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General => Technical Help => Family History Programs, Tree Organisation, Presentation => Topic started by: snowy owl on Sunday 05 October 14 16:30 BST (UK)
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Hi
I am considering purchasing Apple Ipad or android tablet and am currently using Family Historian which appears not to run on either. Can you recommend a program i can use which I can then transfer my current ged com files to.
I tried the free app on my daughter's ipad but couldn't get my data on it. I'm not computer savvy!!!!
Thanks
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I like Family Bee for Android, which works with GEDCOM files. It's read-only so you can't change your files when out and about (some would see this as an advantage) but you can make notes to incorporate in your main program later.
Arthur
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Thanks that;s ok but I want to be able to use it like I do on my laptop but not buy a laptop as I fancy the tablet for other uses.
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I like Family Bee for Android, which works with GEDCOM files. It's read-only so you can't change your files when out and about (some would see this as an advantage) but you can make notes to incorporate in your main program later.
Arthur
Thanks for that Arthur. I might have a look at that as an alternative to GEDmill,
which generates a suite of web pages that I transfer over to my Android tablet for reference purposes.
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Thanks that;s ok but I want to be able to use it like I do on my laptop but not buy a laptop as I fancy the tablet for other uses.
I'm not sure what your options would be, then. A key question is whether you see the tablet as a complete replacement for your laptop, or whether you want to use both. If you're using both, you'll need to find some way of sycnhronising data between the tablet app and whatever program you have on the laptop.
Arthur
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Thanks Arthur
Yes I have a laptop which often used by other members of the family so the tablet would be in addition to that. However if there is all encompassing software I could "ditch" the laptop?
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It's worth looking at Heredis which I use on my iPad. It was free when I downloaded the app and seems quite versatile, although I tend to use it only for reference
Steve
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Thanks Steve Ill have a look at that
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Although the field is growing in both Android and iPad it is still relatively limited I use Gedview and Heredis on the iPad.
If you visit the Family Historian User Group website there are various discussions about tablets and the various Apps available.
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Thanks all .
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I also use Heredis on ipad, i have bought the programme for PC so that i could sync the two. There is a trial version available for PC or mac.
Very pleased with how clear it shows on ipad and like the fact that it can be sync'd both ways
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To help you research this, you might find it useful to look at the Genealogy Software Reviews website - http://www.gensoftreviews.com - which covers everything you'll have ever heard of and much more besides. In your case you'll need to select the Handheld platform option, but there are reviews for Windows and Mac software as well, plus of course links to developers' websites for further information.
Arthur
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Thanks everyone, I have concluded that the ipad or tablet is great for a reference tool out and about but not as a primary source for inputting data. I'll stick to what I know - Family Historian is a good program and if you are inputting data or wanting to analyse your existing tree you really need a bigger screen.
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To help you research this, you might find it useful to look at the Genealogy Software Reviews website - http://www.gensoftreviews.com - which covers everything you'll have ever heard of and much more besides. In your case you'll need to select the Handheld platform option ...
I did just that, and it came up with only one program, and that one is for an iGadget, not an android. I note that the app store has quite a number of genealogy apps, but none of them are mentioned let alone reviewed on that site.
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To help you research this, you might find it useful to look at the Genealogy Software Reviews website - http://www.gensoftreviews.com - which covers everything you'll have ever heard of and much more besides. In your case you'll need to select the Handheld platform option ...
I did just that, and it came up with only one program, and that one is for an iGadget, not an android. I note that the app store has quite a number of genealogy apps, but none of them are mentioned let alone reviewed on that site.
That's strange - I went to the site, left the Search box blank, then with the filtering boxes on the left I left the first and third at All Licenses and All Types, and in the middle one selected Handheld, and it gave me 112 results.
Arthur
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Oh well, I will try again when I get home. Thanks.
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Wow. I even find a (BIG, 17") laptop slightly limiting for Genealogical purposes.
I use an ex-company Dell Vostro 1700.
http://www.pocket-lint.com/review/70115-dell-vostro-1700-laptop-notebook
I tend to want a couple of note pad windows open, 2-3 image viewing windows, image processing (for cropping and/or enhancement), PDF viewer, database (Gramps in my case), along with a web browser with 7-12 tabs open.
I don't think a tablet would suit geneaology the way I do it at all.
BugBear
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I agree with bugbear, that a tablet is not as good as a laptop (or PC) for genealogy use.
I have just recently purchased one, and even though I have internet roaming access, and an online database, it is just too awkward to use in situ. I only now use it as a mobile notepad, and then transcribe those notes into my family tree using my laptop, where I have the opportunity to have other windows open for reference and cross checking.
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I agree altogether. I use a netbook (small laptop) for actual research, and use Dropbox to transfer files from that to my desktop, which is what I work on at home. I'm only interested in having information on the tablet so that it is readily portable for showing to other people.