    ancesters in a much more efficient fashion than was previously 
    possible.  Instead of waiting a year or so after submitting names 
    to Salt Lake, you should be able to have a 24-hour turnaround (or 
    better) for doing your temple-work.
    
    This should be available soon (at a temple near you).
    
    Best Regards,
    
    Frank

	Computers have been removed from the Atlanta Temple.

	The rumor our bishop heard and suggested as a possibility
	that they want to be able to run the temples without electricity.
	Whether or not that is true, we have no idea.

    
    Interesting, I didn't know that.  (I guess it's time to head back to 
    the temple).  8^)
    
    Many temples have a building adjacent to the temple for administrative
    functions, genealogical work, etc.  Perhaps the computers will be kept 
    there rather than in the temple itself.
    
    Thanks for keeping us informed.
    
    Best Regards,
    
    Frank

    	The Oakland Temple was recently renovated. They still use the
    computers except they are no longer used for tracking the names 
    before and after the sessions. It was a problem because sometimes
    people forgot to enter the card when done.
    
    	Ken

    I asked about this and learned that the computers were costing far too
    much when compared to the amount of effort they were saving. 
    Apparently they can save enough money in a year to build another
    temple... or so I heard.
    
    /Don Ius

    Russel, 
    
    Pls, could you explain in more detail the new architecture ?
    What is the new Unix hardware to be used in the Temples ?
    
    Finally a new man is changing the things in the IS Church HQ. I'm
    a former IS Manager for the Church Office in Brasil and left the
    office when they choosed a HP 9000 to run the CIMS systems in Brasil.
    I didn't agree with the decision. Now three years after installed
    the situation is cahotic...
    
    Thanks a lot in advance for your informations and time. The Lord
    will bless you for the good work done in the Church IS Office.
    
    Marco Aur�lio Bueno
    EIS/Industry Consultant @BZO
     

    The church architecture principles are as follows:
    
    Mission
    
    1 The mission of the church is to bring to pass the immortality
    and eternal life of man.
    2 The Church has a three fold mission.  (This is what was explained
    by Pres. Kimball)
    
    Policy
    
    1 Presiding councils will determin essential functions
    2 Correlation will be used to ensure order and alignment
    3 The essential functions of the church will be guided using the
    perspective of the Stake President.
    4 Presiding councils will guide invenstment of church resources.
    
    Information
    
    1 The Church will maintain on the informatino which is doctrinally
    required.
    2 Sound methods will be used to ensue accuracy ,etc.
    3 Information will be collected, processed and stored as close to
    source as possible.
    4 Information will be managed to ensure it is used for approved
    Church purposes.
    
    Systems
    
    1 Systems will support and sustain essential church functions.
    2 Systems sill be designed for local priesthood leaders but accomdate
    headquarters needs.
    3 Manual or automated systems will be privided that are most cost
    effective over time.
    4 Church systems will ensure a one time capturing of information.
    
    Technology
    
    1 The technology used will be selected for maximum benefit over
    time.
    2 Only proven technology will be used.
    3 Technology will be used only when users are ready.
    4 Technology will be used only when a manual system is not viable
    or simpler.
    
    
    I have somewhat condensed these statements.  Many appear to be obvious
    and many are currently used.  This is the first time that they have
    been formally specified.  I think that the church is on the right
    track.  Some of the interesting things that are mentioned are that
    initial price is no longer of highest concern.  Rather the cost
    of the equipment over time is more important.
    The current plan is to replace the current systems over the next
    5 years.  .-1 mentioned the temple system.  They have not said what
    migration paths all current systems will take.  That is still being
    worked out.  In fact the new system is just being implemented in
    many temples.   We'll have to see where its going.

    
    Please remember this is for internal use only.
    
    Later,
    Russell Murray

    interesting, 

    now as ward finance clerk I understand the recent changes in how data
    gets handled, and why they haven't done more.  I thought it was because
    of the limitations of the programmer. :)  Good thing I just logged in
    here tonight and saw this, I think a few more sessions on FIS and my
    Bishop would have had me in his office asking me to be a little more
    reverent while entering the data.

    So tell me, any plans to use our new imaging system, DECimage Express,
    in the Church.  I happen to be the Quote manager for it and see a great
    potential for it.  (of course)  What about imaging overall, is there
    anything going on there.

    rich allen

    They are just at the beginning stages of looking at imaging.  There are
    several departments looking at it though.  I'll keep you posted.
    
    Russell

                  (Thanks to Lee Wrede for the article)

                   "DECtp helps build Mormon database"
                     Computerworld, 6/24/91 page 27
                       Maryfran Johnson, CW Staff

SALT LAKE CITY - of all their worldly goods, information ranks among the 
most precious to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 
Saints, whose vast collection of genealogical records have made them the 
world's largest consumers of microfilm, and microfiche.

