In this chapter, we'll begin with the basics. We'll show you how to start &app; and how to get help when you need it. You can start &app; in the following ways: From the Applications menu Select &app; from the list of programs displayed in your computer's Applications menu. (The location and appearance of this menu vary slightly from one distribution of Linux to another. On the default GNOME desktop, you'll find &app; in the ApplicationsOther menu. From the command line If you're adept with Linux and like to work from the command line, you can start &app; by calling up a terminal window, typing gramps, and then pressing Enter. If you would like GRAMPS to open a specific database or to import a specific file on startup, you can supply the filename as a command line argument: gramps filename.grdb where filename.grdb is the name of the file you want to open. The command line provides many more ways to start &app; and perform different tasks. The detailed reference to the command line options is found in . The first time you run the program, GRAMPS will display the "Getting Started" dialogs. Follow the directions that guide you through Researcher information, Numerical date formats, Alternate calendar support, and the LDS extensions sections. You should find them to be self-explanatory. We'll make frequent reference in this manual to dialogs. A dialog is simply a pop-up window into which you can enter information. We recommend you enter your personal information when GRAMPS prompts you for it. GRAMPS uses this information strictly so it can create valid GEDCOM output files (which require information about the files' creator). If you wish, you can choose not to supply this information, but be aware that unless and until you do, any GEDCOM files you export will not be valid.

Shows Researcher Information Window.

This information can be entered at any time in the Preferences dialog, under the Database/Researcher Information category. If &app; is started without a database selected, the following window will appear prompting you to choose one to open.

Shows Open Database Window.

To open a database that you have recently opened, choose the top selection, select your database from the menu and click OK. To open an existing database you have not recently opened, choose the middle selection and click OK. &app; will then ask you to specify the name of the database you wish to open. As you might guess, to create a new database, choose "Create a new database" If you're familiar with version 1.0.X of GRAMPS, you'll note that version 2.0 does not require you to select a directory in which to store the database. GRAMPS has a Help menu that you can consult at any time. It includes the following items: User manual An electronic version of the manual that you can access while you work in GRAMPS. FAQ A list of Frequently Asked Questions about &app;. GRAMPS home page A link to the GRAMPS' project web site. GRAMPS mailing lists Gives you direct access to GRAMPS' mailing list archives. Report a bug Choose this item to file a bug report in our bug tracking system. (Remember, &app; is a living project. We want to know about any problems you encounter so we can work to solve them for everyone's benefit.) Show plugin status Use this item to display the status of any plugins you may have added. Open example database Select this item to load the example database that is included in your GRAMPS package. This database is composed of fictitious people and serves as a useful example for learning how to work with GRAMPS.