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General => Technical Help => Family History Programs, Tree Organisation, Presentation => Topic started by: netnet on Saturday 20 March 04 09:53 GMT (UK)
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I've just ordered family tree maker 11 can anyone tell me if it's any good.
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I have family tree maker 10 and I haven't any problems with it.
Some people dislike FTM due to its Americanised wording, but on the whole I am happy with it.
Jen ;)
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I have recently updated from FTM8.0 to FTM11 and have found the upgrade most worthwhile.
I have been using FamilyTreeMaker for four years and have had few problems.
Elizabeth
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I found FTM 11 very good. I have now upgraded to FTM 2005 and this is even better. If you use ancestry then there is an automatic web search for people from FTM 2005. I now see FTM 2006 is being advertised. Is it worth upgrading?
Alex
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FTM is a very simple program, and works well if you just want a basic record of the family. But don't look to be able to do much beyond that.
It fails when it comes to a number of points...there is a website that spells out many of the problems - http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/5802/WARTS/index.html
Most genie software (eg Legacy) will be due for major revision soon, brought on by proposed changes to Microsoft software. This is the time to have your say, if you want.
Paul
Australia
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I have ftm 2005 but someone has given me a tree in the 2006 version my version will not view it can it be converted????
Jim
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Not directly (FTM keep moving the goalposts). Ask the giver to make a GEDCOM file from their data, and send you that. It should work, but no guarantees....
Paul
Australia
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I'm still using FTW 6 and I will not be buying anymore upgrades. It seems to me that you are locked into buying upgrades for the rest of your life. Personally I've decided to write my own software in Javascript and HTML so that it can be read by anyone with a browser. Cost = £0.
Obviously that is not a solution that everyone can do as not everyone wants to or is able to write their own software.
In addition to bringing out a new version every year they also have another money making wheeze. After entering your data you may get prompted to send a copy of your family tree to the World Family Tree program out in cyber space. I did this a few years ago (naively). I thought I might have a look at what I contributed a few years back when my tree only had a couple of hundred names in it. Guess what? I am not allowed to see the data I have contributed unless I take out a subscription with a company called genealogy.com. So not only did I spend a lot of time and money gathering the data they also got my data free of charge and now want to charge me access my own data!
downside
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Get a free copy of Legacy. Its modest, but has few problems. You don't really need the full version...and if you want, you can make all the reports you want because the data is stored in Microsoft Access database format.
Paul
Australia
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I have FTM version 6. In what respect do the later versions differ?
What added 'extras' are there? Just curious. Poli
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Hi Polidor
Have a look at their website, there is a demo of all the new features:
http://www.familytreemaker.com/
It's mainly web and multimedia stuff that they have added.
downside
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I have FTM version 3. I'm reluctant to buy a newer version because I don't like the look of it and the newer versions don't seem to do anything else. I had a look at the product tour and where it shows the pedigree view but it shows the names as buttons. On my version it shows them as a box where I have their birth, marriage and death dates and places, which is very helpful. It also didn't show the descendants view or the all in one view. I also don't like how on the pedigree view it only shows 6 generations and then you have to click the arrow to show the rest - On my version I just click on me and go to ancestors and it'll show all of them, which I can then print off. There doesn't seem to be a print preview on the newer version either.
From the product tour all I can see is that my version, probably about 10 years older, has everything I need (apart from an all in one tree printout, which I'd like) but is far more practical and convenient.
I have to say that from watching the product tour, it didn't make me want to buy it and didn't tell me enough about it to make it a necessity to buy.
Even though the newer version has a web search, I certainly wouldn't use the merge button because that would be assuming that the other person's research is correct, which virtually makes that feature obselete to me.
Andrew
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Middle of this year I purchased Family Tree Maker 2006 Collectors Edition. Have now been notified that there is a two disc update. Can anyone tell me if it is worth purchasing and what it actually contains? Notification received was of course from America but not much information as to contents and price in £ sterling. I am quite happy with FTM but have had some problems with gedcom files, which totally screwed up my other files. Luckily I back up all my data to disc so was able to retrieve it. Any advise as to where these updates can be purchased and are they worth buying? Maeve
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Hi Maeve
had some problems with gedcom files, which totally screwed up my other files
I'm a little puzzled and concerned by this statement. I have the old FTM version 6.0. When I double click on a gedcom file someone has sent me, FTM is launched and the gedcom import box comes up and you click OK and the import process begins. When you close FTM down it opens the new file by default the next time you run FTM. You then have to click and File and Open from the toolbar menu at the top left hand corner of the screen to reopen your old file.
