The objectives of this new website are to provide the first place for members to go for information about GSQ and its events, services and resources; and, for the public and potential members, a first point of contact. The site should provide accurate and timely information, and create a good first impression. Another key principle is that the site should be easy to maintain and update from GSQ.

The Society’s website has served us for the past 12 years, and has become difficult to maintain and keep up to date. The design has become a bit dated and the Management Committee felt it needed a fresh look. Our thanks to Mary Brettell for the work she has done to design and maintain the website over the years.

New technology will be used in the form of a Content Management System known as Joomla!, free software available online.

The new site will be developed in two stages. Stage 1 will have e-commerce facilities; through the use of a secure PayPal account; to encourage members and visitors to buy items and pay for services electronically. Society activities will be listed in an Events Calendar. Current GSQ news will be published, as will Internet sites interesting and useful to family historians.
 
GSQ is also setting up social networking pages in Facebook and Twitter, to keep members and interested people advised of the Society’s activities.

Extra features will come later in Stage 2. These will include a complete revamp of the members research interests published in the current website. A ‘members only’ section is being planned, which will provide access to additional resources as an extra membership benefit.