Now a beta-test user of new Digital Equipment Corp. software, which 
delivers transaction processing capabilities to MS-DOS desktop computers, 
the Mormon Church's information systems department hopes to extend user 
access to historical records and save money in the process.

The church, with 7.5 million members worldwide and an expanding network of 
nearly 70 VAXs, is one of a handful of early users of DECtp Desktop for 
ACMS, which stands for Application Control and management System (see 
chart).

		****************************************************

		DESKTOP TOOL
		DEC's DECtp Desktop for ACMS (Application Control
		and Management System) has the following features:

		� Layered software product that enables users of
		  Apple Computer, Inc. Macintoshes and PCs with
		  MS-DOS and Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 3.0 to access
		  commercial transaction processing applications on
		  a multivendor network.

		� Will eventually support UNIX and VMS on desktop
		  machines

		� Available now, priced at $245 per client license

		� Increases user capacity and saves money by offloading
		  work from larger VAXs to PCs, according to beta-
		  test user, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
		  Saints in Salt Lake City.

		****************************************************

"Desktop for ACMS will enable us to use PCs instead of terminals to access 
applications on the big VAXs, so we can offload those more expensive cycles 
and get more user capacity as well," said David McRae, a development 
manager for the church.

"What is really attractive to us is the ability to sit at a PC and call up 
part of the historical database or summon other applications from other 
departments within the church," added Larry Yurth, a technology analyst in 
charge of Desktop for ACMS development for the church.  The layered 
software product lets application programs running on MS-DOS, Apple 
Computer, Inc. Macintoshes or Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 3.0 access ACMS 
applications via a built-in desktop programming interface.

The Mormon Church is working with DEC on a joint client/server project, 
designing applications under ACMS that will make it possible to distribute 
it's massive historical database and other information on the church's 
multivendor computer network.  The project's main task is to establish 
better ways to track and then automate historical data - now stored on 
microfilm or fiche - about the church's organization at the local and 
regional levels.

"We are trying to create a development environment that responds to the 
needs of the church, and we really want to develop systems that preserve 
our investment," Yurth said.  "We believe client/server technology promises 
fairly scaleable systems, so we can build small and grow larger, without a 
lot of application rewrite."

For users, he likens the project's end result to a Timex watch:  "So easy to 
use, because all the complexity is under the faceplate."

                ****************************************************

		"Desktop for ACMS will enable us to use PCs instead
		of terminals to access applications on the big VAXs,
		so we can offload those more expensive cycles and
		get more capacity as well."

                ****************************************************

While the church has come to rely on VAXs more heavily over the past six 
years, an Amdahl Corp. mainframe is still the main processor for financial, 
accounting and research needs at the church's main genealogical library, 
the Family History Center here.  A DEC Vaxcluster may eventually take over 
Amdahl's role as the church unifies its computing environment over the next 
five years, but Yurth said no final decisions had been made.

Last year, the Mormons began distributing CD-ROM discs - spun off of the 
mainframe database - to their 1,100 family history centers in the U.S.  The 
discs include the Family History Library Catalog and the International 
Genealogical Index, which has data on more than 150 million Mormons and 
their ancestors.  Also available is an Ancestral File, which collects and 
links the lineages of more than 6 million people.

Peter Schay, an analyst at Gartner Group, Inc. in Stamford, Conn., said 
Desktop for ACMS is really "just the tip of the iceberg" in DEC's unfolding 
strategy for client/server computing.

"Putting DECforms on the PC is where DEC is really going," Schay said, 
explaining that DECforms is a screen formatting package for on-line 
transaction processing.  "It does the layout of forms on the screens, the 
fill-in-the-blank stuff that takes a lot of expensive VAX cycles today."

Corporate users of ACMS are also watching the product with interest, 
particularly because DEC is promising to move the next major release of the 
desktop version to VMS workstations and UNIX-based platforms.

"We would like to be in a situation where a user who needs more than a dumb 
terminal could offload ACMS applications off the VAXs onto workstations," 
said Ingvar Petursson, chief information officer at McCaw Cellular 
Communications, Inc. in Kirkland, Wash.

    We just had friends from SLC visiting.  He works in the Records Dept of
    the Presiding Bishopric's Office.  The Church is now totally DEC, they
    got rid of the Amdahl equipment.
    
    

    
                           -< Church - all DEC now >-

>   We just had friends from SLC visiting.  He works in the Records Dept of
>    the Presiding Bishopric's Office.  The Church is now totally DEC, they
>    got rid of the Amdahl equipment.
    
    
    re .-1   Not quite yet, although we hope it won't take a long time. 
    Both the AMdahl and the CDC machines are still here.   Perhaps what
    your friend meant was that there is to be no new development on the
    Amdahl.  Finance is one of the departments that is a DEC user.
    
    
    Later,
    Russell Murray
    On site Specialist.