I've not had any problems with opening gedcom files or gedcom files 'screwing up' my main surname.ftw file.
1) Were you trying to merge files when things went wrong?
2) Did you overwrite your old file with the new file?
downside
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I downloaded the gedcom file as a new file. Opened it, read it, no problem. The problem occured when I tried to open one of my existing files. It had disappeared entirely. I managed to import it from my back up file but had to fiddle with it to get it to show information. Got it back by clicking on the "Index" button. I did not try and merge the file as most of the information I had already. I just added the bits which were relevant. I have had several messages from contacts refusing to accept files sent as gedcom as they seem to have had similar problems. Any comments as to so called "new" updates to FTM Collectors Edition?
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I have family tree maker 06 and find it does what I need. I have not tried the advanced stuff like building my own web site. If you have an ancestry subscription it will look for census information for you but won't find mistranscriptions,
It is worth noting that the "who do you think you are disk" available for about £10.00 is bascally family tree maker 05 and a very good buy.
Anne
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I've had FTM v6 for nearly four years now without a problem...bought it in Boyes....it came in a Folder with 8 discs...(mostly regarding American stuff) it only cost me £2.50...I'm not complaining... it does what I need......
When I first got it and installed it, I went through the process (like ya do) of Registering it etc., etc.,......I have never heard a word from Broderbund to this day... ;D ;D...if you think they are interested then think again.....
Has anyone ever received any kind of feedback from Broderbund other than trying to sell you something you don't need.........because I haven't.... ;D ; ;D
Kipper.
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Hi Michael
No I have never had them contact me.
FTM is owned by myfamily.com these days.
If that figure of £2.50 is correct then you most certainly got a bargain.
downside
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http://www.myfamilyinc.com/default.aspx?html=overview will tell you a bit.
FTM have perfected the art of annual releases (I hesitate to say upgrades) and they are most adept at building an empire from small purchases.
A friend of mine uses FTM4 - it works just as well as my version 12, and probably better than the current offering.
Web-based computing is starting to affect sales - to see some examples, go to http://phpgedview.sourceforge.net/ and look down the left side to see "Sites using.." Stick a pin in somewhere, look around.
This type of program is a lot more flexible than the standard home-computer variety, and its free.
Paul
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Hi Michael
No I have never had them contact me.
FTM is owned by myfamily.com these days.
If that figure of £2.50 is correct then you most certainly got a bargain.
downside
Thats what I paid for it.....Boyes were selling them off....I can't remember what the original price was supposed to be...it was over four years ago... ;D
Michael72.
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Hi Michael
I paid £29.68 inc vat and delivery from jungle.com 27/01/2001.
I don't know how Boyes made a profit? What profit? Even if you bought a box of 10 blank CD's and copied the data from a legitimate copy of FTM version 6.0 you would would hard pressed to make any profit.
downside
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I have FTM maker 2006 the basic version. Only cost £5.99 from Morrisons. It is in the Who do You Think You Are box.
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Hi tawny75
The basic version is the best one to get. I got the deluxe 8-CD set which is mostly a waste of money as it has 6 CD's of Amercian vital data all of which is irrelevant to me.
It looks like I was ripped off!
downside
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At the beginning of the year, I bought FTM Collectors Edition, priced over £60.00 from PC World. I am happy with it but after reading the other comments on this site, I will certainly not buy the upgrade which is on offer. I will stay with what I have until they come up with something that is usable and geared for the UK market, not American. Regards Maeve
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I paid alot more than 2.50 (in Australia) to upgrade from V5 to V11. I'll never upgrade again - the only new benefit was the ability to export some data to excel, which I did find handy but not worth what I paid. I don't use any of the internet features - I simply use the program to store my family data. It is VERY simple to learn & use - I tried a few different programs, but decided to stay with what is simple & easy.
I have absolutely no trouble importing new GED files and creating new FTM files. I rarely merge files, but have done a couple of times (always create a copy of the files before merging).
Trish
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I'm also running FTM 2006 having upgraded from 2005.
It's major drawback as far as I am concerned is that I can't create web pages from it.
At the moment I export a GEDCOM into either Legacy or personal ancestry, both of which do but if anyone knows a better way I'd be glad to hear it.
