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Archiver > QUEBEC-RESEARCH > 2010-12 > 1292682939


From: "April G. Durett" <>
Subject: Re: [Q-R] Does anyone use Family Tree Maker?
Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2010 08:35:39 -0600
References: <mailman.513.1292486447.8794.quebec-research@rootsweb.com> <486312.41753.qm@web114502.mail.gq1.yahoo.com><3AA782FB-D685-4B77-8012-0905B4254E1B@comcast.net>
In-Reply-To: <3AA782FB-D685-4B77-8012-0905B4254E1B@comcast.net>


Thought I'd toss in my 2ยข. I have been using a version of FTM since I
started genealogy about 15 years ago. With each version I checked out the
updates and from my point of view they were more cosmetic than functional,
so I only upgraded when it was necessary. I have been using, and been happy
with v2005 until recently. My sister purchased a new computer, complete
with Windows 7. She was having graphic issues with Win7 and other programs,
even the browsers (IE, Mozilla and Chrome). I finally pinpointed it to
after her use of FTM2005. With investigation, the only solution was to
purchase FTM 2011, as v2005 was no longer supported technically and was not
compatible with Win7. In defense, I too decided to upgrade to 2011 as the
previous upgrades hadn't really caused me any pain. Additionally, when we
go on genealogy trips we take my laptop.

However, this version, while compatible with XP, is a completely different
platform and is taking a while to adjust. A similar experience to upgrading
from Microsoft 2003 to 2007/2010. It's there, just where is it; or my
personal favorite - why did they remove that feature!

I'm still new to the program and learning it's pluses and minuses. I
haven't been having the issues that other users have discussed as I never
used the 'book' program in any of the previous versions. I take the basic
facts and create my own reports using Word and PowerPoint. There are some
nice features, it is easier for me to view what facts need to be sourced and
the kinship box is a nice feature. I do find it a bit tedious to find the
familiar report templates (family group sheet) and to set up the new
preferences formats.

Bottom line, when you purchase a new computer and/or upgrade your OS, be
prepared that some of your programs will need to be upgraded - whether you
want to or not.

To answer the other part of the original query - FTM and Ancestry are
compatible. Ancestry owns FTM!

April G. Durett
Houston TX

If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance
...George Bernard Shaw


-----Original Message-----
From:
[mailto:] On Behalf Of Mary Lindemann
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 11:03 AM
To: S Gallagher
Cc:
Subject: Re: [Q-R] Does anyone use Family Tree Maker?

I recently changed from Windows/PC to MAC and bought the Mac Version of FTM.
What a shock! I hadn't upgraded for a few years so the change was
substantial. It took a while to finally make sense out of the "new to me"
program. That said, if I was just starting a family tree and hadn't had the
experience of using the previous version, I probably would have been much
better off.

As other responders have suggested, the newest versions are somewhat
intimidating. If you start a new file from scratch and follow the manual,
you shouldn't have too much trouble. That is the way I finally made sense
of the program. Started a new file and worked with building just one family
until I understood the new structure of the program. (for the techies out
there - the program went from a flat file database to a relational database
with all the quirks that can introduce)

I have had to fight a strong desire to return to my old PC and the old
version of FTM but, so far, I have been able to resist. I have searched for
other MAC genealogy software but haven't come up with anything that seems to
improve on FTM. The PC world has many more programs available than the MAC
world.

Mary Lindemann
Lacey, Washington



On Dec 16, 2010, at 1:39 PM, S Gallagher wrote:

> Does anyone use Family Tree Maker, and does it really integrate with
> Ancestry.com?. They have come out with a Mac version, so I'm thinking
about
> buying it. I don't have a family tree at home, because, I haven't found a
> program I like.
>
> Susan G in Oregon, USA
> -----------------------
> Our Pets
> http://inthedawghaus.tripod.com/
>
>
> Really Old Dead People (Genealogy)
> http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gallagher/index.html
> http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kroutsmith/
>
>
>
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