family tree maker

[GenealogyPrinters]

The main problem with upgrading the version of FTM that you are using is that you can't go back.  This can create major problems if you try to send anything, in particular gedcoms, to anyone who hasn't upgraded.

David

A gedcom file will be the same, it does not matter what version you use to create or open it, a file saved as .FTW is as you say, not forwards compatable but it is backwards compatable

[c-side]

I'm still running with 2006 but when I upgraded to that one I did so from version 4!!!  It didn't even belong to Ancestry back then.  I was very anxious and did back ups etc. but the whole thing slipped seamlessly over the top of my old version and I didn't lose a thing.

I don't know whether this would still be the case.

If you're still having difficulty doing a back up to CD why don't you just copy the whole thing to CD from outside the program - through windows explorer or a CD copying program?

[downside]

This topic was covered recently here:-

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,408870.0.html

Just substitute the CD drive for the memory stick.

Basically, you just import your old .FTW file into the new version of FTM and it will upgrade your data file.

[behindthefrogs]

The main problem with upgrading the version of FTM that you are using is that you can't go back.  This can create major problems if you try to send anything, in particular gedcoms, to anyone who hasn't upgraded.

David

A gedcom file will be the same, it does not matter what version you use to create or open it, a file saved as .FTW is as you say, not forwards compatable but it is backwards compatable

You are right. I twitched as I typed gedcom and of course meant an .FTW file.

David

[jeannie1000cc]

Hi Haydon,

I purchased the FTM 2010 "Essentials" version from amazon. I'm okay with computers but no techie, I usually let my husband do all the tweaking. But being too anxious to wait for his arrival from work, I popped in the disc within minutes of opening the package. Installation was super-simple. This version will not overwrite your older version. You can open and save older version files with the new version.

The 2010 version really doesn't do more than the older version in terms of data management, and while I haven't had enough time yet to explore new features, I really do like the new views. Tree, family & parents, index of individuals all on one screen is a pro, reports & charts being no more flexible to customize is a con.

Jeannie

[downside]

This version will not overwrite your older version. You can open and save older version files with the new version.

This seems to be a muddled statement.  Presumably you have the latest version of FTM so you cannot have an older version to overwrite?

What I should point out is that FTM will import an earlier version as there is backwards compatibility and then upgrade your datafile to the latest version.  So effectively it does overwrite (upgrade) your old datafile.  In other words you cannot use your upgraded file with an earlier version of FTM once you have upgraded it.

[jeannie1000cc]

Hi Haydon,

I've been using FTM for almost ten years, just upgraded for the first time in five years to the 2010 version. I've only just installed it, but it seems you can open old FTM files and save them as 2010 version, and backup on any drive available on your computer, whether a hard disk, floppy, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.

BTW, 2010 has new views and other features, easier to use.

Jeannie

Good evening downside,

I had mentioned my past experience with the program in an earlier post. This is actually the third version I've owned. 2010 saves older versions as a 2010 file. The original file is neither revised nor replaced. Obviously changes made to the 2010 file will not reflect in the original (older version) file. You are correct, 2010 files can only be opened with the 2010 version, I did not suggest otherwise...

Jeannie