The newest, very coolest, addition is the Family Genealogy Section (GEDView).  After doing some extensive research on this type of software, what I finally found is quite simply amazing!!  If you don't believe me, I urge you to check it out for yourself.  This is definitely the place you want to go first.  This new add-on to the site will allow us to keep track of all the important facts about our familys like, birthdays, deaths, anniversaries, maiden names, graduations, addresses, special pictures, and a whole lot more.  All completely secure, and easily printed and organized into trees.  It is completely private to the outside world and they will only see the info of deceased family for security reasons.  This is why it is so important you sign up for an account. 

The main base site (Joomla) was upgraded to the newest/greatest version and this added a whole new level of security, flexibility, connectivity, and usability, to the entire site.  It is now much easier for non-geeks to figure out and actually use, yet is powerful enough to do what the hardcore web designers want to get done.  It does this all while maintaining the security we require in a data sensitive operation like a Family Web Site.  Again, this is why it is so important you sign up for an account, without an account you wont be able to see or do very much at all.

I am sure you have noticed the major changes to the theme.  I chose this theme because it allowed for the best integration of the Photo Section, and the Genealogy Section.  I also really liked that it was a nice wide layout that scales to the size of your screen.  I have always hated that really narrow design with all the wasted space on the left and right sides.

The Photo Site (Gallery2) has been fully integrated into the main site rather than being a stand-alone site requiring a seperate account.  If you have used this section before it will operate in exactly the same way as the old site, except that it is now integrated within our main web sites body.  This allows a single username and password to be used to sign into both sites and also keeps the look and feel of the main site on all of the Photo Site pages. You can check it out here.

Check out the Family Arcade.  It is a great way to waste a little time when you should be working.  If you play a game that is not listed, please let me know.  I have access to hundreds of games and I can probably found the one you like to play or a different version of one that is listed.  

We also added a Discussion Forum (phpBB).  These are great to discuss things in a little less public fashion instead of right on the main web site.  Don't get me wrong, if you have something to say on the main site, you are free do do so.  Just use the Submit Article link on the left if you are a registered user.

 I just added an Instant Chat option to the site.  It is called jPFChat.  This will be handy if we have a few members online and they either don't use a chat program already or want to only chat with family members and friends in a secure environment.

 The download section is also pretty handy.  Do you have a song, file, or short video of some kind you want to share with family or friends?  Do you want a place to store some private files of your own, then just check out the Family file section.  

The other cool thing we added was the Community Builder functionality.  This allows users to connect to each other on several different levels like address, age, name, website, forum or blog posts.  This combined with an Instant Message capability, and the ability to send emails in a private and secure way will really help to connect our users together.  No more trying to remember what that relatives email address was, just shoot them a message from our site instead!  Worried your sister will send out that next joke mail with your email address out there in public for every spammer in the world, not any longer.  Just use this site to contact other members.  No email addresses are ever exchanged unless you choose to make it public. You can check out this system called UddelIM here.

We also added RSS feeds.  These are great for cell phone users and other web site owners.  These RSS feeds can be used to add our info to other peoples web sites or for you to get a feed by email or right to your cell phone, desktop or other RSS enables devices. 

We also added a FAQ Section to store the questions we get the most or the articles that will help you learn how to use this site to the fullest.  Feel free to check these out as this section grows.

 That is all for now, I will update as needed here!!