Peter
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Well that's good to know then....when I didn't get any sort of response from Broderbund, I thought it might have been something I'd said... ;D ;D ;D ;D
I must say though, it was a Godsend when I came across it....I had been muddling through collating stuff on note-pads and bits of paper for about a year and I had only just bought a Computer and started trying to get my Tree in some semblance of order using Word.....the job became much simpler and manageable, and before long everything was in order and in place for easy access....
So I must thank FTM at least for that.....
Michael72.
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PSB,
Have you tried TribalPages.com I have created my website on there, I think it is really good, but then mu technological knowhow is miniscule.
Just a suggestion
Nicky
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Nicky
I was only looking at the site this morning. Some of the examples are very impressive.
If their software does all of the work from a simple GEDCOM file, then I might be tempted, but I'm sure it can't be that simple.
This is the link that I was given
http://www.tribalpages.com/tpShowcase.html
Peter
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Honestly it does. I will PM you the link to my tree and you can have a look. I honestly did not ahve to do anything, it is idiot proof!
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That looks good. Tell us about it from yuor perspective:
It is produced from a GEDCOM?
You can edit it?
Obviously you can password it
Can you allow others to amend it?
Can you download a revised copy to your computer for "home" use?
Does it cost?
Are there any limits- seem to be some big files there!
Paul
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Yes it is produced from Gedcom
I can edit it as much as I like
Yes you can password it
Not sure about others amending it, but if you gave them your seperate user id and password they could
To down load a ged com you have to upgrade to the next level $19 a year but I only use the free part
It is free for the basic site like mine, but I can upload up to 50 pictures. BY upgrading to the one mentioned above you can have 250 pictures I think
I haven't come across any limits as yet.
Nicky
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Excellent summary! Thank you.
Anyone else care to share their experience with this?
Paul
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If you look at this thread, it was a Rootschatter who told me about it ...
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,190832.0.html
I love Rootschat, I have only been on here a couple of weeks and I have learned so much already!
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Tribal pages is a very easy way to allow others to access your tree and you can password it have been using this site for about 2 years
Jim
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I have got a new computor with Vista.
I have FTM11 on my old one and have now found it is not compatabile with Vista.
Will I have to update FTM. Was happy with the one I had :-\
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The short answer is - probably.
However, I'd be inclined to try for a copy of FTM2005 - which works fine on Vista. I don't recall which version 2005 is, but maybe get in touch with TWR Computing. Don't buy the latest version!
Paul
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I upgraded from 5 to 11 some years ago - and found minimal changes - wondered why I bothered as in my world it was quite expensive.
I would thus agree with Paul - if you have, or can find a version of 5 it should suit - there may be a problem with backward compatibility, but could probably be handled via gedcom conversion, if nothing else.
I haven't used vista, & you have given me another reason to stay with what I have for the time being.
Trish
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I have got a new computor with Vista.
I have FTM11 on my old one and have now found it is not compatabile with Vista.
Will I have to update FTM. Was happy with the one I had :-\
If you get hold of a copy of 2005 or 2006 then you need to download a patch for use with Vista, if you visit http://pastftm.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/pastftm.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php then the first topic is the article and link to the vista patch.
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I upgraded from 5 to 11 some years ago - and found minimal changes - wondered why I bothered as in my world it was quite expensive.
I would thus agree with Paul - if you have, or can find a version of 5 it should suit - there may be a problem with backward compatibility, but could probably be handled via gedcom conversion, if nothing else.
I haven't used vista, & you have given me another reason to stay with what I have for the time being.
Trish
Well I sure misread all that (5 Vs 2005) - so please ignore my comment - wonder if someone has a patch for V11?
Trish
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Many thanks to those that replied.
Have now found that there is no Windows Vista compatibility update for Family Tree Maker 11 and earlier.
http://past.familytreemaker.com/vistaupdate/
So disappointing :(
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The short answer is - probably.
However, I'd be inclined to try for a copy of FTM2005 - which works fine on Vista. I don't recall which version 2005 is, but maybe get in touch with TWR Computing. Don't buy the latest version!
Paul
I see the FTM2005 is less expensive so will try that.
Many thanks
Sue
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Hi Sue
Have you tried running the Windows Vista Program Compatibility Wizard?
http://www.rootschat.com/links/053x/
If not it might be worth a try :)
Heather